Psalms 61:4

_I WILL ABIDE IN THY TABERNACLE FOR EVER: I WILL TRUST IN THE COVERT OF THY WINGS. SELAH._ I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever. So sure is he, by faith, of his prayer being answered, that he, even in his distant exile, confidently asserts his permanent dwelling in the Lord's tabernacle (Psalms 27:4). To abide in it is to have continual communion with Him. On the "for ever," cf. Psalms 21:4, wherein he remembers God's promise in 2 Samuel 7:1. I WILL TRUST IN THE COVERT OF THY WINGS - (Psalms 36:7.)...

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 61:4. _I WILL ABIDE IN THY TABERNACLE_] The greater portion of those Psalms which were composed during and after the captivity, says _Calmet_, had _Levites_ and _priests_ for their authors. Hence we find the ardent desire so frequently expressed of seeing the _temple_; of _praising God there_; of spending their lives in that place, performing the functions of their sacred office. There I _shall sojourn_; - there I _shall dwell_, - _be at rest_, - _be in_ _safety_, - _be covered with thy wings_, as a bird in its nest is covered with the wings of its mother. These simple comparisons, drawn from rural affairs and ordinary occurrences, are more pleasing and consolatory in the circumstances in question, than allegories derived from subjects the most noble and sublime....

I WILL ABIDE IN THY TABERNACLE FOR EVER - This expresses the confident assurance that he would be restored to his home, and to the privileges of public worship. The word forever here means perpetually; that is, his permanent home would be there, or he would dwell with God who dwelt in the tabernacle. The word “tabernacle” refers to the sacred tent which was erected for the worship of God, within which were the ark, the tables of the law, the table of showbread, etc. In the innermost part of that tent - the holy of holies - the symbol of the divine presence rested on the mercy-seat or cover of the ark of the covenant. David regarded it as a great privilege to abide near that sacred tent; near to the place of; public worship; near to the place where God was supposed to dwell. See Psalms 23:6, note;...

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

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 worship, where he desired and determined always to continue, Psalms 23:6; or else the tabernacle which was prefigured by that below, where he knew he should dwell to all eternity. Kimchi, by "for ever", understands a long time; and Jarchi explains it both of this world and of the world to come; which is true, understanding the tabernacle of the church below, and the church above; I WILL TRUST IN THE COVERT OF THY WINGS. Or, "in" or "into the secret of thy wings" z; this he determined to ma

TRUST (_ See Scofield) - (Psalms 2:12). _...

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

TABERNACLE. Hebrew. _'ohel,_ tent (App-40.), i.e. David's tent on Mount Zion. The Psalm probably refers to Absalom's rebellion. TRUST. flee for refuge. Hebrew. _hasah._ App-69. COVERT. secret place. WINGS. Figure of speech _Anthropopatheia_. App-6. SELAH. Connecting the confidence with the only true ground of it. This is the central member of the Psalm. See the Structure above....