Psalm 61 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 61 Short Summary:

Psalm 61 is a short psalm in which David talks about God’s help in times of weakness. He prayed, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. David also prayed that his reign and throne would “endure to all generations,” a prayer that was answered when Jesus was crowned the eternal king.

Psalm 61 Summary

AUTHOR:

• David authored Psalm 61.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• No Known New Testament References.

THEMES:

• God can lead us to places of safety which are otherwise unattainable.

• The throne of David will be established forever.

DEFINITIONS:

• Shelter of His Wings (61:4) – When baby chicks sense a threat, they’ll run to their mother hen, and she’ll cover them with her wings to protect them. In the Bible, God is described as doing the same thing for His saints, He protects them by figuratively gathering them under His wings.

OUTLINE:

• LEAD ME TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I (61:1-8):

  • Psalm 61 is a short psalm in which David talks about his security in God and how God helps him when his heart is faint.

  • He wrote, “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (61:1-8).

  • God’s figurative rock was a place a sure footing and security. It was above David, not a place he could reach without God leading him there.

  • David wanted to dwell in God’s tent forever and find safety in the shelter of God’s wings.

  • This was a very humble statement considering when David was a king, he had a palace of his own. He knew God’s tent (perhaps he was alluding to the Tabernacle) was a more secure place than a king’s palace.

  • David asked God to prolong his days on the throne. David hoped that his reign and the reign of his descendants would “endure to all generations.” This prayer was later answered by God when Jesus, a descendant of David, was crowned the eternal king!”
    

APPLICATION:

• Did you know you can pray this same prayer even though you and your family aren’t earthly kings or part of a royal family?

• We are promised a “reign” with Jesus.

• 2 Timothy 2:11-12a – “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with Him [Jesus], we will also live with Him. If we endure, we will also reign with Him…”

• Jesus will secure our souls and we’ll be glorified to reign in Heaven. Additionally, our children and descendants can reign along side us.

• It was David’s prayer that his family would reign forever, and he set a good example for them, pointing them to God.

• As parents and grandparents, we need to be setting an example for our children, pointing them to the rock that is higher than us.

• Teaching them that they too can reign with Jesus if they love dwelling in the tent of God more than the palaces of men.