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Psalm 61

For the worship leader. A song of David accompanied by strings.

Hear me, O God, when I cry;
    listen to my prayer.
You are the One I will call when pushed to the edge,
    when my heart is faint.
    Shoulder me to the rock above me.
For You are my protection,
    an impenetrable fortress from my enemies.

Let me live in Your sanctuary forever;
    let me find safety in the shadow of Your wings.

[pause][a]

You have heard the promises I made, O God.
    You have laid upon me the legacy due to those who fear Your name.

Extend the king’s life, day after day;
    increase his years for many generations.
May he be ever present before God,
    attended and guarded by Your loyal love and truth.

So I will never stop singing Your praise;
    as long as I live, I will fulfill my promise.

Footnotes

  1. 61:4 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”

61 1-2 God, listen to me shout,
    bend an ear to my prayer.
When I’m far from anywhere,
    down to my last gasp,
I call out, “Guide me
    up High Rock Mountain!”

3-5 You’ve always given me breathing room,
    a place to get away from it all,
A lifetime pass to your safe-house,
    an open invitation as your guest.
You’ve always taken me seriously, God,
    made me welcome among those who know and love you.

6-8 Let the days of the king add up
    to years and years of good rule.
Set his throne in the full light of God;
    post Steady Love and Good Faith as lookouts,
And I’ll be the poet who sings your glory—
    and live what I sing every day.