Psalms 61:2-8

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.^[a]

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

6 Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations.

7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.

Psalms 61:2-8 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician upon Neginah, [A Psalm] of David. "Neginah" is either the beginning of a song, as Aben Ezra; or the musical note or tune of one: or rather the name of a musical instrument, which was touched by the hand, or with a quill or bow. It is the singular of "neginoth," See Gill on "Ps 4:1." This psalm was written by David, when at the end of the earth, or land of Judea, as appears from Psalm 61:2; either when he was fighting with the Syrians, as R. Obadiah, and so was composed about the same time with the former; or when he was in the land of the Philistines, being obliged to fly there from Saul, as Kimchi and others: or rather after he himself was king, since mention is made of the king in it; and when he fled from his son Absalom, and passed over to the other side of Jordan, and came to Mahanaim, 2 Samuel 17:22; where very probably he wrote this psalm. In it respect is had to the Messiah, as in Psalm 61:2; though Arama thinks it was composed after the prophecy came to Nathan that David should not build the temple; see Psalm 61:4.

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 6:2; Psalms 77:3
• 2. Psalms 18:2; Psalms 31:2; Psalms 94:22
• 3. Psalms 9:9; S Psalms 46:1; Psalms 62:7
• 4. Psalms 59:9; Proverbs 18:10
• 5. S Psalms 15:1; Psalms 23:6
• 6. S Deuteronomy 32:11; S Matthew 23:37; Psalms 91:4
• 7. S Numbers 30:2; Psalms 56:12
• 8. S Exodus 6:3; S Deuteronomy 33:9; Nehemiah 1:11; Psalms 102:15; Isaiah 59:19; Matthew 6:9; Psalms 86:11
• 9. 1 Kings 3:14
• 10. S Psalms 21:4
• 11. S Psalms 41:12; Luke 22:69; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1
• 12. Psalms 40:11
• 13. S Exodus 15:1; Psalms 7:17; Psalms 30:4; Psalms 65:1; Psalms 71:22
• 14. S Numbers 30:2; S Deuteronomy 23:21

Footnotes

• [a]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here.