Psalm 61:1

Confidence in God’s Protection

For the [music] director, upon stringed instruments. Of David.

1 Hear, O God, my cry; attend to my prayer.

Psalm 61:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 61:1

Hear my cry, O God
Being in distress; and which was vocally expressed with great fervency and importunity;

attend unto my prayer;
which psalm was made by him, and not for him; inwrought in his heart by the Spirit of God, and put up by him with a true heart and full assurance of faith, and related to his own case in particular. Aben Ezra thinks that the former word designs public prayer, vocally and openly expressed; and that this intends prayer in the heart, or mental prayer; both the Lord hears and attends unto, and is here requested; which is marvellous grace and condescension in him.

Psalm 61:1 In-Context

1 Hear, O God, my cry; attend to my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart grows faint. You will lead me to a rock [that is] higher than I.

3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower from the enemy.

4 Let me reside in your tent forever. Let me take refuge under the covering of your wings. Selah

5 For you, O God, you have heard my vows. You have given [me] the heritage of those who fear your name.

Footnotes

• [a] Reading with many Hebrew manuscripts and several translations
• [b] The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one