1 David encouraged by former experience fleeth to God in prayer: 4 he voweth perpetual service unto him because of past, and in prospect of future, mercies.
To the chief Musician upon aNeginah, A Psalm of David.
1. Hear bmy cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2. From cthe end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when dmy heart is overwhelmed: lead me to ethe rock that is higher than I.
3. For fthou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4. I gwill abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will 1trust in the *covert of thy wings. Selah.
5. For thou, O God, hhast heard my vows: thou hast given me ithe heritage of those that fear thy name.
6. 2Thou wilt prolong jthe king's life: and his years 3as many generations.
7. He shall abide kbefore God for ever: O lprepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8. So mwill I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily nperform my vows.
To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Metrical version
Psalm 61
C.M. Harrington
O God, give ear unto my cry; unto my pray'r attend. From th' utmost corner of the land my cry to thee I'll send. What time my heart is overwhelmed and in perplexity, Do thou me lead unto the Rock that higher is than I. For thou hast for my refuge been a shelter by thy pow'r; And for defence against my foes thou hast been a strong tow'r. Within thy tabernacle I for ever will abide; And under covert of thy wings with confidence me hide. For thou the vows that I did make, O Lord my God, didst hear: Thou hast giv'n me the heritage of those thy name that fear. A life prolonged for many days thou to the king shalt give; Like many generations be the years which he shall live. He in God's presence his abode for evermore shall have: O do thou truth and mercy both prepare, that may him save. And so will I perpetually sing praise unto thy name; That having made my vows, I may each day perform the same.
Here, (1.) David, in commemorating what the Lord had formerly done to him, and in the faith of what he had promised, cries to God for comfort and protection, amidst great troubles, ver. 1-4. (2.) In the view of what God had and would for ever do for him, he supplicates necessary mercies, and resolves on everlasting praise and thanksgiving to God, as his bounden duty, ver. 5-8.
So may all providences, distressful or smiling, lead my soul to a thankful panting for God, as my all and in all.