Psa 61-63 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 61:1-63:11: Pss 61–63 In these royal prayers, the psalmist longs for God’s presence. All three psalms concern themselves with the king’s security. Summary for Ps 61:1-8: Ps 61 The lamenting psalmist petitions God to protect him and lead him into his presence (61:4-5 ). He prays for God to extend and protect the king’s rule and makes vows to praise God.

Summary for Ps 61:1-63:11: Pss 61–63 ^a In these royal prayers, the psalmist longs for God’s presence. All three psalms concern themselves with the king’s security.
Summary for Ps 61:1-8: Ps 61 ^b The lamenting psalmist petitions God to protect him and lead him into his presence (61:4-5 ^c). He prays for God to extend and protect the king’s rule and makes vows to praise God.
61:2 ^d the ends of the earth: This expression has the connotation of a cry that comes from a place far away from God.

• The psalmist’s heart is overwhelmed with deep anguish.
61:4 ^e The poet longs for God’s presence and seeks entrance into God’s home on earth for divine protection and care. To be received into God’s sanctuary (literally tent) is the greatest good (see 15:1 ^f; 23:6 ^g; 24:3-6 ^h). The Hebrew word translated sanctuary recalls the Tabernacle and the tent that David built for the Ark (1 Chr 15:1 ⁱ). See also study note on John 1:14.

• The shelter of your wings symbolizes God’s protection and care (see Pss 9:9 ^j; 17:8 ^k).
61:5 ^l you have heard my vows: The psalmist’s vows might also be a part of ceremonial sacrifices (66:13-15 ^m; 76:11 ⁿ; 116:14 ^o, 18 ^p). He praises and thanks God for his rescue.

• The inheritance refers to the promise of the land (see Ps 60 ^q), the sacredness of the Temple, the joy of God’s presence (119:111 ^r), or any similar reward (16:6 ^s; 37:9 ^t, 11 ^u, 18 ^v, 22 ^w, 29 ^x, 34 ^y; 127:3 ^z).

‏ Psalms 62

Summary for Ps 62:1-12: Ps 62 ^aa This psalm expresses confidence in the king and offers prayer for him. The king rests in God despite his difficulties. Although his deceptive and powerful adversaries push hard against him, he remains undaunted. He encourages himself and his people to trust in God and to see their human adversaries from God’s perspective, where they appear frail, fleeting, and deceptive (62:9 ^ab). 62:title ^ac Jeduthun: See 1 Chr 25:1 ^ad; also in Pss 39 ^ae and 77 ^af.
Summary for Ps 62:3-4: 62:3-4 ^ag The enemies desire to topple the king with lies and cunning.
62:4 ^ah My high position refers to the royal throne.
Summary for Ps 62:5-8: 62:5-8 ^ai The psalmist encourages himself and others to place their hope in God.
Summary for Ps 62:9-12: 62:9-12 ^aj Unlike God, humans are transient beings. Even when they thrive, their prosperity is fleeting. 62:9 ^ak not what they appear to be: People often try to look stronger and better than they are.
62:10 ^al The crime of extortion means using intimidation and threats to make others give up what is theirs, while stealing is taking what belongs to others.
Summary for Ps 62:11-12: 62:11-12 ^am Strength and unfailing love remain in balance only in God. He cares for his people by ridding the world of evildoers (see 1:6 ^an).

‏ Psalms 63

Summary for Ps 63:1-11: Ps 63 ^ao The king longs for God’s presence so vividly that he eats, drinks, and sees God’s goodness. Though worn out and harassed by the wicked, the king sees God, and this animates him with praise. God becomes his life (63:3 ^ap), while the wicked perish (63:9 ^aq). 63:1 ^ar Together, soul and whole body refer to a person’s entire being.

• parched and weary land: When David was living in the desert, he also found himself in a spiritual wasteland, separated from God’s people and the sanctuary.
63:2 ^as The psalmist remembers that he had found God to be present in his sanctuary (see 18:6 ^at; 61:4 ^au; 62:5 ^av, 11-12 ^aw).
63:3 ^ax better than life itself: The highest quality of life is found in relationship with God (see 4:7 ^ay; 63:5 ^az; Prov 16:8 ^ba).
Summary for Ps 63:6-8: 63:6-8 ^bb The psalmist reflects and meditates on God’s presence through the night. In the absence of light, God is the light. The quietness of the night and the longing for dawn provide time to focus on the true significance of life with the Lord. 63:6 ^bc Meditating on God requires focused awareness, concentration, thought, and reflection (see 1:2 ^bd).
63:9 ^be The wicked were plotting to destroy the psalmist’s life through deception and lies, but they would meet their end.

• The depths of the earth refers to the place of the dead.
63:10 ^bf Wild jackals are associated with desolation and abandonment (Isa 13:20-22 ^bg; 34:10-15 ^bh; Jer 9:11 ^bi; 49:33 ^bj; 51:37 ^bk; Lam 5:18 ^bl; Mal 1:3 ^bm). The wicked will not receive honor in death; their bodies will be left to scavenging animals (Eccl 6:3 ^bn; Jer 22:18-19 ^bo; 36:29-30 ^bp).