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Psalms 61 Explained!!

Click Reference Link to Read Chapter: BibleRef.com

Chapter Commentary:

Some of David's psalms are connected directly to historical events (Psalm 54; 59; 60). This song includes no such details. However, it refers to David being displaced and seeking a rocky sanctuary (Psalm 61:2). It also mentions his continued life and heritage (Psalm 61:6). It's possible that the song was composed after David's hasty evacuation during the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). David initially fled over the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:30) and headed to a fortified city, Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:24).

David begins this psalm with an appeal for the Lord to hear his requests. David's reference to "the end of the earth" may resemble the English phrase "in the middle of nowhere." Apparently, David was feeling displaced and could feel his confidence sagging. The Hebrew words speaking of a "faint heart" include the ideas of being overwhelmed, covered up, or of something collapsing. To counter that, David asks God to do what He has done in the past: to be a sanctuary against the enemy (Psalm 61:1–3).

During David's life, the ark of the covenant was kept in a tent—a "tabernacle"—which was the center of Israel's worship. The ark included images of angels spreading out their wings (Exodus 25:18–20). A common metaphor in Scripture is to be guarded under the Lord's "wings," as a mother bird would defend her young (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 63:7). In a sense, David is not only praying for the Lord's protection, but also expressing his desire to worship the Lord in the tabernacle.

Verse Context:

Psalm 61:1–4 is David's prayer for safety during a time of uncertainty. He feels his courage draining and speaks as if he is far from home. His appeal includes references to secure, high places, fortified areas, and sanctuary. David repeats a common metaphor about God protecting His people the way a mother hen guards chicks with outstretched wings (Psalm 17:8; 63:7).

Psalm 61:5–8 affirms David's confidence in God's purposes. He prays accordingly for a long life as Israel's king, suggesting this psalm may have been inspired by a threat to his rule. David also prays for God's loyal love and faithful protectiveness.

Chapter Summary:

David prays as someone displaced from home and wracked with fear. He asks to be led to safety, recalling God's former protection. David appeals to his personal faithfulness towards the Lord. He asks for his kingship to be protected, echoing the promises God made about David's reign (2 Samuel 7:9–13). Anticipating that rescue, David promises to praise the Lord.

Chapter Context:

The historical setting for this psalm is uncertain, unlike psalms connected to definite events (Psalm 54; 59; 60). This psalm asks for protection for the king, so it might have been inspired by David's evacuation during the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). That escape led David over the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:30) and to the fortified city of Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:24), events which resemble the themes of this song.

Book Summary:

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

To help you all and myself get a full understanding of the Book of Psalms, I am going back to the beginning of Psalms, and including an explanation of each Chapter I have read.

And just as some of the current explanation of the Psalms having the Scripture links, and some won’t, so will these reposted ones have the same. Again, this will help you all dig deep into your study of the Book of Psalm. I will redo Psalms 1 to Psalms 43. I will post Psalms 9 today, with Psalms 61.

I think it is a great idea to go back and study Psalms 1 to Psalms 43 with the explanation. Because the ones with the explanation will give you a detailed explanation of each Psalm.

I want to show that the people in the days of Psalms, also had questions for God and they expressed them – they poured out their hearts to God. God knows how we feel in our hearts when we are hard pressed down by the things of life – GOD LOVES US NO MATTER WHAT (Romans 8)!! And God wants us to come to HIM and CAST ALL those CARES, things upon Him, just like the people in the Psalms. GOD CARES FOR US (1 Peter 5:7)!!

As we see from the Psalms, NO MATTER WHAT David faced, he PRAISED, THANKED, AND WORSHIPPED GOD!! NOT that he was glad he was going through, but he TRUSTED that GOD WOULD rescue him, and bring him through WHATEVER he faced; David remembered that GOD had brought him through every time in the past!! Therefore, let us each day, as we read these Psalms, do as David did, PRAISE, THANK, AND WORSHIP GOD for HIS GOODNESS to us!!

There is ALWAYS something we can look back at, and see how GOD, our ABBA, has brought us out of!! And we can look at our present lives, and see GOD bringing us out of something every day!!

GOD IS A GOOD. GOOD, GOOD FATHER to us; HE takes GREAT care of us!!

Questions:

1. In today’s Psalm, do you see what David is praising God for, being thankful to God for, or worshiping God for?

2. Today, what are YOU praising God for, thankful to God for, or worshipping God for?

Just as before, I pray the explanation of each Chapter of the Book of Psalms, is a BLESSING to you all as you all dive deeper into the Word of God this year!!

And don’t forget to pray as you study this material, asking Holy Spirit to give you all the revelational knowledge YOU NEED, to transform your life from the inside out!! I pray this year will be your BEST year ever!! Stay walking hand in hand with our loving Heavenly Father, our ABBA, ALWAYS acknowledging Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in the way you should go daily, not going your own way, and be a disciple of Jesus, not a fan, then you won’t go wrong!!

Click Here for the PDF Version of “Psalms 61 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 60 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 59 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 58 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 57 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 56 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 55 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 54 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 53 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 52 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 51 Explained!!”

Click Here for Link to “Psalms 50 Explained!!”