Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Psalms Ch.61 / 150 Ch.s
PS:61
* David seeks God upon former experience. (1-4) He vows to serve
God. (5-8)
#1-4 David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise.
Thus the soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment
of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God,
and may find a way open to the throne of grace. And that which
separates us from other comforts, should drive us nearer to God,
the fountain of all comfort. Though the heart is overwhelmed,
yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. Nay, I will cry unto
thee, for by that means it will be supported and relieved.
Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and
promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is
Christ. On the Divine mercy, as on a rock, David desired to rest
his soul; but he was like a ship-wrecked sailor, exposed to the
billows at the bottom of a rock too high for him to climb
without help. David found that he could not be fixed on the Rock
of salvation, unless the Lord placed him upon it. As there is
safety in Him, and none in ourselves, let us pray to be led to
and fixed upon Christ our Rock. The service of God shall be his
constant work and business: all must make it so who expect to
find God their shelter and strong tower. The grace of God shall
be his constant comfort.
#5-8 There is a people in the world that fear God's name. There
is a heritage peculiar to that people; present comforts in the
soul, earnests of future bliss. Those that fear God have enough
in him, and must not complain. We need desire no better heritage
than that of those who fear God. Those abide to good purpose in
this world, who abide before God, serve him, and walk in his
fear; those who do so, shall abide before him for ever. And
these words are to be applied to Him of whom the angel said, the
Lord shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and of
his kingdom there shall be no end, #Lu 1:32|. God's promises,
and our faith in them, are not to do away, but to encourage
prayer. We need not desire to be better secured than under the
protection of God's mercy and truth. And if we partake of that
grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ, we may praise him,
whatever be our outward circumstances. But renewed experience of
God's mercy and truth towards his people in Christ, is the main
matter of our joy in him, and our praise unto him.