Psalm 61
Psa 61:1-8. Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Psa 4:1, title). Separated from his usual spiritual privileges, perhaps by Absalom's rebellion, the Psalmist prays for divine aid, and, in view of past mercies, with great confidence of being heard
1-3. From the end--that is, places remote from the sanctuary ([De 28:64]).
4. I will abide--So I desire to do (compare [Psa 23:6]).
trust in the covert, &c.--make my refuge, in the shadow (compare [Psa 17:8]; ).
5. the heritage--or, part in the spiritual blessings of Israel ([Psa 21:2-4]).
vows--implies prayers.
6-7. the king--himself and his royal line ending in Christ. Mercy and truth personified, as in [Psa 40:11]; .
8. Thus for new blessings will new vows of praise ever be paid.
Psalm 62
Psa 62:1-12. To Jeduthun--(See on Psa 39:1, title). The general tone of this Psalm is expressive of confidence in God. Occasion is taken to remind the wicked of their sin, their ruin, and their meanness
1. waiteth--literally, "is silent," trusts submissively and confidently as a servant.
2. The titles applied to God often occur ([Psa 9:9]; ).
be greatly moved--([Psa 10:6]). No injury shall be permanent, though devised by enemies.
3. Their destruction will come; as a tottering wall they already are feeble and failing.
bowing wall shall ye be--better supply "are." Some propose to apply these phrases to describe the condition of "a man"--that is, the pious suffer: thus, "Will ye slay him," &c.; but the other is a good sense.
4. his excellency--or, elevation to which God had raised him ([Psa 4:2]). This they try to do by lies and duplicity ([Psa 5:9]).
5-6. (Compare [Psa 62:1], 2).
7. rock of my strength--or strongest support ([Psa 7:10]; ).
8. pour out your heart--give full expression to feeling ([1Sa 1:15]; [Job 30:16]; [Psa 42:4]).
ye people--God's people.
9. No kind of men are reliable, compared with God ([Is 2:22]; [Jr 17:5]).
altogether--alike, one as the other ([Psa 34:3]).
10. Not only are oppression and robbery, which are wicked means of wealth, no grounds of boasting; but even wealth, increasing lawfully, ought not to engross the heart.
11. once; twice--(as in [Job 33:14]; ), are used to give emphasis to the sentiment. God's power is tempered by His mercy, which it also sustains.
12. for thou renderest--literally, "that Thou renderest," &c., connected with "I heard this," as the phrase--"that power," &c. [Psa 62:11]--teaching that by His power He can show both mercy and justice.
Psalm 63
Psa 63:1-11. The historical occasion referred to by the title was probably during Absalom's rebellion (compare 2Sa 15:23, 28; 16:2). David expresses an earnest desire for God's favor, and a confident expectation of realizing it in his deliverance and the ruin of his enemies
1. early ... seek thee--earnestly ([Is 26:9]). The figurative terms--
dry and thirsty--literally, "weary," denoting moral destitution, suited his outward circumstances.
soul--and--flesh--the whole man ([Psa 16:9], ).
2. The special object of desire was God's perfections as displayed in his worship ([Psa 27:4]).
3. Experiencing God's mercy, which exceeds all the blessings of life, his lips will be opened for his praise ([Psa 51:15]).
4. Thus--literally, "Truly."
will I bless--praise Thee ([Psa 34:1]).
lift up my hands--in worship (compare [Psa 28:2]).
in thy name--in praise of Thy perfections.
5-8. Full spiritual blessings satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
9-10. those ... to destroy it--or literally, "to ruin," or, "for ruin"; that is, such as seek to injure me (are) for ruin, appointed to it (compare [Psa 35:8]).
shall go ... earth--into the grave, or, to death; as their bodies are represented as a portion for--
11. the king--that is, David himself, and all who reverence God, "shall share a glorious part," while treacherous foes shall be for ever silenced ([Psa 62:4]).
Psalm 64
Psa 64:1-10. A prayer for deliverance from cunning and malicious enemies, with a confident view of their overthrow, which will honor God and give joy to the righteous
1. preserve ... fear--as well as the danger producing it.
2. insurrection--literally, "uproar," noisy assaults, as well as their secret counsels.
3-4. Similar figures for slander ([Psa 57:4]; ).
bend--literally, "tread," or, "prepared." The allusion is to the mode of bending a bow by treading on it; here, and in [Psa 58:7], transferred to arrows.