---
title: "Clarke"
description: "The title, To the chief Musician upon Neginath, נגינת. The verb נגן nagan signifies to strike or play on a musical instrument, especially one of the strin"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61"
---

The *title, To the chief Musician upon Neginath*, נגינת. The verb נגן *nagan* signifies to *strike* or *play on a musical instrument,* especially one of the *stringed* kind; but the נגינות *neginoth*, as it is written in about *thirty* MSS., may signify either the *players* on the *instruments* or the *instruments* themselves. The Psalm appears to have been written about the close of the captivity, and the most judicious interpreters refer it to that period. On this supposition the notes are formed.
Verse [Psalms 61:1](../../../kjv/psalms/61/1). ***Hear my cry, O God*** — In the midst of a long and painful captivity, oppressed with suffering, encompassed with cruel enemies and insolent masters, I address my humble prayer to THEE, *O* *my God*.

Verse [Psalms 61:2](../../../kjv/psalms/61/2). ***From the end of the earth*** — ארץ *arets* should be here translated *land*, not *earth*, and so it should be in numerous places besides. But here it seems to mean the *country beyond the* *Euphrates*; as it is thought to do, [Psalms 65:5](../../../kjv/psalms/65/5); [Psalms 65:8](../../../kjv/psalms/65/8), called there also *the ends of the earth* or *land*. It may be remarked that the Jews were always more pious and devoted to God in their afflictions and captivities, than when in their own land, in ease and affluence. But who can bear prosperity? How many hearts filled with heavenly *ardour* in affliction and persecution have grown *cold* under the beams of the sun of prosperity!
***Lead me to the rock*****that*****is higher than I.*** — Direct me to a place of refuge and safety. It is a metaphorical expression; and *Calmet* interprets it of the liberty granted to the Jews by Cyrus to return to their own land. This was a privilege far *higher* than any thing they could expect. The fathers think Jesus Christ is meant by this *high rock*.

Verse [Psalms 61:3](../../../kjv/psalms/61/3). ***Thou hast been a shelter for me*** — During the whole duration of the captivity God marvellously dealt with the poor Jews; so that, although they were cast down, they were not utterly forsaken.

Verse [Psalms 61:4](../../../kjv/psalms/61/4). ***I will abide in thy tabernacle*** — The greater portion of those Psalms which were composed during and after the captivity, says *Calmet*, had *Levites* and *priests* for their authors. Hence we find the ardent desire so frequently expressed of seeing the *temple*; of *praising God there*; of spending their lives in that place, performing the functions of their sacred office. There I *shall sojourn*; - there I *shall dwell*, - *be at rest*, - *be in* *safety*, - *be covered with thy wings*, as a bird in its nest is covered with the wings of its mother. These simple comparisons, drawn from rural affairs and ordinary occurrences, are more pleasing and consolatory in the circumstances in question, than allegories derived from subjects the most noble and sublime.

Verse [Psalms 61:5](../../../kjv/psalms/61/5). ***Hast heard my vows*** — Often have I purposed to be wholly thine, -to serve thee alone, - to give up my whole life to thy service: and thou hast heard me, and taken me at my word; and given me that heritage, the privilege of enjoying thee in thy ordinances, which is the lot of them that *fear thy name*. The Psalm seems to have been composed either after the captivity, or at the time that Cyrus published his decree in their favour, as has been remarked before.

Verse [Psalms 61:6](../../../kjv/psalms/61/6). ***Thou wilt prolong the king's life*** — The words are very emphatic, and can refer to no ordinary person. Literally, "Days upon days thou wilt add to the king; and his years shall be like the generations of this world, and the generations of the world to come." This is precisely the paraphrase I had given to this text before I had looked into the *Chaldee Version*; and to which I need add nothing, as I am persuaded no earthly king is intended: and it is Christ, as *Mediator*, that "shall abide before God for ever," [Psalms 61:7](../../../kjv/psalms/61/7). Neither to David, nor to any earthly sovereign, can these words be applied.

Verse [Psalms 61:7](../../../kjv/psalms/61/7). ***He shall abide before God for ever*** — Literally, "He shall sit for ever before the faces of God." He shall ever appear in the presence of God for us. And he ever *sits at the right hand* *of the Majesty on high*; for he undertook this office after having, by his sacrificial offering, made atonement for our sins.
***Prepare mercy and truth*****, which*****may preserve him.*** — As *Mediator*, his attendants will ever be *mercy* and *truth*. He will dispense the *mercy* of God, and thus fulfil the *truth* of the various promises and predictions which had preceded his incarnation. There is an obscurity in this clause, חסד ואמת מן ינצרהו *chesed veemeth man* *yintseruhu*, owing to the particle מן *man*, which some translate *who* or *what*; and others, *number thou*, from מנה *manah*, to count. *Houbigant*, and he is followed by Bishop *Lowth*, would read מיהוה *miyehovah, Mercy and truth from Jehovah shall preserve him*. The *Anglo-Saxon* has, [A.S.] Mildheartedness, and soothfastness his, who seeketh? which is nearly the rendering of the old Psalter: *Mercy and sothfastnes of him, wha sall seke*? Dr. *Kennicott* says, מן *man* is a *Syriasm*; and should be translated *quaesoutinam*, I beseech thee, - I wish, - O that! On this very ground *Coverdale* appears to have translated, *O let thy lovynge mercy* *and faithfulnes preserve him*! The sense I have given above I conceive to be the true one.

Verse [Psalms 61:8](../../../kjv/psalms/61/8). ***So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever*** — For the benefits which I have received, and hope to receive endlessly from thee, I will to all perpetuity praise thee.
***That I may daily perform my vows.*** — While I live, I shall יום יום *yom, yom*, "day by day," each day as it succeeds, render to thee my vows - act according to what I have often *purposed*, and as often *promised*. The Chaldee ends remarkably: "Thus I will praise thy name for ever, when I shall perform my vows in the day of the redemption of Israel; and in the day in which the King Messiah shall be anointed, that he may reign."
The *ancient Jews* were full of the expectation of the Messiah; the *Jews of the present day* have given up their *hope*.
The author of this Psalm prays and vows perpetual service to God. It is composed of *two* parts: -
I. His prayer, [Psalms 61:1-3](../../../kjv/psalms/61/1-3).
II. His vow, [Psalms 61:4-8](../../../kjv/psalms/61/4-8).
He begins with a prayer, in which he begs, -
1. Audience: "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer," [Psalms 61:1](../../../kjv/psalms/61/1).
2. The reason to enforce it.
1. He was in banishment, in the farther part of the land of Judah: "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee."
2. He was in extremity: "When my heart is overwhelmed."
3. For defence: "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;" that is, To some safe and defenced place to which my enemies may have no access, whither without thy help I cannot ascend.
And he adds a reason to this part of his prayer drawn from his own experience: "For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."
His faith now presents him as delivered; and, therefore, he *vows*, -
1. "I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever." I will return, and adore thee in thy temple.
2. "I will trust in the covert of thy wings." He alludes to the cherubim, whose wings cover the ark.
And for this he assigns many reasons also: -
1. "For thou, O God, hast heard my vows," i.e., my prayers.
2. "Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name; " made me king over thy people, and more fully performed to me the promise made to *Abraham*, in the land of Canaan.
3. "Thou wilt prolong the king's life."
4. "And his years," i.e., in his posterity, "as many generations;" of which the beginning of the next verse is the prediction. "He shall abide before God for ever."
And now David, assuring himself of the crown, and that his posterity should inherit it, puts forth an earnest vote for that which should establish it: "O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him; i.e., me thy king;" for these two *virtues, mercy*, i.e., *clemency*, and *truth*, do commend a king, and make him dear to his subjects; for in the practice of these it is not possible that his government should be harsh, unjust, or tyrannical.
Which if it please God to bestow upon him, then he makes a new vow: "So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever."
Though here this appears to be a new vow, yet he had vowed it before, and engaged to discharge; for in singing praise to God's name, he should but pay what by vow he had often undertaken: "I will sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows."

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Clarke's Commentary -  Psalms 61"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61","name":"Clarke's Commentary -  Psalms 61","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"The title, To the chief Musician upon Neginath, נגינת. The verb נגן nagan signifies to strike or play on a musical instrument, especially one of the strin","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary","name":"Clarke's Commentary"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms","name":"Psalms"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/61","name":"61"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```