Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 61
The lxi. PSALM.
David by Absalons rebellion, and his Kingdoms revolt being driven from Ierusalem beyond Iordan to Nahanaim 2 Sam. 17.24. prayes earnestly in this distress, in confidence of deliverance by God, in whom he promises to trust because of former experience, and Gods engagement by promise touching the Kingdom to him for his days, and his seed after him, thereupon grounds and iterates his prayer, and upon restauration promiseth praise.
Psalm lxi. To the chief musician upon Neginoth, A Psalm of David.To him that is most skilfull upon the stringed instrument Neginoth, to which this Psalm is chiefly set, do I David that made it, recommend it, for the care and ordering of it in the Quire.
1HEar my cry, O God, attend unto my prayer.1 AS it ever hath been my custom in all my former distresses to flie to thee, so now in this, and as it hath been thy constant usage to hear and deliver me when I have done so, so now, O God, vouchsafe me the like grace and mercy to hear me in this mine extremity, which presseth hard upon me, and so do I upon thee by prayer and supplication.
2From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when mine heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.2 Though I am driven far from thy sanctuary, and am banished from mine own house and thine in Jerusalem, to the uttermost skirts of mine own Kingdom, yea, though it were to the end of the world, yet will I be the same man as to my faithfull seeking unto thee, that I know is the same God to hear and help me, when and wheresoever I call upon thee in the anguish and trouble of mine heart, and greater cause I never had to be troubled, for I never was in greater extremity, nor had less outward probability to escape, the whole Kingdom (in effect) being revolted from me, therefore, Lord, thou in this my low condition, raise up my faith to thee, and establish mine heart in thee, and thine all-sufficiency.
3 For hitherto thou hast never failed me of deliverance,3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. but hast allwaies stepped 'twixt me and mine undoing, and how strong soever mine enemy hath been against me, thou hast still appeared stronger for me, and in my behalf.
4 And as I have found thee faithfull,4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the cover of thy wings, Selah. so shalt thou find me, for I am resolved in what distress soever I am, and whithersoever I am driven, though from thine Ark and Tabernacle now at Jerusalem, yet shall my faith carry it about with me, and give me spiritual residence in it, knowing that thy presence, though typed by it, yet is not so typed to it, but thou canst hear, and help me, and art present with me, to do me good here, as there; for thou canst stretch thy wings of power, and protection, as far as I can stretch my faith, and that shall never fail in every condition and place, to rely upon thee for it. Amen.
5 For I have double assurance from thee,5For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. both my former experiences having evermore had my prayers granted, and my vows of praise, and thanks accepted, which at any time (& they have not been a few) in mine extremities I engaged my self to perform unto thee, and the promise fulfil'd of being King over the people, that of all the world only know and fear thee, as Christ over his Church, both I, and mine, and therefore am not to be put besides it I am confident, but shall be restored to it again, and leave it peaceably to my successours.
6Thou wilt prolong the Kings life: and his years as many generations.6 Yea, I doubt not but I shall out-live this trouble, and being annoynted, and appointed King by God, in special remembrance of the Messiah, I shall be re-installed, and undoubtedly live out the uttermost period of my days, which shall not be a few in that estate and condition.
7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him.7 This is as certain, as God is true, for herein I (his peculiar chosen for that purpose) am by the grace and favour of God to be the type and symbol of Christs certain, and everlasting reign over his Church, notwithstanding all his, and her troubles. To this end, Lord, shew forth thy mercy in pardoning my sin, and removing this judgement, and remember thy faithfulness to do as thou hast promised concerning me, for on these two crutches, Mercy, and Truth, do I lean, and doubt not to be upheld, and preserved by them, and brought out of this my present misery into a good condition, and restored to Jerusalem, and thy Tabernacle again, in a peaceable and lasting possession of my Kingdom.
8So will I sing praise unto thy name forever: that I may daily perform my vows,8 And when thou hast done this for me, then comes my turn to do for thee, even to praise thee there, and to magnifie thy power and goodness for this my deliverance so long as I live, which I will certainly do, (and when I am dead too, by an everlasting Memorandum, which I will leave of it to thy Church) and will daily resort to thy Sanctuary, and there as oft as I go to worship, will not fail to remember mine engagements, and perform my vows unto thee for this, and all other thy mercies, for which I stand indebted to thee.