To the chief musician on neginah, a psalm of David
61:Title Neginah indicated stringed instruments.⚜
61
📚Hear my cry, O God.Listen to my prayer.
2 📚From the end of the earth
I will cry out to you,
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the rock that is
higher than I.
61:2 The words “ends of the earth” suggest that David was out of the land of Canaan when he wrote this. Some scholars think this was when he fled from there during the time of Absalom’s rebellion. In any case, it was a time of severe depression when his heart was overwhelmed with grief. This also suits the time of Absalom’s rebellion. David felt that he was sinking in a sea of troubles. There was a Rock of safety, but it was far above him and he was unable to climb on to it. This Rock is God Himself (Deut 32:4). He is the Saviour and security of His people in time of trouble. Standing on this Rock all the troubles, sorrows, and difficulties of earth cannot endanger us. Notice God Himself must place us on this rock (Ps 27:5; 40:2). It is all of grace.⚜
3 📚For you have been a shelter
for me and a
strong tower 📖 from the enemy.
4 📚I will abide in your tabernacle
forever.
I will trust in the shelter
of your wings 📖. Selah
5 📚For you, O God, have heard
my vows 📖.
You have given me
the heritage of those who
fear your name.
61:5 From here on it is as though David was on the high Rock, securely and calmly surveying the future.⚜
6 📚You will increase the days of
the king’s life,
and his years will be
for many generations.
7 📚He will abide in God’s presence
forever.
Oh, prepare mercy and truth,
to preserve him.
61:6-7 David himself could not expect to live on earth for many generations, indeed forever (v 7). These verses may refer to David’s assurance of eternal life with God in heaven. But David does not use the word ‘I’ here, but refers to the king, so it is much more likely that he is speaking of his dynasty, the offspring of David to rule forever in accordance with God’s promise (2 Sam 7:12-16). In other words, David speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ who is of the royal line of David and God’s appointed king forever (Ps 2:6-12; Luke 1:31-33).⚜
8 📚So I will sing praise to your name
forever,
that I may daily perform my vows.