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Psalm 61 · a question people ask

"From the end of the earth" (61:2): was the psalmist far from home?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say where he was. It says, "From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed" (61:2), and the title names no place or time: "For the Chief Musician. For a stringed instrument. By David" (61:1). In Hebrew from the end of the earth is miqtseh ha'arets (tap end). Another psalm has the same two Hebrew words, of the far places the clouds rise from: "He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth" (Psalm 135:7). And Psalm 46 has the end of the earth too: "He makes wars cease to the end of the earth" (Psalm 46:9). In 61:2 the words stand beside when my heart is overwhelmed. The psalm doesn't say whether the words name a place far from home or are a way of speaking, and these notes don't guess.

The verses

“For the Chief Musician. For a stringed instrument. By David. Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:1-2 · World English Bible
“He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with the rain. He brings the wind out of his treasuries.”
Psalm 135:7 · World English Bible
“He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.”
Psalm 46:9 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 61

Psalm 61: The rock that is higher than I

Psalm 61's rock, higher, tent and shelter (61:2-4) are four Hebrew words that Psalm 27:5 also has. Its "strong tower" (61:3) is a pair of Hebrew words found only three times in the Hebrew Bible, once as "The LORD’s name" (Proverbs 18:10). And it opens asking God to hear (61:1), then says, "you, God, have heard" (61:5).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions