Psalm 61: Higher Than I

Photo by Greg K. Dueker

Lead Me…

While I always seem drawn to comment on v. 1-3, and today is no exception, I will try to show the connection, the “stringed instrument” between the four strophes, rather than treating them in isolation.

Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy. (v.1-3)

Certainly, verses 1-3 comprise one of my favorite passages in the Psalms and provide the words for a beloved old-time gospel song as well. One summer, while I was in college, I worked at a large Christian conference center in the mountains of Southern California. As part of the staff choir, I would sing the song based on this passage. The words that still stand out to me are “lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”  I am so glad that God is higher than me, or the "rock" would be less of a rock and more of a low, muddy place.

Photo by Greg K. Dueker

Another way I relate to this passage is that it reminds me of the blue tsunami lines we have painted on the streets in Pacific Coast towns that let you know when you are far enough above sea level that you are safe from any potential tsunami. I like the beach, but I get a little nervous when I am below the blue line. Using this metaphor, the Lord is our tsunami escape route and refuge! He is the "rock that is higher than I"! When we are faint and overwhelmed and know that we are not enough, is the rock we stand on, the rock we trust in, higher than ourselves and our efforts? I hope so. When our heart is faint, from wherever we may be, let us be resolved to call on the Lord, for he is our refuge!

Let Me…

After this first strophe, where the Psalmist could pray verses 1- 2 because of his experience of shelter in verse 3, he follows the same pattern in verses 4-5.

⁴ Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
⁵ For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. (v.4-5)

The psalmist/king asked God to let him dwell in his presence. He prayed verse 4 because of his confident testimony described in verse 5. Why would he want to dwell in God’s tent forever if he did not know the great blessing of being in God’s presence? In Hebrews 11:6, faith is seen as having two parts—a belief in God's existence (He is real) and a belief in his reward for those who seek him (He is good!). For the psalmist, having known/experienced the goodness of the Lord, there could be no better place to spend forever.

Connecting with his heritage (spiritually attuned ancestors) in verse 5, the psalmist prayed for long life in verse 6 for the purpose stated in verse 7, where the steadfast love (Heb., hesed) of God would watch over him.

Love Me…

⁶ Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
⁷ May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

Photo by aaron-burden on unsplash

This prayer sounds like it could be a standard prayer for any godly ruler. It is a “God save the King!” kind of statement. But why does this king, or intercessor for the king, want his life prolonged, poetically “to all generations” (v.6)? Verse 7’s request extends the description of how his life and rule might be preserved…by being in the presence of God and protected by YHWH’s steadfast love and faithfulness. But it is verse 8 that finally reveals the “why” behind the request. 

⁸ So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

The psalmist king desired continued life not for the continuance of his personal power and pleasure, but to use his prolonged life to worship God, both through singing praise and performing his vows (living out his worship). This begs the question: As a king of Israel, what vows would he need to perform?

In ancient Israel, beyond personally obeying the Mosaic Law in a general sense (think of the 10 Commandments and the command to love your neighbor as yourself, plus keeping the sacrifices and festivals), the king of Israel was responsible for building his reign upon the Word of God (writing out a copy for himself and reading it daily), upholding justice for all in his land, inquiring of the Lord for wisdom. The nation's security depended on their spiritual ties to the Living God, and the king generally set an example (for better or worse).

Negatively, there were three representative things that the king was not supposed to acquire many of—

1. horses (lest he trust his military strength or be in bondage to Egypt again),
2. wives (lest his heart turn away from the Lord and objectify others), and
3. excessive gold and silver. (lest he grow proud and stop trusting in the Lord)

Later, an additional warning was added; that kings should avoid wine and strong drink (lest they forget what they have said and perpetrate injustice on the afflicted, Prov. 31:4-5).

Positively, the kings were to fear God, keep the words of the Law, and speak up for the voiceless to defend the poor and powerless (Prov. 31:8-9). One reason for keeping the Word of God central in the life and rule of the king was so that “his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers” (Deut. 17:20). Humility was a social justice value, even in ancient Israel. Unfortunately, not many took it seriously.

Does it sound much like our leaders today? Some, but not all.

But again, the verse that stands alone is the conclusion in verse 8. It is a life that keeps its promises, which can sing true praises to the Lord.

When we have been led to the rock that is higher than ourselves, when we have started walking with God and seen his faithfulness, and when we have been kept by his steadfast love (hesed), then we will want to pay it forward!