Categories: Psalms

Psalm 61

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Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. 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 faint.
  Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
  for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.
  Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
  For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
  Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
  May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
  So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

(ESV)

Psalm 61 Commentary

by Brad Boyles

When we struggle through hard times, we lose confidence. Our demeanor changes and we just can’t move ourselves to accomplish the basic tasks before us. Everything seems to snowball and we find ourselves trudging through life with a negative spirit just waiting for the next tragedy to occur. It’s a terrible way to live.

There are two variations of confidence – belief in ourselves and belief in God. The former can fail us at any moment. The latter never does. However, we tend to group them together a lot of the time. If we fail, God must have failed us as well. If we struggle, God must not care. These are common emotions that are explored in the book of Psalms.

Prayer is the great equalizer to a lack of confidence. Prayer is what separates those who give up from those who persevere. Prayer draws a clear line between what we are capable of and what God is already doing among us. It’s an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and involvement that gives us new hope. In Psalm 61, David gives us a formula for prayer leading to confidence.

Though David was most likely only across the Jordan in this plea, he felt like he was at the end of the earth. He most definitely had lost confidence in himself.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; 2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, 3 for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

Psalms 61:1-3 ESV

‘Lead me to the rock higher than I’ is a cry for new hope. Again, it’s an acknowledgment that we are unable to catch our breath above the rising waters. David asks for a higher rock with a firm foundation. He is in search of confidence from above that will never fail him. It would be God who would lift him to that place.

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

Psalms 61:5 ESV

David moves from his suffering to confident assurance. God has heard him and will deliver. Faith is restored in his soul as he vows to praise God in that moment.

So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.

Psalms 61:8 ESV

The application is simple. Where have you lost confidence in God? Where are you struggling to keep your head above water? Where do you need to DAILY follow the pattern of prayer and confidence to restore your faith?

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