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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 61:1-4

In these verses we may observe, I. David's close adherence and application to God by prayer in the day of his distress and trouble: ?Whatever comes, I will cry unto thee (Ps. 61:2), --not cry unto other gods, but to thee only,?not fall out with thee because thou afflictest me, but still look unto thee, and wait upon thee,?not speak to thee in a cold and careless manner, but cry to thee with the greatest importunity and fervency of spirit, as one that will not let thee go except thou bless me.?... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 61:3

For thou hast been a shelter for me ,.... Or "refuge" F25 מחסה "asylum", Tigurine version, Vatablus; "perfagium", Cocceius; "refugium", Michaelis. , from avenging justice; a hiding place and covert from the storms and tempests of divine wrath; a shadow and a screen from the heat of Satan's fiery darts, and the blast of his terrible temptations, Isaiah 25:4 ; and a strong tower from the enemy : from Satan the devouring lion, from furious persecutors, and every other enemy; see... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 61:3

Those hast been a shelter for me - During the whole duration of the captivity God marvellously dealt with the poor Jews; so that, although they were cast down, they were not utterly forsaken. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 61:3

Verse 3 3.For thou hast been my hope Here we may suppose, either that he calls to his remembrance such benefits as he had formerly received, or that he congratulates himself upon deliverance which he had presently experienced. There is much probability in either supposition. Nothing animates our hopes more than the recollection of the past goodness of God, and, in the midst of his prayers, we frequently find David indulging in reflections of this kind. On the other hand, the remainder of the... 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

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 61:3

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

Albert Barnes

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

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

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