Slices
Prepare
Reflect on these words from the song ‘Who am I?’*: ‘You hear me when I’m calling / Lord, you catch me when I’m falling / And you’ve told me who I am / I am yours, I am yours…’
*Casting Crowns, Beach Street Records, 2003
Bible passage
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.
1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
4 I long to dwell in your tent for ever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Increase the days of the king’s life,
his years for many generations.
7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence for ever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
and fulfil my vows day after day.
Explore
Psalm 61, like many Psalms, starts with a cry for help and finishes with praise. David is feeling so weak and unable to help himself – he prays for a solution that is far greater than anything he could do for himself (the rock that is higher than I, v 2). He has confidence in asking God for help because of his past experience of God’s strength and protection (v 3).
Notice all the word pictures David draws of God in verses 2–4. Which of these brings you most comfort? During the Covid pandemic, when all our norms became like shifting sands, and life sometimes felt like wading through mud, I have been comforted by the numerous mentions of God the rock in the psalms.
As David turns to God and remembers what God has done for him in the past, he gains a more eternal perspective. The troubles he is facing are only temporary, but look at the glimpses of eternity in verses 4–8. Praise God that he also promises us the heritage of those who fear his name!
Respond
Try rewriting this psalm in your own words, putting in your own word pictures to describe God, your memories of his help in the past and your confidence in his promises for the future.
Deeper Bible study
Lord, as we come to you, draw us deeper into your presence. Amen.
What a joy it is to know that when we feel overwhelmed we can cry out to God in the sure knowledge that he hears and responds. King David demonstrates this confidence and, as the Lord was his refuge, so he is ours. Although we are not sure of the context that draws David to record these words, we can be confident that the storms of life appear to have enveloped him.
Like David, we all long for safety and security against the crashing waves. Despite being one of the most powerful men of his time, David recognised that he needed strength from someone higher than himself. He needed a ‘rock that is higher’ than he (v 2), as he was unable to secure a firm footing above his own crisis. His present trust was based on past faithfulness as he declares, ‘you have been my refuge’ (v 3). When the storms of life come, recalling God’s past faithfulness can help us see a way through and increase our faith and trust. David brings to our attention image after image of places of safety: shelter, strong tower, tabernacle/tent and the shelter of wings.
Today’s psalm concludes with the Messianic glimpse towards the one to come from David’s line, who will be enthroned for ever (v 7). We too must cry out to God that we may be led to the Rock. Masterminded by the Father and led by the Spirit, may we all find our shelter, refuge and strong tower in the rock, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Having begun the psalm with a desperate cry, David ends it with praise. May you, with David, know the safety that comes from the Rock who hears your cry and carries you to safety and may your praise of him be declared both daily and for ever.
Be encouraged to lift your eyes towards the Rock. In him, may you find a place of safety. Read Psalm 121 for additional reflection.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 3–5; 2 Timothy 1
Pray for Scripture Union
SU Scotland has some new gap year students starting this month. Pray that those leaving home for the first time will quickly settle, and that God will do a work of grace in and through them as they serve him over the coming year.
