Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 61 (MT) / Psalm 60 (LXX) is a short Davidic royal-petition — eight verses — framing the pilgrimage-prayer 'from the end of the earth I call to you' and the signature petition 'lead me to the rock that is higher than I' (v. 2). The psalm's royal-prayer-for-long-life (v. 6, 'prolong the king's life') dovetails with the Messianic-eternal-reign theology.
Notable Variants
61:2 'lead me to the rock that is higher than I' as refuge-metaphor; 61:4 'shelter of your wings' (skepē tōn pterygōn) as protection-imagery; 61:6–7 royal-life-prolongation prayer with Messianic-extension.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 61 = LXX Ps 60. 9 verses (MT/LXX), 8 verses (English).
For the director of music. On stringed instruments. Of David.
Superscription tracks MT.
Hear my cry, God; pay attention to my prayer.
'Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer' tracks MT.
From the far edge of the land I call out to you when my heart is overwhelmed — lead me to the rock that towers above me.
'From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint' tracks MT. 'LEAD ME TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I' — the rock-higher-than-self as divine-refuge-metaphor. Matthew 7:24–27's wise-builder-on-rock parable and 1 Corinthians 10:4's 'that rock was Christ' extend the rock-theology Christologically.
For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
'For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy' tracks MT.
Let me dwell in your tent forever; let me take shelter in the hiding place of your wings. Selah.
'Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!' tracks MT. TENT-AND-WINGS imagery paired: sanctuary-dwelling + avian-protection.
For you, God, have heard my vows; you have granted the inheritance of those who revere your name.
'For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name' tracks MT.
Add days upon the king's days; let his years span generation after generation.
'Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations' tracks MT. ROYAL-LIFE-PROLONGATION prayer. Messianically-extended, the petition becomes prayer for the Messiah's eternal-reign. Hebrews 7:24–25 ('he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever') develops the eternal-priest-king-life theology.
May he sit enthroned before God forever; appoint faithful love and truth to guard him.
'May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!' tracks MT. 'Enthroned forever before God' — the Messianic-eternal-enthronement (Heb 1:13, 10:12 developing Ps 110:1's 'sit at my right hand').
Then I will make music to your name forever, fulfilling my vows day after day.
'So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day' tracks MT.