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The Rock That Is Higher Than I-Psalm Sixty-One
THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I
---- PSALM SIXTY-ONE
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. (Psalm 61:1-8)
This psalm like many of the psalms of David begins with prayer and tears, but ends with songs of praise to the Almighty. His prayer was addressed humbly to the Creator. Hardships often draw us closer to God. The psalmist prayed, "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." He was asking God to lead him to a place of refuge and safety. In a very real sense Jesus Christ is that Rock that is higher than I. David promised that he would dwell in the tabernacle of God or in God's dwelling place even if he could not be in the kings palace. Eternal life is our heritage in Christ. Death often threatened David, but God added days to his years and preserved His beloved king. We cannot help and preserve ourselves; nothing short of Divine mercy and truth can do that. David promised to praise God because his prayers were answered. What better could we do with our life than to praise God forever.
The prayer and promises of the psalmist -- Psalm 61:1-4: The author of this Psalm prays and vows perpetual service to God. David had confidence in the supreme God, the God of the Bible. In David's prayers there is always intercession and supplication. He prays for himself but he also prays often for others. Wherever David was upon the earth he looked to God (1) To lead him to the rock that is higher than himself, (2) To be a shelter for him, (3) To provide a strong tower to protect him from his enemies, and (4) To provide a place of safety under the cover of His wings. "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." (Psalm 9:9)
God heard David as he prayed -- Psalm 61:5-8: God indeed listened to David as he prayed and He responded in a positive way to his request. God gave David a heritage, inheritance or a possession. God has a heavenly inheritance prepared for His faithful children. (1 Peter 1:4) This inheritance is reserved for those who fear the name of God. This fear of God is a reverent awe for our Maker. David's prayer was that he could abide in God's protection and serve Him for many generations. Luke wrote, "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption." (Acts 13:36) David had confidence that God would prolong his life. God would not preserve his life with some armed guard but He would preserve him with mercy and truth. He then promised that he would praise God. He promised that he would pay his vow to God and so every day he did something toward it. Let us also keep our word to God and daily serve Him.
Our God is a mighty God. He prepares mercy and truth for our fortification. (Psalm 61:7) In loving appreciation for the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus you must hear the gospel (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (2 Peter 3:9), confess Jesus before men (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized to wash away sin. (Acts 22:16) God delivered us from sin and damnation through the death of Jesus. Serve Him and never look back!
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA
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