Difference between revisions of ".61:1-8."

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Psalms 61-64 Longing for God

Far from home, weary, depressed and in danger, David seeks refuge and refreshment with God. He trusts that God will bring him safely back to Jerusalem and give him the strength to carry out his promise to lead God’s people in God’s ways (Ps 61:1-5).

The people with him add their support to his request (Ps 61:6-7), and David responds that he will always remain faithful to his task (Ps 61:8).

God alone is the strength of David’s assurance (Ps 62:1-2).

David’s enemies think they can ruin him. They think he is as unstable as a leaning wall, as easy to push over as a broken-down fence (Ps 61:3-4).

Actually, he is as strong and secure as a fortress, for he is built on God. All God’s people should therefore take courage and realize that they can trust in God through all circumstances (Ps 61:5-8).

The unstable ones are those who live as if God does not matter. Life is uncertain, but they put their trust in wealth, even though that wealth must soon be lost (Ps 61:9-10).

The only ones who have true security are those who take God into account and build their lives according to his values (Ps 61:11-12).

At times David experiences weakness and thirst in the dry Judean wilderness, but they are nothing compared with the spiritual thirst he has to worship at Israel’s sanctuary again (Ps 63:1).

He praises God as he recalls the power and glory of God that he experienced at the sanctuary in former days. He looks forward to a life of continuing praise because of God’s continuing love (Ps 61:2-4).

As he lies on his bed he thinks back with much satisfaction at all God’s goodness to him over the years (Ps 61:5-8).

This gives him the confidence to believe that God will punish his enemies and bring him safely back to Jerusalem (Ps 61:9-11).

Again David cries to God to save him from enemies who by cunning and lying seek to kill him (Ps 64:1-4).

They plot their evil carefully, thinking that God cannot see them (Ps 61:5-6).

However, they are deceiving themselves. God will act against them suddenly and certainly, bringing shameful defeat upon them. God’s decisive action will be a warning to others, and at the same time bring honour to his name (Ps 61:7-10).

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 '''Back to [[Psalms~51-100]]'''
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-'''Psalm 60 Psalm Victory over Edom'''
+'''Psalms 61-64 Longing for God'''
-In the war outlined in 2 Samuel 8:3-14 (and dealt with in more detail in 2 Samuel 10:1-19) David fought on many fronts.
+Far from home, weary, depressed and in danger, David seeks refuge and refreshment with God. He trusts that God will bring him safely back to Jerusalem and give him the strength to carry out his promise to lead God’s people in God’s ways (Ps 61:1-5).
-The present psalm concerns Israel’s victory in a battle against Edom. Because of the widespread military activity, a number of people and places are named in the accounts in 2 Samuel and in the heading to this psalm.
+The people with him add their support to his request (Ps 61:6-7), and David responds that he will always remain faithful to his task (Ps 61:8).
-Also three different leaders are named as bringing victory to Israel. The first is David, who was the supreme commander in Israel. The second is Joab, who was the army commander-in-chief.
+God alone is the strength of David’s assurance (Ps 62:1-2).
-The third is Abishai, who was the leader of the army unit involved in the particular battle that is mentioned here (cf. heading to Ps 60:1-12 with 2 Sam 8:13; 1 Chron 18:12).
+David’s enemies think they can ruin him. They think he is as unstable as a leaning wall, as easy to push over as a broken-down fence (Ps 61:3-4).
-While Israel has been fighting to the north and east, Edom and its allies have attacked from the rear (i.e. the south). Israel’s forces have suffered such heavy losses it appears God has deserted them. They have been thrown into confusion, as if hit by an earthquake.
+Actually, he is as strong and secure as a fortress, for he is built on God. All God’s people should therefore take courage and realize that they can trust in God through all circumstances (Ps 61:5-8).
-They stagger like a person who is drunk (Ps 61:1-3).
+The unstable ones are those who live as if God does not matter. Life is uncertain, but they put their trust in wealth, even though that wealth must soon be lost (Ps 61:9-10).
-Since they are God’s people, will he not reverse this disaster and lead them to victory (Ps 61:4-5)?
+The only ones who have true security are those who take God into account and build their lives according to his values (Ps 61:11-12).
-Surely he will, for he has given them his promise. All the enemy-occupied areas, whether west of Jordan or east, will be liberated, for they belong to Israel by God’s appointment.
+At times David experiences weakness and thirst in the dry Judean wilderness, but they are nothing compared with the spiritual thirst he has to worship at Israel’s sanctuary again (Ps 63:1).
-The southern attackers - Moab, Edom and Philistia - will be overthrown and made to serve Israel (Ps 61:6-8).
+He praises God as he recalls the power and glory of God that he experienced at the sanctuary in former days. He looks forward to a life of continuing praise because of God’s continuing love (Ps 61:2-4).
-Why then should God’s people doubt him? He has not forgotten them. He will indeed lead them against the enemy strongholds and give them victory (Ps 61:9-12).
+As he lies on his bed he thinks back with much satisfaction at all God’s goodness to him over the years (Ps 61:5-8).
+This gives him the confidence to believe that God will punish his enemies and bring him safely back to Jerusalem (Ps 61:9-11).
+Again David cries to God to save him from enemies who by cunning and lying seek to kill him (Ps 64:1-4).
+They plot their evil carefully, thinking that God cannot see them (Ps 61:5-6).
+However, they are deceiving themselves. God will act against them suddenly and certainly, bringing shameful defeat upon them. God’s decisive action will be a warning to others, and at the same time bring honour to his name (Ps 61:7-10).