Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Psalms 61

David, in this psalm, as in many others, begins with a sad heart, but concludes with an air of pleasantness—begins with prayers and tears, but ends with songs of praise. Thus the soul, by being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. It should seem David was driven out and banished when he penned this psalm, whether by Saul or Absalom is uncertain: some think by Absalom, because he calls himself “the king” (Psalms 61:6), but that refers to the King Messiah. David, in this psalm, resolves to persevere in his duty, encouraged thereto both by his experience an by his expectations. I. He will call upon God because God had protected him, Psalms 61:1-61:3. II. He will call upon God because God had provided well for him, Psalms 61:4, 61:5. III. He will praise God because he had an assurance of the continuance of God’s favour to him, Psalms 61:6-61:8. So that, in singing this psalm, we may find that which is very expressive both of our faith and of our hope, of our prayers and of our praises; and some passages in this psalm are very peculiar. MHBCC 540.1