Psa 61 | MHCC | e4.org | 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.

‏ Psalms 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