Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 61

Click here to read PSALM 61 in poetic form

Background

Psalms 50 through 60 focused on many aspects of the Messiah, Israel’s promised redeemer. Psalms 61-72 complete the Exodus book in Psalms and show the Messiah’s great atoning work.

Psalm 61 has the postscript “for Jeduthun,” which is also found in Psalm 38 and Psalm 76. All three of those Psalms show the importance of keeping “vows” made to God. Jeduthun (I Chronicles 16:41) was a name given to Ethan the son of Kushaiah (I Chronicles 15:17-19). Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were entrusted with the song service by David. Jeduthun’s duties and his sons are mentioned in I Chronicles 25:1-6.

This Psalm is separated into two sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.

Structure

(Verses 1,2) David’s prayer to God, his Rock

(Verses 3,4) God answers David’s prayer

Pause

(Verses 5-7) God hears David’s vows and will send Messiah

(Verse 8) David performs his vows to God daily

Key Scriptures

Verse 4—“I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever.” David expected to spend eternity with God. He had hope in the resurrection because God had promised that the Messiah would come from his family line. Jesus Christ fulfilled David’s hope recorded in Psalm 16:8-11:

• his earthly ministry and fulfillment of God’s calling as the Messiah: the Lord  before him, at his right hand, so never moved from his purpose (verse 8)
• his suffering and death: his soul would rest in hope and not remain in “hell” (the grave) or see corruption (verses 9,10)
• his resurrection and ascension: the path of life with fullness of joy (verse 11)
• his seating and eternal position at God’s right hand: at Thy right hand pleasures for evermore (verse 11)

Verses 6,7—“Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever.” Jesus Christ, the son of David, rose from the dead and is now seated at God’s right hand in authority and power. He abides “before God for ever,” and we have access to the Father through him (Ephesians 2:18; 3:12).

Verse 8—“that I may daily perform my vows.” Like David, Jesus Christ took “one day at a time” and did what the Father wanted him to do (Matthew 6:34; John 5:30).

FOR FURTHER STUDY

All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!

The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.