Listen to my cry for help, O God. Pay attention to my prayer. From the ends of the earth, I call to you when I begin to lose heart.
Lead me to the rock that is high above me. You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.
I would like to be a guest in your tent forever and to take refuge under the protection of your wings. Selah [vss 1-4]
O God, you have heard my vows. You have given me the inheritance that belongs to those who fear your name.
Add days upon days to the life of the king. May his years endure throughout every generation. May he sit enthroned in the presence of God forever. May mercy and truth protect him.
Then I will make music to praise your name forever, as I keep my vows day after day. [vss 4-8]
For the choir director; on a stringed instrument; by David. (Psalms 61:1-8 GW)
"Is God a chicken?" I remember Dr Walter Martin asking this nonsense question in answer to a member of the LDS church, who claimed God has a physical body.
This supposition was based on Bible verses where God speaks of having arms, eyes, or even hands (Job 40:9). They claim God has a physical body and humans can become God.
Of course, God having wings, arms, hands, and so on, are figures of speech—descriptive words that convey familiar ideas. Figurative language helps us relate concepts and unfamiliar thoughts with familiar and known images or ideas.
This psalm of David has several figures of speech including, "the protection of your wings," to describe God's protective care. The image is that of a baby bird under the protection of its mother bird.
King David saw the kingdom of Israel as God's kingdom, not his. David's close personal relationship with God is seen in this psalm and is a good example for any and all believers.
King David understood that no matter where he was on earth, regardless of his situation, he could call out to the Lord for help with confidence.
"When I begin to lose heart" is expressed as, "When my heart is overwhelmed," in an another Bible version (Psalm 61:2 NKJV). Most of us can relate to that. We've all experienced a sense of despair that paralyzes us because of fear, loss, doubt, pain, or some other circumstance beyond our control.
David knew the solution—cry out to God. He asks God in anticipation of a time of despair to, "Lead me to the rock that is high above me."
Life can be uncertain. The world around us may seem threatening and unstable. But God is a strong tower. A rock. A refuge. Find protection under His comforting wings. ©Word-Strong_2016
Have you experienced protection under God's wings when your heart is overwhelmed?
Have you found strength in the Rock that is higher than you?
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I won't cover all 150 Psalms, but do selective devotionals through the rest of Psalms.
So if I skip one that you like... let me know and I'll try to cover it!
