Psalms 61:3-7

61:3 Indeed, ¹  you are ²  my shelter,

a strong tower that protects me from the enemy. ³ 

61:4 I will be a permanent guest in your home; ⁴ 

I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. ⁵  (Selah)

61:5 For you, O God, hear my vows;

you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers. ⁶ 

61:6 Give the king long life!

Make his lifetime span several generations! ⁷ 

61:7 May he reign ⁸  forever before God!

Decree that your loyal love and faithfulness should protect him. ⁹ 

[61:3]  ¹ tn Or “for.”

[61:3]  ² tn Or “have been.”

[61:3]  ³ tn Heb “a strong tower from the face of an enemy.”

[61:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “I will live as a resident alien in your tent permanently.” The cohortative is understood here as indicating resolve. Another option is to take it as expressing a request, “please let me live” (cf. NASB, NRSV).

[61:4]  ⁵ sn I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. The metaphor compares God to a protective mother bird.

[61:5]  ⁷ tn Heb “you grant the inheritance of those who fear your name.” “Inheritance” is normally used of land which is granted as an inheritance; here it refers metaphorically to the blessings granted God’s loyal followers. To “fear” God’s name means to have a healthy respect for his revealed reputation which in turn motivates one to obey God’s commands (see Ps 86:11).

[61:6]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “days upon days of the king add, his years like generation and generation.”

[61:7]  ¹³ tn Heb “sit [enthroned].” The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive here, expressing the psalmist’s prayer.

[61:7]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “loyal love and faithfulness appoint, let them protect him.”