Psa 61 | NET2full | STEP | 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 .

‏ Psalms 61

Psalm 61 ^{▼▼sn Psalm 61. The psalmist cries out for help and expresses his confidence that God will protect him.}

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

1 O God, hear my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer.
2 From the remotest place on earth ^{▼▼tn 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).}
I call out to you in my despair. ^{▼▼tn Heb “while my heart faints.”}
Lead me ^{▼▼tn The imperfect verbal form here expresses the psalmist’s wish or prayer.} up to a rocky summit where I can be safe. ^{▼▼tn Heb “on to a rocky summit [that] is higher than I.”}
3 Indeed, ^{▼▼tn Or “for.”} you are ^{▼▼tn Or “have been.”} my shelter,
a strong tower that protects me from the enemy. ^{▼▼tn Heb “a strong tower from the face of an enemy.”}
4 I will be a permanent guest in your home; ^{▼▼tn Heb “I will live as a resident foreigner 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).}
I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. ^{▼▼sn I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. The metaphor compares God to a protective mother bird.} (Selah)
5 For you, O God, hear my vows;
you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers. ^{▼▼tn 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).}
6 Give the king long life.
Make his lifetime span several generations. ^{▼▼tn 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.}
7 May he reign ^{▼▼tn Heb “sit [enthroned].” The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive here, expressing the psalmist’s prayer.} forever before God.
Decree that your loyal love and faithfulness should protect him. ^{▼▼tn Heb “loyal love and faithfulness appoint, let them protect him.”}
8 Then I will sing praises to your name continually, ^{▼▼tn Or “forever.”}
as I fulfill ^{▼▼tn Or perhaps, “and thereby fulfill.” The preposition with the infinitive construct here indicates an accompanying circumstance.} my vows day after day.

‏ Psalms 61

Psalm 61 ▼▼sn Psalm 61. The psalmist cries out for help and expresses his confidence that God will protect him.

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

Psalm 61 ^{▼▼sn Psalm 61. The psalmist cries out for help and expresses his confidence that God will protect him.}