Psalm 61 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
Psalms Chapter 61 (Old Testament)
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6 Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 61:2
Verse: אֵלֶיךָ אֶקְרָא לִי תַּחֲסֵה
Transliteration: Eleikha ekra li tachaseh
English: “From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Focus Word: צוּר (Tzur)
- Root: צ-ו-ר (Tsade-Vav-Resh)
- Meaning: “Rock,” “stronghold,” “refuge.”
- Deeper Insight: Tzur conveys stability and protection, symbolizing God as a dependable shelter in trouble.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| שִׁמְעָה — shim‘ah | Verse 1 — “Hear my cry, O God…” | “Hear,” listen. | Shim‘ah (“hear”) expresses plea for attentive divine response (“hear”). It highlights urgency and vulnerability. The word opens the Psalm with intimate dependence. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament |
| רִנָּתִי — rinnati | Verse 1 — “…attend to my prayer.” | “Cry,” ringing shout. | Rinnati (“cry/shout”) denotes a loud, emotional plea (“cry”). It conveys deep distress seeking immediate aid. The term intensifies the psalmist’s earnestness. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms |
| קְצֵה־הָאָרֶץ — ketzeh ha’aretz | Verse 2 — “From the end of the earth…” | “End,” extremity. | Ketzeh Ha’aretz (“end of the earth”) expresses emotional or physical distance (“extremity”). It symbolizes isolation. The phrase deepens the Psalm’s sense of exile. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament |
| עוֹטֵף — oteifi | Verse 2 — “…when my heart is overwhelmed.” | “Faint,” covered. | Oteif (“to be overwhelmed”) depicts suffocating emotional pressure (“overwhelmed”). It portrays heart-weariness under trial. The term heightens the Psalm’s tone of desperation. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| צוּר — tzur | Verse 2 — “…lead me to the rock…” | “Rock,” refuge. | Tzur (“rock”) symbolizes unshakable divine protection (“rock”). It emphasizes stability in crisis. The word anchors hope in God’s strength. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| מַחְסֶה — machseh | Verse 3 — “For You have been a shelter…” | “Refuge,” place of safety. | Machseh (“refuge”) portrays God as defensive shelter (“refuge”). It conveys protection from external threats. The term strengthens sanctuary imagery. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| מִגְדַּל־עֹז — migdal-oz | Verse 3 — “…a strong tower…” | “Strong tower,” fortified high place. | Migdal-Oz (“strong tower”) conveys elevated protection (“fortress/tower”). It symbolizes security beyond enemy reach. The phrase reinforces trust in God’s defense. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| אוֹשִׁיבָה — oshivah | Verse 4 — “I will abide in Your tabernacle…” | “To dwell,” remain. | Oshivah (“to dwell”) expresses desire for continual presence (“dwell”). It reflects longing for communion. The term marks confident expectation of renewed worship. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| חָסָה — chasah | Verse 4 — “…I will trust in the shelter…” | “To take refuge,” seek shelter. | Chasah (“to take refuge”) emphasizes seeking safety in God (“trust/refuge”). It conveys dependence rooted in covenant relationship. The word reinforces the Psalm’s emotional core. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| יוֹמִים — yomim | Verse 6 — “You will prolong the king’s life…” | “Days,” lifespan. | Yomim (“days”) symbolizes extended life granted by God (“days/life”). It expresses hope for lasting kingship. The term links divine favor with national stability. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 61 |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Commentarius Hebraicus in Psalmos | Notes that the Psalm portrays God as a refuge and tower of strength for the distressed. |
| Matthew Poole (University of Oxford, 1624–1679) | Synopsis Criticorum | Observes that the Psalm teaches reliance on God’s protection during life’s uncertainties. |
| Richard Baxter (University of Cambridge, 1615–1691) | Paraphrase and Notes on the Psalms | Highlights the Psalmist’s expression of deep longing for divine safety and guidance. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Notes that seeking God’s presence ensures spiritual stability and comfort. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Observes that persistent prayer fosters trust and confidence in God’s care. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees this psalm as the cry of one overwhelmed by sorrow. The “rock higher than I” reflects refuge in divine strength. God’s protection ensures enduring stability. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as expressing deep need for God’s nearness. Shelter and safety are found in His presence. Praise flows from renewed confidence. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as a prayer from a troubled soul seeking higher ground. God’s tent offers safety. Vows of thanksgiving follow divine assurance. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as a tender plea from one pressed by adversity. God’s everlasting kindness becomes refuge. Thanksgiving grows from confidence in divine mercy. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford interprets the psalm as the soul’s longing for stability and divine guidance. God’s wings give shelter. The psalm ends with joyful commitment. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar views the psalm as the believer’s ascent from weariness to renewed hope. God is the eternal refuge. Praise arises from trust in His covenant. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker reads the psalm as portraying the cry of the fainthearted. God lifts the soul above its fears. Gratitude follows divine reassurance. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale emphasizes the psalmist’s longing for spiritual elevation. God’s protection is presented as sure. Praise becomes the righteous response. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar sees the psalm as depicting the weary soul’s flight to divine shelter. God provides stability beyond human strength. The psalmist vows continual praise. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church seeking refuge in the Rock of Ages. Divine protection ensures prolonged blessing. Praise is the fitting answer to deliverance. |
Prayer: Thank You Father for hearing our prayers, for we fear You and do what You say. Thank You that Your blessing is upon us, for by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have clean hands, pure hearts; we have not lifted up our souls unto vanity or sworn deceitfully.
Thank you, Lord for being a strong tower and a shelter for me. Thank you, God that I can cast all of my cares upon You because You care for me. Thank you Mighty God for your glorious goodness in my life in Jesus' Name. Amen.
