#741 My Cry Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God;

listen to my prayer.

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.

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. Psalm 61 NIV


A psalm of David

Attend to my prayer (Listen to my prayer) - Prayer is not for chant or ritual, but it is a request for audience with the living God. It does not presume upon oration or who we think we are, but rather it humbly rests and wrestles in light and hope of God's steadfast love. There is a reason we are able to pray, all else falls short.

5 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4: 15-16

“Pharisees may rest in their prayers; true believers are eager for an answer to them: ritualists may be satisfied when they have ‘said or sung’ their litanies and collects, but living children of God will never rest till their supplications have entered the ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth.” (Spurgeon)

From the ends of the earth - David does not waste his breath upon another god, for there is only one Creator. We tend to think of cultural boundaries, that this is the god for here, and for some elsewhere in the world another, but God is not bound to honor our opinions or borders, it all belongs to Him. Men are greatly divided, but God has revealed Himself through His word, whether we accept it or not, He is God above all, and has provided One way to be right with Him. There may also be the sense in this of distance, that for the faint of heart, the weary, God may seem far away, but He is ever attentive to the sincere petitioner.

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I - The answer is above me, all I have is anxiety, tiredness, hunger, thirst, and I cannot see so far from where I am standing, please place my feet on higher ground.

Ultimately Jesus Christ is the Rock that is higher than I. “Higher than I, because of His divine origin; higher, because of His perfect obedience; higher, because of His supreme sufferings; higher, because of his ascension to the right hand of power.” (Meyer)

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.… Matthew 16: 16-18

In Your tent forever - In the desert the ark of God was in the tabernacle. I think David would like the safety of God's presence, the joy of such closeness. When all is at war around us, our hearts are in turmoil within, where is that place that we can turn into? Where is the tent of sojourners, strangers, weary travelers?

Shelter of Your wings - The mercy seat inside the tabernacle had the design of cherubim with wings facing in.

His years - God blessed David's reign, unlike Saul's who would not know a lasting kingdom, David has been promised an err Who would be Messiah. Jesus is the King Eternal. The Psalms drip of prophecy even leaving no room for a Messiah who would not suffer, see Psalm 22

His years as many generations: “Thus he speaks, partly because his kingdom was not like Saul’s, a matter of one age, expiring with his life, but established to him and his heirs for ever; and partly because Christ, his Son and Heir, should actually and in his own person possess the kingdom for ever.” (Poole)

Perform my vows - This was not a one time thing, as many suppose the marriage altar has sealed upon them only the promises of a moment, and subject to their ever changing affections. God is David's whether in the depths or the heights. He has wrestled against the temptation to cling to utter despair, brought it before the Lord, and ends such a painful start with yet another fresh beginning. I will praise You, oh God, and fulfill my vows day after day.