Psalm 59 — 62
David a throne forever and a dynasty forever (89:36), and this has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Luke 1:30–37; Acts 2:22–36). David's concern was not for his own name or family but for the future of Israel and God's great plan of redemption. His own throne was in jeopardy at that time, but he had confidence that God would keep His promises. "May he sit enthroned forever" (v. 7 AMP) meant "May King David live out his full life" protected by God's mercy and truth, but to believers today it means, "May Jesus Christ reign forever!" The throne of glory is secure, for God has set His King on His holy hill of Zion (2:6)! In view of this, let's follow David's example and trust the Lord, call on Him, obey Him "day after day," and sing His praises.
be conquered, but Israel will grow strong" (Num. 24:18 niv).
PSALM 61
David could have written this psalm during any of the many times he was in danger, but perhaps the best context is the rebellion under Absalom (2 Sam. 15—18). David prayed about a foe (v. 3), protection for his life (v. 6), and the security of his throne (v. 7, where "abide" means "be enthroned"). The psalm opens with David crying out in distress but closes with him singing praises to God.
"Hear Me"—A Cry to the Lord (vv. 1–4) There was an urgency in David's cry because he was overwhelmed by what was happening and fainting under the pressure. (See Ps. 142.) He was obviously not at "the ends of the earth," but he felt that way, for he was away from home and away from the sanctuary of God. He was describing "spiritual geography" and his need to know the presence of God in what was going on. The image of the Lord as "rock" is a familiar one in David's writings (18:2, 31, 46; 62:2, 6, 7; etc.). David was unable to "climb" higher by himself; he needed the Lord to help him and sustain him (see 62:2, 6, 7). We are never so far away that we can't pray to God, or, as in the case of Jonah, so far down (Jonah 2). David looked back at his life and was encouraged to remember that God had never failed him in any crisis (v. 3), and He would not fail him now. To David, God's home was the tabernacle, the place where His glory dwelt; and David longed to be back in Jerusalem to worship and adore his Lord (v. 4). "Wings" probably refers to the cherubim on the mercy seat that covered the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies (36:7–8; 57:1; 63:2, 7). David was not a priest, so he couldn't enter the Holy of Holies, but he could abide in the Lord and find refuge in Him (46:1; 90:1). God's "wings" provided safety right where David was, so he didn't need his own "wings" to fly away (55:6–8). "Forever" in verse 4 carries the meaning of "all my life" (1 Sam. 1:22).