Psa 61:5 | KingComments | STEP | God has been a refuge to him before, “a tower of strength against the enemy” ( ; ). This is what the believing remnant will say in the great tribulation. They know how God used to stand up for His people again and again (cf. ). This past acting of God in favor of His people gives them the confidence that God will also act in favor of them in their distress. They know that God will save them. Then David confidently says that he will dwell “forever” in God’s tent ( ). Here he speaks from the presence of the Rock upon which he stands in faith. He trusts that he will be in the tent of God, which here is the tabernacle, the place where the LORD wants to meet with His people. God’s tent speaks of hidden dealings or fellowship with Him (cf. ). Although David is physically distant from God’s dwelling place, he knows that he is on the rock and that the tent is his constant abode. There he also enjoys protection, of which the wings speak (cf. ), from the God of Israel. David knows that God has heard his vows ( ; cf. ). He has made them in his distress and lets God know that he has not forgotten them. David, in making a vow, is a picture of the Lord Jesus, Who made the vow to God to do His will ( ; ). He did not make His vow subject to any condition, but made it out of love and devotion to His God. The Messiah perfectly feared God’s Name and perfectly fulfilled His vow. As a reward for that, He received the inheritance that God gives to all those who fear His Name. Moreover, He also acquired the right to the inheritance through His work on the cross ( ). All who fear God will receive the inheritance because He accomplished the work on the cross for them. As a result, they have also become heirs ( ).

‏ Psalms 61:5

God Is a Refuge

God has been a refuge to him before, “a tower of strength against the enemy” (Psa 61:3; Pro 18:10). This is what the believing remnant will say in the great tribulation. They know how God used to stand up for His people again and again (cf. Isa 25:4). This past acting of God in favor of His people gives them the confidence that God will also act in favor of them in their distress. They know that God will save them.

Then David confidently says that he will dwell “forever” in God’s tent (Psa 61:4). Here he speaks from the presence of the Rock upon which he stands in faith. He trusts that he will be in the tent of God, which here is the tabernacle, the place where the LORD wants to meet with His people.

God’s tent speaks of hidden dealings or fellowship with Him (cf. Psa 27:5b). Although David is physically distant from God’s dwelling place, he knows that he is on the rock and that the tent is his constant abode. There he also enjoys protection, of which the wings speak (cf. Psa 57:1b ; Psa 36:7 ; Psa 91:4), from the God of Israel.

David knows that God has heard his vows (Psa 61:5; cf. Psa 50:14-15). He has made them in his distress and lets God know that he has not forgotten them. David, in making a vow, is a picture of the Lord Jesus, Who made the vow to God to do His will (Heb 10:7; Psa 40:7-8). He did not make His vow subject to any condition, but made it out of love and devotion to His God.

The Messiah perfectly feared God’s Name and perfectly fulfilled His vow. As a reward for that, He received the inheritance that God gives to all those who fear His Name. Moreover, He also acquired the right to the inheritance through His work on the cross (Rev 5:1-10). All who fear God will receive the inheritance because He accomplished the work on the cross for them. As a result, they have also become heirs (Eph 1:10-11 ; Eph 3:6).