Psalm 61: A Prayer in Exile

It is believed that David wrote Psalm 61 while in exile at the time of Absalom’s rebellion. David had been forced from the city he loved and the sanctuary where he worshiped. He felt so far removed from those beloved locations that it seemed to him as if he were at the ends of the earth (v. 2). How he longed for a high place from which things might look brighter.

“It is well to pray not so much for deliverance as for endurance and elevation. Troubles tend to decrease when they are surveyed from a height.” God had protected David and been a refuge when he was beset with past difficulties.

This trial was perhaps the most difficult event of his life thus far.

But now, all seemed lost.

It seemed impossible that God could reward such treachery as Absalom had committed against his father, yet David was the one in exile.

It appeared he had lost his throne. The country and many of his subjects had turned on him. His top counselor was a traitor. He no longer lived in the city he loved.

Worse still, he could no longer worship God in the sanctuary (v. 4).

This was his most bitter disappointment.

Still, he never doubted God would protect and shelter him under cover of His wings (v. 4). Apparently, David had made certain vows to the Lord, and these emboldened him to make daring prayer requests. David was sure God’s character would not allow Him to ignore the prayers of an honest supplicant (v. 5). He, therefore, prayed God would extend his life (v. 6). This is “a beautiful prayer for a long and useful life in God’s presence, a life controlled by mercy and truth.” David closed his prayer by promising to keep the vows made in verse 5. His strongest desire was to worship the Lord once again in the sanctuary of the people (v. 8).

“O sometimes the shadows are deep, / And rough seems the path to the goal; / And sorrows, how often they sweep / Like tempests down over the soul! / O, then to the Rock let me fly, let me fly— / To the Rock that is higher than I.”