Bible Commentaries
Psalms 61

Verses 1-8

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 the centre, absence from which is banishment. The rock that is higher than I] ’a rock too high for me,’ some inaccessible place of security.

4. Tabernacle] tent. The word may be purely figurative (cp. Ps 23:7), or it may refer to the ’tabernacle’ which David made for the ark. Trust] RV ’take refuge’: see Psalms 17:8.

5. Vows] here stand for the prayers which accompanied them. Thou hast given me, etc.] RM ’Thou hast given an heritage unto those that fear thy name.’ This may mean that Absalom’s rebellion has been crushed, and that the land is in the possession of loyal Israelites.

6. If David is the writer he speaks of himself here in the third person: cp. Zedekiah’s words in Jeremiah 38:5. The v. is an assurance rather than a prayer.

7. Abide.. for ever] in the continuance of his royal line: see 2 Samuel 7:12-13, 2 Samuel 7:16.; Prepare] or appoint. Mercy (RV ’lovingkindness’) and truth are personified as guardian angels: see Psalms 57:3.