From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2
The Cry of the Faint & Confidence in God’s Protection
Psalm 61, a royal psalm attributed to David, has elements of lament and trust. In this psalm, the king of Israel points to the great King who is to come. David confesses his weakness and seeks strength in God. His past experience with God encourages him and he promises to praise God in the future.
61:4 I will abide implies strong determination. It is used of a worshiper in God’s house in 15:1. Elsewhere, the psalmist compares himself to (1) an everlasting guest in the tent of the Lord and (2) a chick who has complete trust under its mother’s wings.
4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
61:5 The pronoun You is emphasized in this verse as David celebrates the work of God in his life and in the life of his people. The heritage: God had given the nation to David for him to rule responsibly. These words also refer to the greater reality of the savior King who would receive the nations as His inheritance to rule forever. Who fear Your name: This is standard language describing biblical piety. To fear is to hold the name of God in awe and wonder, in worship and obedience.
5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
61:6, 7 The terms many generations and forever refers to David’s long rule but more literally prophesy the eternal rule of Jesus, the King of kings. Mercy and truth together man “loving loyalty” (see John 1:14 for an equivalent expression: “grace and truth”). Psalm 23 presents the believer pursed by God’s “goodness and mercy” (23:6); but here the king is guarded by God’s loving loyalty.
6 You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations. 7 He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
** It is a good thing to have someone to cry unto from the end of the earth. David’s cry is not with despair but with confidence based on his faith and past experience.
61 1 To the Chief Musician. On a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. 6 You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations. 7 He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! 8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows.
