Psalm 61

Psalm Category: Individual Lament

Central Thought: When our troubles are too large to handle, God’s shelter and assurance are always at hand.

Overwhelmed (vv. 1-2) The familiar Davidic theme of hardship sets the context for this psalm. When David feels displaced and overwhelmed, his first resort is prayer, knowing that many faithful men prayed “from the end of the earth” and were answered (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph). The same word “overwhelmed” appears in the title of Psalm 102, where this condition is vividly described in messianic terms. When a believer is overwhelmed, he is not abandoned by God, but rather he is sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Rom. 8:17-18; 2 Cor. 1:5).

The Higher Rock (v. 2) The “Rock” is a familiar term for God in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms. It conveys His strength and unchangeable nature, and it is a developing reference to the Messiah in particular (e.g. Isa. 8:14; Dan. 2; 1 Cor. 10:4). “Higher than I” is not a temporal designation but a moral and spiritual comparison. Like us, David needs a Savior who is stronger and greater than he.

Divine Protection (vv. 3-4) God’s past protection is now remembered by David and viewed in a variety of metaphors—a tower, a tabernacle, and the loving shelter symbolized by “Your wings.” There is something for David to do to be conscious of such safety: “I will abide” and “I will trust.” God’s safekeeping is realized in faithfulness. It may not bring an end to all afflictions, but it does bring abundant assurance in His promises (v. 5). It is noteworthy that David, “from the end of the earth” (v. 2), longs for the tabernacle where he vows to abide (v. 4). His heart is set on worship.

A Heritage and a King (vv. 5-7) God’s assurance now dawns upon David as the psalm takes on a note of confidence and certainty (v. 5a). David takes comfort in a corporate heritage made personal to him by saving grace (v. 5b). The “heritage” is the covenant promise of salvation, first articulated in Genesis 3:15, made progressively clearer in the Bible, and that is the equivalent of “all things” in 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

Continuing in the idea of the covenant heritage promised to the faithful, David interjects a prayer for the promised King of the covenant who will abide before God and reign eternally, destined to be ultimately fulfilled in Christ. He is the answer to the prayer of verse 2, the Rock that is higher, and He is all that David needs or desires.

Response of Praise (v. 8) David’s response to his Savior King and gracious heritage is worship—a task that is “forever” and “daily.” Worship is an eternal purpose that is expressed faithfully in the present; a timeless duty that takes place each day. Praise and vows combine worship and service as our daily (and forever) response to the Savior. Vows were often fulfilled in a single act or ceremony, but David, with his daily vows, is mindful of a debt that he can never repay. His worship and service will be the daily and eternal response to God’s grace.

—C. J. Williams