Psalms 61:8

_FOR THOU, O GOD, HAST HEARD MY VOWS: THOU HAST GIVEN ME THE HERITAGE OF THOSE THAT FEAR THY NAME._ -Ground of his confidence-namely, the prophetic Word of God (2 Samuel 7:1), which guarantees to him eternal dominion. Verse 5. FOR THOU, O GOD, HAST HEARD MY VOWS - i:e., my payers mixed with vows of thanksgiving. His prayers were what drew forth the promise of God by Nathan (2 Samuel 7:1; Psalms 21:2). THOU HAST GIVEN (ME) THE HERITAGE OF THOSE THAT FEAR THY NAME. "The heritage" is explained in Psalms 61:6 the prolongation of the king's life, and the abiding kingdom of his posterity over Canaan, the land

5-8 There is a people in the world that fear God's name. There is a heritage peculiar to that people; present comforts in the soul, earnests of future bliss. Those that fear God have enough in him, and must not complain. We need desire no better heritage than that of those who fear God. Those abide to good purpose in this world, who abide before God, serve him, and walk in his fear; those who do so, shall abide before him for ever. And these words are to be applied to Him of whom the angel said, the Lord shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, Luke 1:32. God's promises, and our faith in them, are not to do away, but to encourage prayer. We need not desire to be better secured than under the protection of God's mercy and truth. And if we partake of that grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ, we may praise him, whatever be our out...

Verse Psalms 61:8. _SO WILL I SING PRAISE UNTO THY NAME FOR EVER_] For the benefits which I have received, and hope to receive endlessly from thee, I will to all perpetuity praise thee. _THAT I MAY DAILY PERFORM MY VOWS._] While I live, I shall יום יום _yom, yom_, "day by day," each day as it succeeds, render to thee my vows - act according to what I have often _purposed_, and as often _promised_. The Chaldee ends remarkably: "Thus I will praise thy name for ever, when I shall perform my vows in the day of the redemption of Israel; and in the day in which the King Messiah shall be anointed, that he may reign." The _ancient Jews_ were full of the expectation of the Messiah; the _Jews of the present day_ have given up their _hope_. ANALYSIS OF THE SIXTY-FIRST PSALM...

SO WILL I SING PRAISE UNTO THY NAME FOR EVER - As the result of this gracious interposition. Compare the notes at Isaiah 38:20. The meaning is, that he would do this constantly. It would be the regular business of his life. THAT I MAY DAILY PERFORM MY VOWS - The solemn promises which I have made in my exile; the purposes which I have expressed to devote myself to thee. Or, the language may have been used in a more general sense, denoting that, as a religious man, the vows of God were constantly on him, or that he had pledged himself to serve God faithfully and always, and that he could better perform this duty at the tabernacle - in the place consecrated to public worship - than he could in exile. He desired, therefore, to be restored to the sanctuary, that he might keep up the performance of the daily duties of religi

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

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 PERFORM VOWS; which is done by praising the Lord, giving him the glory of all mercies, as vowed and promised; see Psalms 50:14. The Targum adds, "in the day of the redemption of Israel, and in the day that the King Messiah shall be anointed, that he may reign.''...

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

TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN. See App-64. TO. for. JEDUTHUN.. precentor appointed by David, by name Ethan (see App-65), afterward called Jeduthun. confession (1 Chronicles 15:17; 1 Chronicles 16:41; 1 Chronicles 25:1). Other Jeduthun Psalms are Psalms 38 and Psalms 76. in all three "vows" find. place....

Such prayers David can offer in confidence, for his prayers have already been partially answered. He can look forward in faith to the fulfilment of the promises God has made to His king, and he will spend the rest of his life in grateful thanksgiving....