INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 61 TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN UPON NEGINAH, [A PSALM] OF DAVID. "Neginah" is either the beginning of a song, as Aben Ezra; or the musical note or tune of one: or rather the name of a musical instrument, which was touched by the hand, or with a quill or bow. It is the singular of "n... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR MY CRY, O GOD,.... Being in distress; and which was vocally expressed with great fervency and importunity; ATTEND UNTO MY PRAYER; which psalm was made by him, and not for him; inwrought in his heart by the Spirit of God, and put up by him with a true heart and full assurance of faith, and rela... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE END OF THE EARTH WILL I CRY UNTO THEE,.... Where he now was, as is observed on the title, Psalms 61:1: though he was distant from his own house, and from the house of God, he did not restrain prayer before him, but continued to cry unto him, and determined to do so; and as the people of God... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU HAST BEEN A SHELTER FOR ME,.... Or "refuge" y, from avenging justice; a hiding place and covert from the storms and tempests of divine wrath; a shadow and a screen from the heat of Satan's fiery darts, and the blast of his terrible temptations, Isaiah 25:4; [AND] A STRONG TOWER FROM THE E... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL ABIDE IN THY TABERNACLE FOR EVER,.... Under the protection of the Lord, as in a shepherd's tent, or as in one belonging to a general of an army, where are fulness and safety; Psalms 27:5; or else the tabernacle of the congregation is meant; the house of God, the place of divine and public wo... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU, O GOD, HAST HEARD MY VOWS,.... Or "my prayers", as the Septuagint and other versions. Vows are so called, because it was usual to make vows in trouble, when prayer was made to the Lord for help and deliverance, Psalms 66:13. This is a reason why the psalmist was encouraged to put his trust... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU WILT PROLONG THE KING'S LIFE,.... Or "add days to the days of the King" a. Meaning either himself, who, though his life was in danger by fighting with the Syrians and Edomites, or rather through the conspiracy of his son; yet was assured that he should yet live many years more, and especially i... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL ABIDE BEFORE GOD FOR EVER,.... Or "sit" b; or "may he sit". Being raised from the dead he was received up to heaven into the presence of God, and sat down at his right hand; where he abides for ever, a Priest upon his throne, having an unchangeable priesthood, Hebrews 7:24; AND PREPARE MER... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WILL I SING PRAISE UNTO THY NAME FOR EVER,.... Or constantly; and not only in this world, but in that to come, for the favours before mentioned; for hearing his prayers; giving him a goodly heritage; prolonging the King's life; and preparing mercy and truth to preserve him; THAT I MAY DAILY PERF... [ Continue Reading ]