David knew that God had heard his prayer. The inheritance of those who fear God’s name was prosperity under the promises of the Mosaic Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:9). These promises included long life and abiding in God’s presence. David asked God to deal with him in loyal love and truth so that he would indeed endure through his present trial. read more
3. Promise of praise 61:8When God would deliver him, David would praise God with song and continue to pay his vowed offerings regularly in the future.Believers can confidently petition God for deliverance on the basis of His promises and His former faithfulness. These resources can give strength when we feel vulnerable and alone. read more
This Ps. was written at a distance from Jerusalem, and is either the prayer of a king for himself, or the prayer of a subject for himself and the king. In the former case it would naturally be assigned to David, and to the time of his stay at Mahanaim beyond Jordan, during Absalom’s rebellion. In the latter it might belong to any time before the exile. In present trouble the memory of past mercies inspires confidence for the future.2. The end of the earth] or perhaps ’of the land.’ Jerusalem is... read more
LXI.Here we have the prayer of an Israelite living at a distance from his country, and declaring in the simplest possible manner that in spite of this banishment he does not feel remote from God nor deprived of the Divine protection. It is a forecast of the great principle of spiritual worship which Jesus Christ was to proclaim.Tradition assigns this exquisite little song, with its fine spiritual discernment, to David. The repetition of the imagery of the high tower is in the Davidic style, but... read more
(2) From the end. of the earth . . .—A hyperbolic expression for a great distance. Isaiah (Isaiah 5:26) uses the expression of Assyria, and it would be natural in an exile’s mouth, but must not be pressed to maintain any theory of the psalm’s date.When my heart is overwhelmed.—Literally, in the covering of my heart, the verb being used (Psalms 65:13) of the valleys covered with corn, and metaphorically, as here, of “the garment of heaviness,” which wraps a sad heart (Psalms 102:0 title; Isaiah... read more
(3) A strong tower.—Comp. Proverbs 18:10. read more
(4) I will abide.—Rather, Let me be a guest in, etc. (Comp. Psalms 15:1; Psalms 27:4.)Thy tabernacle . . .—It is difficult to decide whether this indicates. the Mosaic tabernacle, and so may be used as an index of the date of the poem; or whether the tent is a general figure for the protection of God, wherever it may be found. It certainly recalls Psalms 23:6.For ever.—Literally, for ages or æons. For the same plural, see Psalms 145:13.I will trust . . .—Rather, let me find refuge under the... read more
(5) Heritage.—As the Authorised Version runs, the heritage is length of days, one promised generally to those who fear Jehovah (Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 19:23), and particularly to Israel (Deuteronomy 6:2) and its kings (Deuteronomy 17:19-20, which passage may have been in the psalmist’s mind). But the LXX. and Vulg. read, “to them that fear thy name,” meaning, of course, by the heritage, Canaan. read more
(6) See margin, and render as a prayer. read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 61:3-7
2. Confidence in God 61:3-7 read more