PSALM 61

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

David flees to God Psalm 61.1-3

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth will I cry <call> to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting.

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [yes, a rock that is too high for me];

3 for you have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary.

He vows perpetual service unto Him Psalm 61.4-8

4 I will dwell in Your tabernacle <Let me abide in Your tent> forever; let me find refuge and trust in the shelter of Your wings.

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear, revere, and honor Your name.

6 May You prolong the [true] King's life [adding days upon days], and may His years be to the last generation [of this world and the generations of the world to come].

7 May He sit enthroned forever before [the face of] God; O ordain <appoint> that loving-kindness <steadfast love> and faithfulness may watch over Him!

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

 

PSALM 62

To the Chief Musician; according to Jeduthun [Ethan, the noted musician, founder of an official musical family]. A Psalm of David.

David, professing his confidence in God, encourages the godly Psalm 62.1-12

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.

2 He only is my Rock and my Salvation, me Defence and my Fortress, I shall not be greatly moved.

3 How long will you set upon a man <assail a person> that you may slay him, all of you, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

4 They only consult to cast him down from his height [to dishonor him]; they delight in lies. They bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly.

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

5 My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.

6 He only <alone> is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defence and my Fortress, I shall not be moved <shaken>.

7 With <On> God rests my salvation <deliverance> and my glory <honor>; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!

8 Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower).

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

9 Men of low degree [in the social scale] are emptiness (futility, a breath) and men of high degree [in the same scale] are a lie and a delusion. In the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

10 Trust not in and rely confidently not on extortion and oppression, and do not vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 God has spoken once, twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,

12 also to You, O Lord, belong mercy and loving-kindness <steadfast love>. For You render <repay> to every man <all> according to his work. [Jer 17.10; Rev 22.12]

 

PSALM 63

A Psalm of David; when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.

David's thirst after God's service in his sanctuary Psalm 63.1-11

O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where not water is.

2 So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because your loving-kindness <steadfast love> is better than life, my lips shall praise You.

4 So will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My whole being <soul> shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips

6 when I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches.

7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice.

8 My whole being <soul> follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek and demand my life to ruin and destroy it shall [themselves be destroyed and] go into the lower parts of the earth [into the underworld of the dead];

10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a prey for foxes and jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him [that is, who binds himself by God's authority, acknowledging His supremacy, and devoting himself to His glory and service alone; every such one] shall glory, for the mouths of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

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