Psalms 61 (NET)

Psalm 611

1 For the music director; to be played on a stringed instrument; written by David.

O God, hear my cry for help!

Pay attention to my prayer!

2 From the most remote place on earth2

I call out to you in my despair.3

Lead me4 up to an inaccessible rocky summit!5

3 Indeed,6 you are7 my shelter,

a strong tower that protects me from the enemy.8

4 I will be a permanent guest in your home;9

I will find shelter in the protection of your wings.10 (Selah)

5 For you, O God, hear my vows;

you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers.11

6 Give the king long life!

Make his lifetime span several generations!12

7 May he reign13 forever before God!

Decree that your loyal love and faithfulness should protect him.14

8 Then I will sing praises to your name continually,15

as I fulfill16 my vows day after day.

1sn Psalm 61. The psalmist cries out for help and expresses his confidence that God will protect him. 2tn Heb “from the end of the earth.” This may indicate (1) the psalmist is exiled in a distant land, or (2) it may be hyperbolic (the psalmist feels alienated from God’s presence, as if he were in a distant land). 3tn Heb “while my heart faints.” 4tn The imperfect verbal form here expresses the psalmist’s wish or prayer. 5tn Heb “on to a rocky summit [that] is higher than I.” 6tn Or “for.” 7tn Or “have been.” 8tn Heb “a strong tower from the face of an enemy.” 9tn Heb “I will live as a resident alien in your tent permanently.” The cohortative is understood here as indicating resolve. Another option is to take it as expressing a request, “please let me live” (cf. NASB, NRSV). 10sn I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. The metaphor compares God to a protective mother bird. 11tn Heb “you grant the inheritance of those who fear your name.” “Inheritance” is normally used of land which is granted as an inheritance; here it refers metaphorically to the blessings granted God’s loyal followers. To “fear” God’s name means to have a healthy respect for his revealed reputation which in turn motivates one to obey God’s commands (see Ps 86:11). 12tn Heb “days upon days of the king add, his years like generation and generation.”sn It is not certain if the (royal) psalmist is referring to himself in the third person in this verse, or if an exile is praying on behalf of the king. 13tn Heb “sit [enthroned].” The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive here, expressing the psalmist’s prayer. 14tn Heb “loyal love and faithfulness appoint, let them protect him.” 15tn Or “forever.” 16tn Or perhaps, “and thereby fulfill.” The preposition with the infinitive construct here indicates an accompanying circumstance.