Psalm 61: Lead Me to the Rock That Is Higher Than I

A short prayer from far away, longing for shelter on a higher rock.

Psalm 61 - Lead Me to the Rock

Psalm 61 opens 'from the end of the earth,' with the psalmist's heart overwhelmed and asking, as explored at Psalms 61:2, to be led 'to the rock that is higher than I,' a shelter following the valiant resolve of Psalms 60.


<To the chief music-maker. On a corded instrument. Of David.> Let my cry come to you, O God; let your ears be open to my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I send up my cry to you, when my heart is overcome: take me to the rock which is over-high for me.

For you have been my secret place, and my high tower from those who made war on me.

I will make your tent my resting-place for ever: I will keep myself under the cover of your wings. (Selah.)

For you, O God, have made answer to my prayers; you have given me the heritage of those who give honour to your name.

You will give the king long life; and make his years go on through the generations.

May the seat of his authority be before God for ever; may mercy and righteousness keep him safe.

So will I make songs in praise of your name for ever, giving to God that which is right day by day.

The psalmist vows to abide in God's tabernacle and trust 'in the covert of thy wings,' echoing the rock and tower language of <a href="/bible/bbe/psalms/chapter-18/2">Psalms 18:2</a>. The chapter also prays for the king's long life before the still confidence of <a href="/bible/bbe/psalms/chapter-62">Psalms 62</a>.