Psa 61:2 | KingComments | STEP | Now that the series of “Mikhtam” psalms of David (Psalms 56-60) has ended, with Psalm 61 a series of psalms begins that look back to the period of the great tribulation (Psalms 61-68). For “for the choir director” ( ) see at Psalm 4:1. It is a psalm that should be accompanied with “a stringed instrument”. See at Psalm 4:1. For “[a Psalm] of David” see at Psalm 3:1. David is in distress ( ). He is on the run from the enemy. The enemy is approaching. He cries out to God to hear his cry and to give heed to his prayer. It is not stated who the enemy is. Nor is it said what the enmity is about. It is not about the nature of the distress, but about its effect in the heart of the God-fearing. David, who in this psalm also expresses the feelings of the believing remnant in the end time, is far from the sanctuary, far from the delight of blessing, at “the end of the earth” ( ; cf. ). Nowhere does he see a solution to his distress. The pressure of the enemy, of the need, becomes too great for him. His “heart is faint”. He is exhausted and he begins to despair of life. But although he is far from the place where God dwells, he still trusts in Him. Therefore, he cries out to God from this place. In his trust in God, he asks that God lead him “to the rock that is higher than” himself and that he could never climb in his own strength. He would like God to bring him to the top of the rock so that he will be out of reach of his pursuers. If he is thus brought to safety by God, there is no enemy who can do anything to him anymore (cf. ). After all, for God, enemies and threatening circumstances mean nothing. It is about the contrast between God and the circumstances, not about the contrast between the believer and the circumstances. It is like the ten spies who saw themselves as locusts in the eyes of the adversaries who were like giants to them ( ). They forgot that they were not to compare themselves to the giants, but to compare the giants to God. And what did those giants mean at all in the eyes of God Almighty? The walls seemed as high as heaven. But what do those walls mean for faith? By faith they fall. Therefore, David no longer looks to the enemies, but to God and wants to be with Him. In the end time, the faithful remnant will also look this way. For the Rock is none other than God Himself ( ; ). With Him, that Rock, that is Christ ( ), his fainting heart will find rest and restoration of strength. Perhaps he has thought of the words God once spoke to Moses: “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand [there] on the rock” ( ).

‏ Psalms 61:2

Introduction

Now that the series of “Mikhtam” psalms of David (Psalms 56-60) has ended, with Psalm 61 a series of psalms begins that look back to the period of the great tribulation (Psalms 61-68).

Cry Out to God

For “for the choir director” (Psa 61:1a) see at Psalm 4:1.

It is a psalm that should be accompanied with “a stringed instrument”. See at Psalm 4:1.

For “[a Psalm] of David” see at Psalm 3:1.

David is in distress (Psa 61:1b). He is on the run from the enemy. The enemy is approaching. He cries out to God to hear his cry and to give heed to his prayer. It is not stated who the enemy is. Nor is it said what the enmity is about. It is not about the nature of the distress, but about its effect in the heart of the God-fearing.

David, who in this psalm also expresses the feelings of the believing remnant in the end time, is far from the sanctuary, far from the delight of blessing, at “the end of the earth” (Psa 61:2; cf. Psa 42:2 ; 6). Nowhere does he see a solution to his distress. The pressure of the enemy, of the need, becomes too great for him. His “heart is faint”. He is exhausted and he begins to despair of life. But although he is far from the place where God dwells, he still trusts in Him. Therefore, he cries out to God from this place.

In his trust in God, he asks that God lead him “to the rock that is higher than” himself and that he could never climb in his own strength. He would like God to bring him to the top of the rock so that he will be out of reach of his pursuers. If he is thus brought to safety by God, there is no enemy who can do anything to him anymore (cf. Isa 33:16). After all, for God, enemies and threatening circumstances mean nothing.

It is about the contrast between God and the circumstances, not about the contrast between the believer and the circumstances. It is like the ten spies who saw themselves as locusts in the eyes of the adversaries who were like giants to them (Num 13:28 ; 33). They forgot that they were not to compare themselves to the giants, but to compare the giants to God. And what did those giants mean at all in the eyes of God Almighty? The walls seemed as high as heaven. But what do those walls mean for faith? By faith they fall.

Therefore, David no longer looks to the enemies, but to God and wants to be with Him. In the end time, the faithful remnant will also look this way. For the Rock is none other than God Himself (Psa 18:2; 2Sam 22:32). With Him, that Rock, that is Christ (1Cor 10:4b), his fainting heart will find rest and restoration of strength. Perhaps he has thought of the words God once spoke to Moses: “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand [there] on the rock” (Exo 33:21).