Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 61

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I .

Or rather, of the Land: To which David was driven by the Tyranny of his Enemies.

Convey me into some high and secure Fortress, which I could not reach without thy Succour, and where mine Enemies cannot come at me. He alludes to their Custom of securing themselves in Rocks, 1 Sam. 13. 6. &c.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever : I will trust in the covert of thy wings , Selah.

I shall, I doubt not, be restored to the Tabernacle; from which I am now banished, and, according to the desire of my Heart, worship and enjoy thee there all my days.

In the mean time, whilst I am in Danger and Trouble, I will cast my self upon thy Protection with full Confidence.

Marginal references: Or, make my Refuge.

5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows : thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name .

My servent Prayers, attended with many Vows and Promises, as was usual, especially in Cases of great Danger or Difficulty. Gen. 28. 20. Iudg. 11. 30, 31.

Thou hast alloted me my Portion, with and amongst them that Fear and Worship thee, who are the Excellent ones, in whom is all my Delight: And upon that Account I must acknowledge it to thy Praise, that the Lines are fallen to me in Pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly Heritage, Psal. 16. 3. 6. Thou hast granted me this singular Mercy, to live in God's Land, and to enjoy his Presence and Favour, and to Worship in his Tabernacle; which is the Heritage that I and all that Fear thee, prize and desire above all things in the World.

6 Thou wilt prolong the kings life : and his years , as many generations .

(i. e.) My Life. He calls himself King; Either, 1. Because he was actually King, though Absalom Usurped the Throne: Or, 2. Because he was designed and anointed to be King; and by calling himself King, he supports himself under his present straits, and declares his Confidence in God's promise of the Kingdom to him. Yet we must not think that David did commonly and publickly Call, or own himself to be King, which had neither been True, nor Covenient for his Affairs: But this Psalm, either was not Composed whilst Saul lived, or, at least, was Penned onely for his private use and Comfort, and not Committed to the chief Musician; which indeed it could not be till David had the Kingdom, and the Inspection of the sacred Musick and service of the Tabernacle.

(i. e.) The years of my Life and Reign.

As long as if I had a Lease of it for many Ages. Thus he speaks; Partly, because his Kingdom was not like Saul's, a matter of one Age, expiring with his Life, but Established to him, and his Heirs for ever: and Partly, because Christ, his Son and Heir, should actually, and in his own Person possess the Kingdom for ever.

Marginal references: Heb. thou shalt add days to the days of the King.; Heb. as Generation and Generation.

7 He shall abide before God l for ever: O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him.

Or, sit, to wit, in the Throne, Ier: 13. 13. Living and Ruling as in God's Presence, and serving God with his Royal Power, and Worshiping him in his Tabernacle.

Or, Order or appoint, as this Word signifies, Ionah 1. 17. and 4. 6.

Either, 1. The graces of Mercy or Compassion, and Truth or Faithfulness; which are the great supporters of Thrones, Prov. 20. 28. and 29. 14. Or rather, 2. Thy Mercy and Truth, (i. e.) The Effects of them. Thy Truth in giving me those Mercies, which thou hast promised to me: and thy Mercy in giving me such further Blessings, as I need, and thou [illegible: 1+ letters]eest fit to give me.

Marginal references: Pro. 20. 28.

8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows .

That so I may pay unto thee those Services and Sacrifices, which I vowed to thee when I was in Trouble.