Psalm 61:1-9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 61:5

Verse 5 5.For thou, O God! hast heard my vows. He here shows the grounds upon which he had spoken of his abiding under the wings of God. The sudden joy which he experienced arose from the circumstance of God’s having heard his prayers, and made light to spring out of darkness. By his vows we must understand his prayers, according to a common figure of speech by which the part is taken for the whole, having made vows when he prayed. In general, he would acknowledge himself indebted for his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 61:6

Verse 6 6.Thou shalt add days upon days to the king etc. (407) David cannot be considered as using these words of gratulation with an exclusive reference to himself. It is true that he lived to an extreme old age, and died full of days, leaving the kingdom in a settled condition, and in the hands of his son, who succeeded him; but he did not exceed the period of one man’s life, and the greater part of it was spent in continued dangers and anxieties. There can be no doubt, therefore, that the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 61:7

Verse 7 7.He shall abide before the face of God for ever. This is only a simpler way of expressing what he had said before, I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever. He refers to the security and peace which he would enjoy under the protection of God, who would effectually preserve his life. By the face of God, must be meant the fatherly care and providence which he extends to his people. So numerous are the dangers which surround us, that we could not stand a single moment, if his eye did not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 61:1

Hear my cry, O God (see the comment on Psalms 17:1 ). The word rinnah expresses a shrill, piercing cry, but one which may be of joy or of lamentation. Attend unto my prayer; i.e. "hear and answer it." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 61:1-4

A cry from the wilderness. I. THE HEART BECOMES " FAINT " WHEN IT IS CONSCIOUS OF BEING FAR FROM GOD . ( Psalms 61:1 .) II. WHEN THUS OVERWHELMED ( OR FAINT ), OUR DIFFICULTIES ARE TOO GREAT FOR US . ( Psalms 61:2 .) III. WE ARE THEN DRIVEN FOR HELP TO GOD , WHO ALONE CAN ENABLE US TO SURMOUNT THEM . "Land me upon the rock that is too high for me." IV. PAST EXPERIENCE WARRANTS US TO... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 61:1-8

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 61:1-8

The power of prayer in trouble. "My cry." Every one has his own needs. Think how it is this day. In how many lands, by what various voices, with what manifold emotions, the cries of men are uttered! What sighs of pain, what plaints of desire, what passionate prayers for help, go up to heaven! Who but God could "attend" to them all? Moses groaned under "the burden of all the people" ( Numbers 11:11 ). Paul was oppressed with "the care of all the Churches" ( 2 Corinthians 11:28 ). But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 61:2

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee. Eastern hyperbole may call the Trans-Jordanic territory "the end of the earth," but certainly the expression would be more natural in the mouth of an exile in Assyria, Media, or Babylon. When my heart is overwhelmed; or, "when my heart fainteth" (comp. Psalms 107:5 ). Lead me to the rock that is higher than I rather, that is too high for me— that I cannot reach unaided. Some regard the "rock" as Mount Zion; but others, more reasonably,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 61:3

For thou hast been a Shelter for me. In the past thou hast often been my "Shelter" or my "Refuge" (comp. Psalms 18:2 ; Psalms 44:7 , Psalms 44:11 ; Psalms 48:3 , etc.); be so once more. And a strong Tower. A migdal— a fortress, like the great fortress of the south ( Exodus 14:2 )—the Magdolus of Herodotus (2.149). From the enemy. If the psalm is David's, "the enemy" is probably Absalom. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 61:4

I will abide in thy tabernacle forever. As the psalmist is in exile, at "the end of the earth" ( Psalms 61:2 ), the literal "tabernacle" cannot be intended. A spiritual abiding in the heavenly dwelling, whereof the tabernacle was a type, must be meant (comp. Psalms 18:11 ). I will trust in the covert of thy wings (comp. Psalms 17:8 ; Psalms 36:7 ; Psalms 57:1 ; Psalms 63:7 ; Psalms 91:4 ). The origin of the metaphor is hardly to be sought in the outspread wings of the... read more

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