Psalm 61

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:3

For thou hast been a shelter for me - A place of refuge; a place where I have found safety. He refers here to what had occurred in former times. God had protected him when in danger, and he pleads that fact as a reason why God should now interpose and deliver him. That reason seems to be founded on two considerations:(a) God had thus shown that he had power to deliver him; and(b) it might be expected that God who is unchangeable, and who had interposed, would manifest the same traits of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:4

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever - This expresses the confident assurance that he would be restored to his home, and to the privileges of public worship. The word forever here means perpetually; that is, his permanent home would be there, or he would dwell with God who dwelt in the tabernacle. The word “tabernacle” refers to the sacred tent which was erected for the worship of God, within which were the ark, the tables of the law, the table of showbread, etc. In the innermost part of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:5

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows - That is, my prayers accompanied with solemn pledges or promises that I will devote myself to thy service. In some way David had the assurance that those vows and prayers had been heard; that God would answer his supplications - that he would restore him to his home, and to the privilege of uniting with others in the sacred services of the sanctuary. In what way he had this assurance we are not informed, but the statement here accords with what we often find... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:6

Thou wilt prolong the king’s life - literally, “Days upon the days of the king thou wilt add;” that is, Thou wilt add days to those which thou hast already permitted him to live. The language does not necessarily mean that he would have a long life, but that he would still be permitted to live. He had apprehended death. He knew that his life was sought by those who were engaged with Absalom in the rebellion. At first it was uncertain what the issue would be. He had fled for his life. But now,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:7

He shall abide before God for ever - That is, perpetually; without danger of change, or of being driven into exile. This may allude, however, to the hope which David had that he would always live with God in a higher world - a world where there would be no danger of change or banishment. His restoration to his home, to his throne, and to the privileges of the sanctuary, he may have regarded as an emblem of his ultimate reception into a peaceful heaven, and his mind may have glanced rapidly from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:8

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever - As the result of this gracious interposition. Compare the notes at Isaiah 38:20. The meaning is, that he would do this constantly. It would be the regular business of his life.That I may daily perform my vows - The solemn promises which I have made in my exile; the purposes which I have expressed to devote myself to thee. Or, the language may have been used in a more general sense, denoting that, as a religious man, the vows of God were constantly... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 61

A.M. 2964. B.C. 1040. The occasion of this Psalm is very doubtful; but it seems to have been some great distress of David’s, either by Saul, or by Absalom; though it might be composed some time after that distress was past. David, in great danger, flees to God for deliverance, upon experience of his former goodness, Psalms 61:1-3 . Resolves to trust in him, and promises him perpetual service for his hearing his prayers, Psalms 61:4 , Psalms 61:5 . Praises him from an assurance of future... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 61:2-3

Psalms 61:2-3. From the end of the earth Or rather, of the land, to which, it seems, David had been driven by the violence of his enemies; will I cry unto thee And not to other gods, but to thee only. It is our happiness that, wherever we are, we may have liberty of access to God, and may find a way open to a throne of grace. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I Convey to a place of safety, where mine enemies cannot approach to hurt me: take me under thy peculiar care and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 61:4

Psalms 61:4. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever I shall, I doubt not, be restored to thy tabernacle, from which I am now banished, and, according to the desire of my heart, worship and enjoy thee there all my days. Thus he determines that the service of God shall be his constant business; and all those must make it so who expect to find God their shelter and strong tower. None but his servants have the benefit of his protection. David speaks of abiding in God’s tabernacle for ever, ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 61:5

Psalms 61:5. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows My fervent prayers, attended with vows and promises, as was usual, especially in cases of great danger or difficulty. Thou hast taken notice of them; thou hast accepted them, because they were made in sincerity, and hast been well pleased with them. We ought always to remember that God is a witness to all our vows, all our good purposes, and solemn promises of new obedience. He keeps an account of them, which should be a sufficient reason... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 61:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 61

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 61:2-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 61:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 61:5

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