seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Psalm 61[a]For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.
1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
listen to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.(b)
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.(b)
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Increase the days of the king’s life,
his years for many generations.
7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
his years for many generations.
7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.
and fulfill my vows day after day.
a. Psalm 61:1 In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9.
b. Psalm 61:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
This is from the easy English site.
David is far from his home in Jerusalem. Maybe he is in Syria, as in Psalm 60. Or, maybe, he is in Edom after he had run away from his son Absalom, when Absalom tried to become king. Sometimes he was sad. This was because he did not think that he could do anything. This is what "my*heart is weak" means in verse 2. He did not feel brave enough to fight, he just wanted to die. But he knew that this was wrong, so he asked God for help. He thought of things around him that made him think about God. To David, God was like a special rock where he could hide.
Beautiful... huh.... Not to David.....
David had a couple of sons.... He had a son with Bathsheba that "died" shortly after birth. He had his son Solomon.... boy was he a jewel.... 700 wives and concubines and only a handful of sons.... and then there was Absolam....who tried to take the throne away from him. Funny.... I was just reading over in Nehemiah 10 that the first born son had to be taken to the alter to be sacrificed.... or purchased back for the price of a sheep.... and I was just wondering what would happen if a father had a son like Absolam.... could he just leave the son there... and not buy him back????
I've told this story before.... I use to work in downtown DC. I took the metro and walked through a park every morning. I would arrive in the city about the time the last of the hookers were going home..... some mornings... it just felt dangerous.... on those mornings it seemed to me that God was walking beside me with His big arm around my shoulders.... and in His other hand.... He'd be carrying a big ol' shotgun.... not that God would need a shotgun..... and I felt comfortable and safe.
They didn't have a metro back in David's day.... they still thought the world is flat. If there was no higher rock around.... well then David was on the highest rock..... But David figured God would just provide a higher rock if he needed one.... Just the thought of God's spectacular ability is enough to suffice.... after all... God is God.... Expect the un-expected.
