Psalms — Chapter 61

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1Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2From 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.

3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

5For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

6Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.

7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

8So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

1Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.

2From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3For thou hast been a refuge for me, A strong tower from the enemy.

4I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever: I will take refuge in the covert of thy wings. Selah

5For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given [me] the heritage of those that fear thy name.

6Thou wilt prolong the king`s life; His years shall be as many generations.

7He shall abide before God for ever: Oh prepare lovingkindness and truth, that they may preserve him.

8So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows. Psalm 62 For the Chief Musician; after the manner of Jeduthan. A Psalm of David.

1For 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.

2From the remotest place on earth I call out to you in my despair. Lead me up to a rocky summit where I can be safe.

3Indeed, you are my shelter, a strong tower that protects me from the enemy.

4I will be a permanent guest in your home; I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. (Selah)

5For you, O God, hear my vows; you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers.

6Give the king long life. Make his lifetime span several generations.

7May he reign forever before God. Decree that your loyal love and faithfulness should protect him.

8Then I will sing praises to your name continually, as I fulfill my vows day after day.

1Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer.

2From the end of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy.

4I will dwell in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah.

5For you, God, have heard my vows. You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6You will prolong the king’s life; his years shall be for generations.

7He shall be enthroned in God’s presence forever. Appoint your loving kindness and truth, that they may preserve him.

8So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may fulfill my vows daily.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A psalm of trust — from the ends of the earth David cries to God: 'Lead me to the rock that is higher than I'; he asks to dwell in God's tent forever, sheltered under His wings.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Royal Psalm / Individual Lament Attributed Author: David Key Themes: Crying out from a distance, the rock higher than I, God as shelter and strong tower, longing for God's presence, prayer for the king, eternal praise
Historical Context: This psalm likely comes from a time when David was far from Jerusalem — possibly during Absalom's rebellion when he fled east across the Jordan (2 Samuel 15-17). The phrase "from the end of the earth" suggests geographical distance from the sanctuary. David's heart is "overwhelmed" (faint), yet he reaches toward God from afar. The prayer for the king (vv.6-7) may be David praying for himself in the third person (a royal convention) or may have been adapted for later liturgical use. The Messianic overtones in "He shall abide before God for ever" point beyond any earthly king to Christ.
Structure:
  • Cry From a Distance (vv.1-2)
  • God as Shelter and Tower (vv.3-4)
  • Heritage of the God-Fearers (v.5)
  • Prayer for the King (vv.6-7)
  • Vow of Perpetual Praise (v.8)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. You can cry to God from anywhere (vv.1-2). "From the end of the earth" — no distance is too far for prayer. No situation is too remote for God to hear. Even when you feel at the farthest point from God, you can still call.
  • 2. When overwhelmed, seek the rock higher than yourself (v.2). The solution to being overwhelmed is not self-sufficiency but elevation to something greater. God is the rock you cannot reach on your own — He must "lead" you there.
  • 3. Past faithfulness is the foundation of present trust (v.3). Remember what God HAS done. His track record is your evidence. The God who was your shelter before will be your shelter again.
  • 4. The deepest human longing is for permanent presence with God (v.4). Under everything — success, failure, danger, peace — what the soul truly wants is to dwell with God forever. Every other desire is a shadow of this one.