Psalm 61

0 To the leader: with stringed instruments. Of David.
1  Hear my cry, O God;
  listen to my prayer.
2  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;
3  for you are my refuge,
  a strong tower against the enemy.
4  Let me abide in your tent forever,
  find refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
5  For you, O God, have heard my vows;
  you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6  Prolong the life of the king;
  may his years endure to all generations!
7  May he be enthroned forever before God;
  appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8  So I will always sing praises to your name,
  as I pay my vows day after day.

Daily Prayer (based on Psalm 61:4)

O Lord, today I need to find refuge in You. I long to be like a young bird that finds safety and protection under the shelter of its mother's wings. I need You to be strong when I am weak. I need You to guard my heart from baseless criticism. I need to feel Your presence, the warmth of Your love. I need the rest that You alone can provide. Oh, how I long for You today!

Postscript

Today is my mother's birthday. As I think of all she has meant to me, I remember times when I experienced with her something like Psalm 61 describes. For example, when I was quite young, I suffered from terrible nightmares. They didn't come every night, but they occurred every few weeks for a while. Even before I was awake, I'd be screaming and crying in my bed. My parents would run in to wake me up and calm me down. Then my mother would rock me back to sleep. Nothing in the whole world felt as comforting and safe as being in my mother's arms, knowing that I would be okay. This, Psalm 61 shows us, is how God makes Himself available to us.

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Except for the Scripture text, all material of The Daily Psalm Copyright © 2006 by Mark D. Roberts

Note: You may download the contents of The Daily Psalm at no cost, for personal use or for use in a Christian ministry, as long as you are not publishing them for sale. All I ask is that you give credit where credit is due. For all other uses, please contact me at mark@markdroberts.com. Thank you.

The Scripture text used in The Daily Psalm is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved