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Psalm 61 · a question people ask

Who is "the king" in 61:6-7?

In the text

The psalm doesn't name him. In most of the psalm the psalmist speaks of himself: "I will call to you" (61:2), "I will dwell in your tent forever" (61:4), "So I will sing praise to your name forever" (61:8). In 61:6-7 he speaks of "the king" as he: "You will prolong the king’s life. His years will be for generations. He shall be enthroned in God’s presence forever. Appoint your loving kindness and truth, that they may preserve him" (61:6-7). The title says "By David" (61:1), but the psalm itself doesn't say whether the king is the one praying or another king. Psalm 63, whose title also names David, speaks of the king as he near its end too: "But the king shall rejoice in God" (Psalm 63:11). Psalm 21 says of a king, "He asked life of you and you gave it to him, even length of days forever and ever" (Psalm 21:4), and that chapter's notes set its words beside these. No New Testament verse quotes 61:6-7. These notes don't say who the king is, and don't make him anyone the psalm doesn't name.

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
“I will dwell in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah.”
Psalm 61:4 · World English Bible
“You will prolong the king’s life. His years will be for generations. He shall be enthroned in God’s presence forever. Appoint your loving kindness and truth, that they may preserve him. So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may fulfill my vows daily.”
Psalm 61:6-8 · World English Bible
“But the king shall rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will praise him, for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be silenced.”
Psalm 63:11 · 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