Psalms 61

Psalms 61:1

Neginah = smitings. App-65.

Title. of David: i.e. relating to David and to the true David.

Psalms 61:2

the earth: or, the land.

that is higher than I = which will prove higher.

Psalms 61:3

shelter = refuge.

Psalms 61:4

tabernacle. Hebrew. ’ohel, tent (App-40.), i.e. David’s tent on Mount Zion. The Psalm probably refers to Absalom’s rebellion.

trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.

covert = secret place.

wings. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

Selah. Connecting the confidence with the only true ground of it. This is the central member of the Psalm. See the Structure above.

Psalms 61:5

fear = revere.

Thy name = Thee. See note on Psalms 20:1.

Psalms 61:6

many generations = from generation to generation.

Psalms 61:7

abide = remain [enthroned].

prepare = number, or appoint, as in Jonah 1:17.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

Psalms 61:8

To the chief Musician. See App-64.

to = for.

Jeduthun. A precentor appointed by David, by name Ethan (see App-65), afterward called Jeduthun = confession (1 Chronicles 15:17-19; 1 Chronicles 16:41; 1 Chronicles 25:1-6). Other Jeduthun Psalms are Psalms 38 and Psalms 76; in all three “vows” find a place.