THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER
Key verse: 2
NIV
Psalm 61[a]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;(C)
lead me to the rock(D) that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge,(E)
a strong tower against the foe.(F)
4 I long to dwell(G) in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[b](H)
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;(I)
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.(J)
Footnotes
- Psalm 61:1 In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9.
- Psalm 61:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Cross references
- Psalm 61:1 : Ps 64:1
- Psalm 61:1 : Ps 4:1; 86:6
- Psalm 61:2 : S Ps 6:2
- Psalm 61:2 : Ps 18:2; 31:2; 94:22
- Psalm 61:3 : Ps 9:9; S 46:1; 62:7
- Psalm 61:3 : Ps 59:9; Pr 18:10
- Psalm 61:4 : S Ps 15:1
- Psalm 61:4 : S Dt 32:11; S Mt 23:37
- Psalm 61:5 : S Nu 30:2; Ps 56:12
- Psalm 61:5 : S Ex 6:3; S Dt 33:9; Ne 1:11; Ps 102:15; Isa 59:19; Mt 6:9
- Psalm 61:6 : 1Ki 3:14
- Psalm 61:6 : S Ps 21:4
- Psalm 61:7 : S Ps 41:12; Lk 22:69; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1
- Psalm 61:7 : Ps 40:11
- Psalm 61:8 : S Ex 15:1; Ps 7:17; 30:4
- Psalm 61:8 : S Nu 30:2; S Dt 23:21
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Lead Me to the Rock
To the choirmaster: with (A)stringed instruments. Of David.61 Hear my cry, O God,
(B)listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is (C)faint.
Lead me to (D)the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been (E)my refuge,
a strong (F)tower against the enemy.
4 Let me (G)dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under (H)the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 (I)Prolong (J)the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint (K)steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I (L)perform my vows day after day.
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Cross references
- Psalm 61:1 : Ps. 4, title
- Psalm 61:1 : Ps. 55:1, 2
- Psalm 61:2 : Ps. 77:3
- Psalm 61:2 : [Ps. 18:2]
- Psalm 61:3 : See Ps. 14:6
- Psalm 61:3 : Prov. 18:10
- Psalm 61:4 : See Ps. 15:1; 27:4
- Psalm 61:4 : See Ps. 17:8
- Psalm 61:6 : See Ps. 21:4
- Psalm 61:6 : Ps. 63:11
- Psalm 61:7 : See Ps. 40:11
- Psalm 61:8 : See Ps. 50:14
61 Hear my cry, O God,
(B)listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is (C)faint.
Lead me to (D)the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been (E)my refuge,
a strong (F)tower against the enemy.
4 Let me (G)dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under (H)the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 (I)Prolong (J)the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint (K)steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I (L)perform my vows day after day.
Cross references
- Psalm 61:1 : Ps. 4, title
- Psalm 61:1 : Ps. 55:1, 2
- Psalm 61:2 : Ps. 77:3
- Psalm 61:2 : [Ps. 18:2]
- Psalm 61:3 : See Ps. 14:6
- Psalm 61:3 : Prov. 18:10
- Psalm 61:4 : See Ps. 15:1; 27:4
- Psalm 61:4 : See Ps. 17:8
- Psalm 61:6 : See Ps. 21:4
- Psalm 61:6 : Ps. 63:11
- Psalm 61:7 : See Ps. 40:11
- Psalm 61:8 : See Ps. 50:14
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
We don’t know the exact situation in which David composed this prayer, but it is clear that he was far away from help, and his suffering was so severe that he felt his very life was fading away (2a). In such a time, his prayer expresses the purest spiritual desire (2b). He yearns to live in God’s presence, under God’s protection (4). He wants to live on a level above earthly things.
David remembers how God has helped him up until now as his refuge and strong tower (3). David has hope because of his good spiritual heritage, believing that the faith that was handed down to him will sustain him (5). Then he prays with renewed confidence for God to restore his life (6-7). When we feel weak or crushed under burdens, it is good for us to re-examine our heart and pray to live on a higher plane spiritually. Jesus is the rock on which we can live and always have the high ground.
Prayer: Father, thank you for being my strong tower and refuge until now. Keep leading me to Jesus, the rock.
One Word: Lead me to the rock
