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Verse
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Psalm chapter 61

English Standard Version

1To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; 2from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, 3for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. 4Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah 5For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! 7May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 8So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.
New International Version

1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2From 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.
3For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. 4I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
5For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6Increase the days of the king's life, his years for many generations.
7May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. 8Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.
New American Standard Bible

1Hear my cry, God; Give Your attention to my prayer. 2From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. 4Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah 5For You have heard my vows, God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name. 6You will prolong the king’s life; His years will be like generations. 7He will sit enthroned before God forever; Appoint faithfulness and truth that they may watch over him. 8So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may pay my vows day by day.
Christian Standard Bible

1God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. 2I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, 3for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy.
4I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah 5God, you have heard my vows; you have given a heritage to those who fear your name. 6Add days to the king's life; may his years span many generations. 7May he sit enthroned before God forever. Appoint faithful love and truth to guard him. 8Then I will continually sing of your name, fulfilling my vows day by day.
New Living Translation

1O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! 2From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
4Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude
5For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name. 6Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations! 7May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him. 8Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day.
King James Version

1{To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.} Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. 6Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. 7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. 8So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

What does Psalm chapter 61 mean?

Some of David's psalms are connected directly to historical events (Psalm 54; 59; 60). This song includes no such details. However, it refers to David being displaced and seeking a rocky sanctuary (Psalm 61:2). It also mentions his continued life and heritage (Psalm 61:6). It's possible that the song was composed after David's hasty evacuation during the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). David initially fled over the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:30) and headed to a fortified city, Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:24).

David begins this psalm with an appeal for the Lord to hear his requests. David's reference to "the end of the earth" may resemble the English phrase "in the middle of nowhere." Apparently, David was feeling displaced and could feel his confidence sagging. The Hebrew words speaking of a "faint heart" include the ideas of being overwhelmed, covered up, or of something collapsing. To counter that, David asks God to do what He has done in the past: to be a sanctuary against the enemy (Psalm 61:1–3).

During David's life, the ark of the covenant was kept in a tent—a "tabernacle"—which was the center of Israel's worship. The ark included images of angels spreading out their wings (Exodus 25:18–20). A common metaphor in Scripture is to be guarded under the Lord's "wings," as a mother bird would defend her young (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 63:7). In a sense, David is not only praying for the Lord's protection, but also expressing his desire to worship the Lord in the tabernacle. David knows that God has already given him victory and protection (Psalm 16:6; 2 Samuel 8:6), and that there are still people loyal to his rule (Psalm 61:4–5).

A large part of God's promises about David's kingship involved his descendants (2 Samuel 7:12–16). David's appeal here would include being allowed to live a longer life, but also evokes the idea that his successors are meant to keep the throne. The ultimate fulfillment of these comes in Jesus Christ: the Messiah and a descendant of King David. As he does in other songs (Psalm 22:25; 35:18), David looks ahead with confidence to the day when he will continue to praise and obey the Lord (Psalm 61:6–8).
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