Psalms 61:3

_FOR THOU HAST BEEN A SHELTER FOR ME, AND A STRONG TOWER FROM THE ENEMY._ For thou hast been a shelter for me - and always art so. AND A STRONG TOWER FROM THE ENEMY - literally, 'from the face of the enemy' (Proverbs 18:10)....

3._For thou hast been my hope _Here we may suppose, either that he calls to his remembrance such benefits as he had formerly received, or that he congratulates himself upon deliverance which he had presently experienced. There is much probability in either supposition. Nothing animates our hopes more than the recollection of the past goodness of God, and, in the midst of his prayers, we frequently find David indulging in reflections of this kind. On the other hand, the remainder of the psalm is occupied with returning praise to God for his present goodness; and there is no reason why we should not suppose, that these words before us form the commencement of the thanksgiving. In that case, the Hebrew particle, which we have rendered _for _or _because, _may be understood rather in an affirmative sense, _surely _or _certainly. _ In the verse which follows, he expresses the confidence which...

1-4 David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise. Thus the soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. And that which separates us from other comforts, should drive us nearer to God, the fountain of all comfort. Though the heart is overwhelmed, yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. Nay, I will cry unto thee, for by that means it will be supported and relieved. Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is Christ. On the Divine mercy, as on a rock, David desired to rest his soul; but he was like a ship-wrecked sailor, exposed to the billows at the bottom of a rock too high for him to climb without help. David found that he could not be fixed on the Rock of salvation, unle...

Verse Psalms 61:3. _THOU HAST BEEN A SHELTER FOR ME_] During the whole duration of the captivity God marvellously dealt with the poor Jews; so that, although they were cast down, they were not utterly forsaken....

FOR THOU HAST BEEN A SHELTER FOR ME - A place of refuge; a place where I have found safety. He refers here to what had occurred in former times. God had protected him when in danger, and he pleads that fact as a reason why God should now interpose and deliver him. That reason seems to be founded on two considerations: (a) God had thus shown that he had power to deliver him; and (b) it might be expected that God who is unchangeable, and who had interposed, would manifest the same traits of character still, and would not leave him now. Both of these are proper grounds for prayer. AND STRONG TOWER FROM THE ENEMY - See the notes at Psalms 18:2....

EXPOSITION This short psalm is one of much beauty, and was sung daily at Matins in the earliest ages of the Church. It is, however, somewhat obscure, especially in its later portion, where a king is spoken of (Psalms 61:6), who may be David, or may represent David's house, or may be the Messiah, the "King" of Psalms 2:6. The Davidical authorship, asserted in the "title," is probable, though some contend for a captive exile of a later date. The psalm consists of an earnest prayer (Psalms 2:1, Psalms 2:2), followed by expressions of trust and confidence (Psalms 2:3

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 ENEMY: from Satan the devouring lion, from furious persecutors, and every other enemy; see Proverbs 18:10; and this experience the psalmist had of protection from the Rock in former times made him desirous of being led to it now. y מחסה "asylum", Tigurine version, Vatablus; "perfagium", Cocceius; "refugium", Michaelis....

PSALM 61-68 Psalms 61 The Identification of the King with His People _ 1. His cry and their cry (Psalms 61:1)_ 2. His answer and exaltation (Psalms 61:5) The following eight Psalms are grouped together leading up again to the final deliverance of Israel and the glory of the Lord. The question in connection with this Psalm is, who is the king whose years shall be from generations to generations, that is forever, who shall abide in God's presence forever? The ancient Jewish Targum says it is King Messiah, which is the true answer. This is the key to this Psalm. The King, Christ, is seen as identified with the remnant. He walked on earth trusting, having as the dependent Man His shelter in God

LXI. The Psalmist prays from the end of the earth in the confidence that God will protect him. He expresses his desire to dwell in the Temple and ends with a prayer for the king. The Exile is presupposed: further we have no clue to the date except in the mention of the king (see on Psalms 20). We may add, however, that this king seems to be high priest also, for he is to dwell in the tabernacle (Psalms 61:4) and to abide before God (Psalms 61:7). This suits later Maccabean times, but scarcely any other period after the Exile. PSALMS 61:2_ b._ The LXX, with a different text, translates, Thou hast exalted me on a rock: thou hast led me. Jerome, with the present text, translates, When the strong man shall be exalted

SHELTER. refuge....