A King’s Appeal
Psalm 61
* Note the fine print that precedes the various psalms. They can sometimes add to our understanding and appreciation of the poem. For instance, in this case, we’re informed that David is the author of the psalm and that he’s playing the stringed instrument (“neginah”) in accompaniment. This instrument is mentioned along with other psalms but this is the only place where we find it in the singular form. This is really interesting as the “lonely” musical accompaniment is strikingly similar to the literary content of Psalm 61.
* The psalm contains two basic ideas. Verses 1-4 are an intense appeal from David to God for protection and security. Verses 5-8 are an appeal for long life (and proper reign) for the king.
* One Hebrew scholar (Delitzsch) calls Psalm 61 “prayer and thanksgiving of an exiled king on his way back to the throne.” He, in agreement with many other scholars, believes the occasion of the psalm was David’s exile from Jerusalem when his son Absalom is attempting to take over the kingdom. (See 2nd Samuel 15-19)
Verse 1 – David’s need is real. Profound. Immediate. This is no ritualistic prayer. It is intense and very personal. Note “my cry” and “my prayer” and in verse 2 “my heart.”
Desperate conditions in our lives tend to bring true fervency to our prayers. We understand when our problems are bigger than us that we need divine intervention.
Verse 2 – David calls from “the end of the earth.” Does this mean that David was literally at the earth’s edge or even that he believed the earth was flat and that he could fall off? Of course not. This is simply figurative language, a poetic description of a very literal truth; namely, David’s feeling that he was completely forsaken with no place to run.
It is obvious that David is not at home. He doesn’t have the comforts or security of his usual surroundings. He remains a king but without the temporal benefits. No guards. No comforts. No temple.
His desperate condition is even physical. His heart is faint/weak. He is dispirited. It might even seem that he is hopeless.
But David isn’t hopeless! And the proof of that is this psalm. David isn’t hopeless despite the extremely perilous position he’s in, because he has God to go to in prayer. It’s a point that we must remember. Like David, we must have faith in God, knowing that He has the answers.
And please keep in mind that David has confidence that God hears his prayer and will answer according to His goodness despite the fact that David had grievously sinned. Remember 2 Samuel 16: 5-13? Sometimes the knowledge that we have sinned, that we have broken our vows to God cause us to be so ashamed that we don’t go to God when we need Him. David understood the great grace of God. He knew that despite his sin, God loved him and would be quick and merciful to serve him.
Also in verse 2, David uses the first of four symbols to describe the divine protection and security he seeks. It is “the rock that is higher than I.” This high rock is an effective symbol of strength and security and immutability. This rock will not be moved. This is just the thing David needs – a source of secure protection from his enemies. And note that the rock is higher than David. This isn’t a rock he has to duck behind for cover; it’s a big and high boulder, one that is higher than his problems, his fears, his enemies.
Verse 3 –
David remembers that there is a precedent for his trust in God. The Lord has delivered him from other troubles. He has been an effective refuge for David – so clearly so that David prays in faith, knowing God’s power is more than enough to get the job done.
The second symbol David uses is “tower of strength.” The tower was the strongest place in a fort and so David uses this in his appeal for protection from the enemies that are chasing him down. And observe – though the “tower of strength” implies the same kind of protective power as the high rock, it is a more personal illustration. A tower of strength implies the planning and design of a military architect. And this movement of metaphors in the direction of more personalityand greater intimacy is one of the exciting feature of this psalm.
Verse 4 –
The third symbol is very interesting too. For, at first glance, it seems to “go backward” in David’s hopes for protection. A high rock? Sure, that fits as a symbol of strength and protection. And so does a fortified tower. But now a tent? A simple covering of animal skin? A tent that was quite probably the kind of shelter David was even then using? How is this a symbol of strength? How does this serve in the poetic progression David has begun?
Simple. Notice Whose tent it is that David desires. “Let me dwell in Thy tent forever.” That’s protection indeed because if it’s God’s tent that David is in, there is no enemy on earth or heaven that could endanger him. Thus, the tent of God does move David’s poetry along – from power to more power…from intimate to greater intimacy.
And then the last of the four symbols of strength. The strongest and most intimate of all. The warm, tender security of being right next to the heart of God, as close as being under the wing of a mother hen. David, a king, the slayer of Goliath, now longs for only the humble position of being a chick under the protective wings of God This is great poetry, progressing in symbols of strength, symbols of intimacy, and even in the progressive humility of the one praying.
Temporal suffering (including insecurity) should lead us to seek refuge in God just as it did with David. That which separates us from earthly security should draw us nearer to God’s spiritual comforts.
And remember…David was in real trouble. He was in desperate straits. But not so desperate that he gave up. Instead, he prayed. He trusted in God for deliverance. And, as we’ll see in these last four verses, David praises God and reconsecrates himself to God’s purposes.
Verse 5 –
True faith requires more than just supplications. Notice that David’s prayer now includes his rededication to God. He has prayed for deliverance but now, no matter what God decides to do with David’s situation, David makes new vows to Him. His desperation has helped him to refocus and get his priorities straight.
David acknowledges his obligations to God, to the heritage of Israel and, in verse six, to the future of Israel.
Verse 5 also makes an important point about the people of God. David’s heritage is not ethnic; it’s not about nationality or tribe or social class. The line of David is all about a common faith. This is just one example of how the Old Testament points out that it is faith that pleases God and that the redeemed people of God will not be defined by race but by belief in the promises of God, especially in the Messiah.
Verses 6 & 7 –
These verses seem to connect not only to David’s return to the throne (the immediate answer to David’s prayer) but also to the reign of the Messiah, the seed of David Whose throne will be everlasting.
Note too the difference between God’s perspective and ours. David seems to have become better oriented to God’s purposes than he was when he began his prayer. For David now confesses that the preservation of the king is less a matter of pure power than it is the spiritual virtues of lovingkindness and truth. These, of course, are the virtues that should mark every believer’s life. For we are part of David’s spiritual heritage – we are part of a royal priesthood. So, our lifestyle should shine with love and truth – no matter what external circumstances we’re in.
Verse 8 –
David’s response to his prayer is praise. Even before the deliverance occurs, even before David sees exactly how things will work out, he sings praises to God and dedicates himself again to walking in lovingkindness and truth.
True gratitude, results in worship. And true worship must include obedience to the will of God.