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Psalms 61:2
Verse
Context
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
heart is overwhelmed--literally, "covered over with darkness," or, "distress." to the rock-- (Psa 18:2; Psa 40:2). higher than I--which otherwise I cannot ascend.
John Gill Bible Commentary
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,.... Where he now was, as is observed on the title; see Gill on Psa 61:1, though he was distant from his own house, and from the house of God, he did not restrain prayer before him, but continued to cry unto him, and determined to do so; and as the people of God are sometimes forced to flee to distant parts, they have a God still to go to, who is a God afar off, as well as at hand. It may be the psalmist may represent the church in Gospel times, throughout the whole world, even at the further parts of it, in the isles afar off, where men may and do lift up holy hands to God without wrath and doubting: when my heart is overwhelmed; or "covered" (x); with grief and sorrow for any trouble, outward or inward, and ready to sink, and fail and die. Sometimes the saints are overwhelmed with a sense of sin, are pressed down with the weight and burden of its guilt; their faces are covered with shame and confusion; and their hearts are swallowed up and overwhelmed with overmuch sorrow, both at the number of their sins, and at the aggravated circumstances of them; and especially when they are without a view of pardoning grace and mercy, Psa 38:4, Lam 3:42; and sometimes they are overwhelmed with afflictive providences; the Lord causes all his waves and billows to go over them, and they are just ready to sink; and did he not stay his hand, and stop contending with them, the spirit would fail before him, and the souls that he has made, Psa 42:6; and sometimes with divine desertions, which cause a "deliquium" of soul, and throw them into fainting fits, Sol 5:6; and sometimes through unbelieving frames; and did not the Lord appear to them, and strengthen their faith, and remove their unbelief, they would sink and die away, Psa 77:2. And at all such times it is right to cry unto the Lord, and make the following request to him: lead me to the rock that is higher than I; not the land of Israel, as Kimchi thinks, the psalmist being now in the low lands of the Philistines; nor Jerusalem, and the fort and hill of Zion; he being now at the extreme and lower parts of the land: this sense is too low. Some think that some great difficulty is meant; which seemed insuperable, and like a rock inaccessible, which he could not get up to, and upon, and get over; and therefore desires the Lord would lead him up it, and over it, before whom every rock, mountain, and hill, becomes a plain, Zac 4:7; but rather Christ is meant, the Rock of Israel, the Rock of our salvation, and our refuge. He is higher than David, and all the kings of the earth; higher than the angels in heaven, and than the heavens themselves, Heb 7:26; and who by his height is able to protect and defend his people from all their enemies; and by the shade he casts to refresh and comfort them; and by the sufficiency in him to supply all their wants; for he is as a rock impregnable, and well stored, Isa 33:16. And here gracious souls desire to be led by the Spirit of God always, and especially when in distressing circumstances; and he does lead them to his blood for pardon and cleansing, and to his righteousness for justification and acceptance with God, and to his fulness for fresh supplies. (x) "quum tegitur", Michaelis.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
61:2 the ends of the earth: This expression has the connotation of a cry that comes from a place far away from God. • The psalmist’s heart is overwhelmed with deep anguish.
Psalms 61:2
You Have Heard My Vows
1Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. 2From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
When My Heart Is Overwhelmed
By Jenny Daniel2.2K55:16DEU 32:3PSA 27:5PSA 61:2In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of a family who faced multiple tragedies and hardships. They lost their farms, and later, their grandson was killed in an accident. Despite these devastating events, the family did not lose their faith in God. They trusted that God knew what they did not know and clung to Him in their sorrow. The speaker also shares the story of a man who lost all his money and eventually his wife to cancer. Through these stories, the speaker emphasizes the importance of God being our rock of refuge in times of trouble.
Jehovah's Disobedient Servant
By Charles E. Fuller1.5K51:11DisobediencePSA 61:2PSA 100:2PRO 13:15JON 2:1MAT 5:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of holding forth the Word of God in these critical days. He acknowledges that the world cannot offer lasting peace and security, and that true peace and security can only be found in the Lord Jesus. The preacher leads the congregation in prayer, asking for forgiveness of sins and strength for those facing persecution. He encourages believers to be patient in difficult circumstances, assuring them that God's foreknowledge extends to every incident in the lives of his children. The sermon concludes with a hymn about the hope of a heavenly home.
The Path of a Martyr (Compilation)
By Compilations1.0K03:34PSA 18:2PSA 61:2PSA 62:7ISA 32:2This sermon emphasizes finding rest and shelter in Jesus, the Rock of Ages, amidst life's storms and struggles. It speaks of the peace and security that comes from hiding in the cleft of the rock, away from foes and harm, and experiencing a joy that surpasses worldly understanding through Jesus' love. The imagery of resting in the cleft made for us by Jesus is a powerful reminder of finding refuge and peace in Him.
A Rock Higher Than I
By E.A. Johnston97420:04PromisesPSA 46:1PSA 61:2MAT 6:33MRK 4:35ROM 8:28PHP 3:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God sees and is present with us in our trials and storms. He compares God's watchful eye to a silversmith purging impurities from silver, never taking his eyes off the process. The preacher encourages listeners to seek refuge and strength in God, who is a rock higher than us. He mentions the story of Job as an example of someone who faced trials without clear explanations, but still trusted in God. The sermon concludes with the reminder that only God can resolve, heal, and deliver us from our God-sized problems.
Oh Restore Us Again
By Shane Idleman1141:13RestorationHonest PrayerPSA 34:18PSA 51:10PSA 60:1PSA 61:2ISA 40:31ROM 12:2PHP 4:6HEB 11:6JAS 4:81PE 5:7Shane Idleman emphasizes the importance of honest communication with God during times of despair, as reflected in Psalms 60 and 61. He encourages believers to express their feelings of hopelessness and confusion, reminding them that God desires transparency in prayer. The psalmist's cry for restoration serves as a powerful reminder that God can rebuild and renew our spirits, even when we feel broken. Idleman highlights the necessity of faith and holiness in our relationship with God, asserting that true strength comes from seeking Him amidst life's challenges. Ultimately, he calls for a return to God, urging the congregation to trust in His protection and guidance.
The Blessed Forgotten
By Richard E. Bieber0PSA 61:2LUK 4:18LUK 7:22LUK 14:21LUK 15:12Richard E. Bieber preaches on the importance of reaching out to the forgotten and marginalized in society, reflecting on how Jesus prioritized spending time with those considered of little worth. He emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is about finding the lost, saving sinners, and remembering the forgotten, as seen in Luke 15. The sermon highlights the deep compassion of Jesus towards the outcasts and sinners, showcasing the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents and the significance of the Cross for those who acknowledge their need for forgiveness.
Jehovah-Jesus, the Security of Zion
By Thomas Bradbury0PSA 46:5PSA 61:2ISA 43:2JER 15:16ZEP 3:17JHN 14:1JHN 20:19HEB 6:131PE 1:7Thomas Bradbury preaches about the unwavering presence and help of God in the midst of His people, emphasizing the security and comfort found in the covenant promises of God. He highlights the assurance that nothing can separate believers from God's love and the need to trust in His faithfulness, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. Bradbury encourages the congregation to find peace and joy in the knowledge that God is with them, providing salvation, protection, and eternal blessings.
Johnny, Cling Close to the Rock
By D.L. Moody0Trusting GodFaith in AdversityPSA 18:2PSA 61:2ISA 26:4MAT 7:24D.L. Moody shares a poignant story of little Johnny and his sister navigating a perilous tunnel, emphasizing the importance of clinging to the 'Rock of Ages' during life's storms. As the train roars by, the sister instructs Johnny to stay close to the rock, symbolizing the safety and shelter found in Christ amidst adversity. Moody encourages Christians to trust in the strength and protection of Jesus, who is always willing to save and provide refuge from life's challenges. The message underscores the assurance that, despite the trials we face, we can find safety and peace in our faith.
We Need You to Bring Us to You!
By C.H. Spurgeon0Trust in GodDivine GuidancePSA 46:1PSA 61:2PSA 91:1PRO 3:5ISA 26:3MAT 11:28JHN 14:27ROM 8:282CO 12:9PHP 4:6C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the overwhelming nature of life's trials and the need for divine guidance during such times. He reflects on how our hearts can feel like sinking vessels amidst storms of disappointment and inner turmoil. However, he reassures us that God is our steadfast Rock, providing shelter and solace from life's tempests. Spurgeon calls for reliance on the Holy Spirit to lead us to this divine refuge, reminding us of our dependence on God for peace and direction. Ultimately, he highlights the importance of trusting in God's unchanging nature amidst our struggles.
Nothing Satisfies
By Charles E. Cowman0JOB 28:14PSA 61:2PSA 90:2JHN 14:2COL 3:3Charles E. Cowman preaches about the insufficiency of earthly treasures like the ocean and mountains to satisfy our deepest needs, emphasizing that true wisdom and fulfillment can only be found in Christ, who is our eternal friendship and love. Just as an eagle cannot be detained in the forest but soars to its ancestral halls, the soul of man can only find rest in the Rock of Ages and the attributes of God in Heaven. Through Christ, we find our true Home in God, where we are sheltered, cared for, and surrounded by His presence, making us dead to everything but Him.
Psalms 61:2
By Chuck Smith0Trusting in God's StrengthGod as Our RefugeDEU 32:42SA 22:2PSA 18:2PSA 31:3PSA 61:2PSA 62:6ISA 26:4MAT 7:24ROM 8:371CO 10:4Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of turning to God as our refuge when we feel overwhelmed by life's pressures and stresses. He highlights that in moments of despair, we often seek help in the wrong places, leading to irreversible decisions. Smith encourages believers to cry out to God, asking Him to 'lead me to the rock that is higher than I,' which symbolizes strength, security, and life. He draws parallels from scripture, illustrating how God is our rock and source of sustenance. Ultimately, trusting in God as our rock empowers us to find strength and shelter in Him.
The Lord's Invitation to the Ends of the Earth
By J.C. Philpot0PSA 61:2ISA 45:22ISA 53:5JHN 14:6JHN 19:30ROM 3:221CO 1:302CO 5:21EPH 2:8HEB 12:2J.C. Philpot preaches about the mercy of feeling to have little religion, as it humbles us to come empty and needy to Christ for grace and salvation. He emphasizes the importance of being at 'the ends of the earth,' spiritually distant from God, to truly understand our need for a Savior. Philpot delves into the invitation in Isaiah 45:22, urging sinners to look to God for salvation, emphasizing the necessity of recognizing our guilt, shame, and darkness before coming to Christ. He highlights the gracious reason for looking to God - His divine nature as the only source of salvation, righteousness, and love, encouraging believers to find rest and peace in Christ's finished work.
Honey Out of the Rock
By Thomas Wilcox0PSA 61:2PSA 81:16ISA 2:17MAT 7:27JHN 1:14Thomas Wilcox preaches about the importance of having the blood of Christ at the root of one's religion, warning against retaining guilt and self-righteousness which can destroy the foundation of faith. He emphasizes the need to examine the grounds of one's religion daily and to ensure it is built upon Christ to withstand the storms of life. Wilcox urges believers to see Christ as the only source of righteousness and salvation, emphasizing the necessity of beholding Christ's righteousness to mortify sin and find true peace.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
heart is overwhelmed--literally, "covered over with darkness," or, "distress." to the rock-- (Psa 18:2; Psa 40:2). higher than I--which otherwise I cannot ascend.
John Gill Bible Commentary
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,.... Where he now was, as is observed on the title; see Gill on Psa 61:1, though he was distant from his own house, and from the house of God, he did not restrain prayer before him, but continued to cry unto him, and determined to do so; and as the people of God are sometimes forced to flee to distant parts, they have a God still to go to, who is a God afar off, as well as at hand. It may be the psalmist may represent the church in Gospel times, throughout the whole world, even at the further parts of it, in the isles afar off, where men may and do lift up holy hands to God without wrath and doubting: when my heart is overwhelmed; or "covered" (x); with grief and sorrow for any trouble, outward or inward, and ready to sink, and fail and die. Sometimes the saints are overwhelmed with a sense of sin, are pressed down with the weight and burden of its guilt; their faces are covered with shame and confusion; and their hearts are swallowed up and overwhelmed with overmuch sorrow, both at the number of their sins, and at the aggravated circumstances of them; and especially when they are without a view of pardoning grace and mercy, Psa 38:4, Lam 3:42; and sometimes they are overwhelmed with afflictive providences; the Lord causes all his waves and billows to go over them, and they are just ready to sink; and did he not stay his hand, and stop contending with them, the spirit would fail before him, and the souls that he has made, Psa 42:6; and sometimes with divine desertions, which cause a "deliquium" of soul, and throw them into fainting fits, Sol 5:6; and sometimes through unbelieving frames; and did not the Lord appear to them, and strengthen their faith, and remove their unbelief, they would sink and die away, Psa 77:2. And at all such times it is right to cry unto the Lord, and make the following request to him: lead me to the rock that is higher than I; not the land of Israel, as Kimchi thinks, the psalmist being now in the low lands of the Philistines; nor Jerusalem, and the fort and hill of Zion; he being now at the extreme and lower parts of the land: this sense is too low. Some think that some great difficulty is meant; which seemed insuperable, and like a rock inaccessible, which he could not get up to, and upon, and get over; and therefore desires the Lord would lead him up it, and over it, before whom every rock, mountain, and hill, becomes a plain, Zac 4:7; but rather Christ is meant, the Rock of Israel, the Rock of our salvation, and our refuge. He is higher than David, and all the kings of the earth; higher than the angels in heaven, and than the heavens themselves, Heb 7:26; and who by his height is able to protect and defend his people from all their enemies; and by the shade he casts to refresh and comfort them; and by the sufficiency in him to supply all their wants; for he is as a rock impregnable, and well stored, Isa 33:16. And here gracious souls desire to be led by the Spirit of God always, and especially when in distressing circumstances; and he does lead them to his blood for pardon and cleansing, and to his righteousness for justification and acceptance with God, and to his fulness for fresh supplies. (x) "quum tegitur", Michaelis.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
61:2 the ends of the earth: This expression has the connotation of a cry that comes from a place far away from God. • The psalmist’s heart is overwhelmed with deep anguish.