The Continual Presence of God: Psalm 61
“1) Hear my cry, O God; Give heed 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 have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. 4) Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.” Psalms 61:1-4
David was a musician. Many of the Psalms were written for either stringed instruments or to be sung by a choir. Psalm 61 was written for a choir.
Music was an essential teaching tool for the Jewish people. Prior to the printing press, songs and choruses were a simple way to memorize important truth and concepts about God, faith and life.
Psalm 61 in its entirety embodies David’s testimony and dependency on God. These eight verses declare the continual presence of God.
David was constantly on the move fleeing from Saul or on the front lines of battles. No matter where he went, he noted that God was with him, answered his prayers and became his refuge.
David’s acknowledgment in this Psalm of the constant presence of God was a novel concept in Old Testament times. Moses built the Tabernacle to contain Gods presence. David later made preparations for the temple Solomon eventually built. The Gentiles viewed temples or idols as portals to seek their gods.
But in this Psalm, David was acknowledging that God was with him even to the remotest parts of the earth. No matter where he went he could pray, encounter God and be surrounded by His presence. God was his ever present refuge!
This truth is revolutionary even today. Hindu’s have their temples and idols. Muslims pray facing Mecca. Moses went to the tent of meetings. Even Daniel prayed facing Jerusalem. Many people subconsciously think they need to go to a church building to meet God.
But in this Psalm, David expounded a radically different view of God. He saw God as omniscient. He understood there was no place he could run and hide from God’s presence.
I recognize David later made provisions to build the temple and he brought the ark to Jerusalem. A “place” was needed for the sacrificial system and for corporate worship, but his personal view of God was much bigger, broader and more dynamic.
David practiced the presence of God everywhere he went. This Psalm, and others that David wrote were a leap forward in understanding the ever present character and nature of God.
The New Testament pushes this concept to the next level. Not only was the physical temple destroyed, Paul taught that every believer is filled with the Holy Spirit and becomes a temple of God. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20)
Let me apply this in personal terms. God is not only “omnipresent”; but as a believer, I recognize that He is “In Me Present.” He abides in me! He is ever present.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“1) Hear my cry, O God; Give heed 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 have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. 4) Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.” Psalms 61:1-4
David was a musician. Many of the Psalms were written for either stringed instruments or to be sung by a choir. Psalm 61 was written for a choir.
Music was an essential teaching tool for the Jewish people. Prior to the printing press, songs and choruses were a simple way to memorize important truth and concepts about God, faith and life.
Psalm 61 in its entirety embodies David’s testimony and dependency on God. These eight verses declare the continual presence of God.
David was constantly on the move fleeing from Saul or on the front lines of battles. No matter where he went, he noted that God was with him, answered his prayers and became his refuge.
David’s acknowledgment in this Psalm of the constant presence of God was a novel concept in Old Testament times. Moses built the Tabernacle to contain Gods presence. David later made preparations for the temple Solomon eventually built. The Gentiles viewed temples or idols as portals to seek their gods.
But in this Psalm, David was acknowledging that God was with him even to the remotest parts of the earth. No matter where he went he could pray, encounter God and be surrounded by His presence. God was his ever present refuge!
This truth is revolutionary even today. Hindu’s have their temples and idols. Muslims pray facing Mecca. Moses went to the tent of meetings. Even Daniel prayed facing Jerusalem. Many people subconsciously think they need to go to a church building to meet God.
But in this Psalm, David expounded a radically different view of God. He saw God as omniscient. He understood there was no place he could run and hide from God’s presence.
I recognize David later made provisions to build the temple and he brought the ark to Jerusalem. A “place” was needed for the sacrificial system and for corporate worship, but his personal view of God was much bigger, broader and more dynamic.
David practiced the presence of God everywhere he went. This Psalm, and others that David wrote were a leap forward in understanding the ever present character and nature of God.
The New Testament pushes this concept to the next level. Not only was the physical temple destroyed, Paul taught that every believer is filled with the Holy Spirit and becomes a temple of God. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20)
Let me apply this in personal terms. God is not only “omnipresent”; but as a believer, I recognize that He is “In Me Present.” He abides in me! He is ever present.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
