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Confidence in God’s Protection.

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

61 Hear my cry, O God;
Listen to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help].

For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me,
A strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.


For You have heard my vows, O God;
You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name [with reverence].

You will prolong the king’s life [adding days upon days];
His years will be like many generations.

He will sit enthroned forever before [the face of] God;
Appoint lovingkindness and truth to watch over and preserve him.

So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
Paying my vows day by day.

Psalm 61

For the music leader, with stringed instruments. Of David.

61 God, listen to my cry;
    pay attention to my prayer!
When my heart is weak,
    I cry out to you from the very ends of the earth.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I am
    because you have been my refuge,
    a tower of strength in the face of the enemy.
Please let me live in your tent forever!
    Please let me take refuge
    in the shelter of your wings! Selah
Because you, God, have heard my promises;
    you’ve given me[a] the same possession
    as those who honor your name.

Add days to the king’s life!
    Let his years extend for many generations!
Let him be enthroned forever before God!
    Make it so love and faithfulness watch over him!
Then I will sing praises to your name forever,
    and I will do what I promised every single day.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 61:5 Heb lacks me.

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.