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PSALM 61

By: Steve Negley

Posted: October 5, 2023

Category: Daily Devotional

REFUGE

Assurance of God’s Protection

To the leader: with stringed instruments. Of David.

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,
for you are my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me abide in your tent forever,
find refuge under the shelter of your wings.
For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

 So I will always sing praises to your name,
as I pay my vows day after day.

The repeated word in this psalm is refuge.

The Oxford Dictionary of the English langue offers this definition:

ref·uge
/ˈrefyo͞oj/
noun

a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.
“he was forced to take refuge in the US embassy”

David uses this word often in his psalms.  Here are some of the phrases that further define his feelings of refuge:

Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you are my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me abide in your tent forever,
find refuge under the shelter of your wings.

Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!

When our hearts are faint, we seek the refuge that God provides. And because we find this refuge in our God, we give God praise.

Prayer

God, as I wander this earthly path, here are times when I need shelter, rest, and refuge. Thank you for being my strength and help along the way. Amen.