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A Prayer for Protection

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

61 God, hear my cry;
    ·listen [pay attention] to my prayer.
I call to you from the ends of the earth [C far from the Temple]
    when ·I am afraid [L my heart grows faint].
    ·Carry [Lead] me away to ·a high mountain [L the rock that is higher than I am; C a place of refuge, perhaps referring to God as the rock; 18:2, 46; 19:14; 62:2].
You have been my ·protection [refuge],
    like a strong tower against my enemies.

Let me ·live [sojourn] in your ·Holy Tent [L tent; C the sanctuary] forever.
Let me find ·safety [refuge] in the shelter of your wings [C an image of compassion, or perhaps referring to the cherubim whose wings cover the Ark of the Covenant; Ex. 25:20]. ·Selah [Interlude]

God, you have heard my ·promises [vows].
You have given me what belongs to those who fear ·you [L your name].

·Give the king a long life [L Add days to the days of the king];
    let ·him live many years [L his years be forever and ever].
Let him ·rule [reign] in the presence of God forever.
    Protect him with your ·love [loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness].
Then I will ·praise [sing a psalm to] your name forever,
    and every day I will ·keep my promises [fulfill my vows].

Psalm 61[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

Hear my cry, O God;(A)
    listen to my prayer.(B)

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;(C)
    lead me to the rock(D) that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,(E)
    a strong tower against the foe.(F)

I long to dwell(G) in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[b](H)
For you, God, have heard my vows;(I)
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.(J)

Increase the days of the king’s life,(K)
    his years for many generations.(L)
May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;(M)
    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.(N)

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name(O)
    and fulfill my vows day after day.(P)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 61:1 In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9.
  2. Psalm 61:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.