Psalms 61:1-7

1 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;

2 from the end of the earth I call to thee, when my heart is faint. Lead thou me to the rock that is higher than I;

3 for thou art my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in thy tent for ever! Oh to be safe under the shelter of thy wings! [Selah]

5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows, thou hast given me the heritage of those who fear thy name.

6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!

7 May he be enthroned for ever before God; bid steadfast love and faithfulness watch over him!

Psalms 61:1-7 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.