Psalms 61:4

A PLEA TO LIVE WITH GOD FOREVER

"I will dwell in thy tabernacle forever

I will take refuge in the covert of thy wings. (Selah)

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows;

Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name."

"I will dwell in thy tabernacle forever" (Psalms 61:4). There is apparently a double significance in these words. David did not dwell "in" God's tabernacle; and Rawlinson proposed that this may refer to David's, "Dwelling spiritually in the heavenly dwelling of which the earthly tabernacle was a type."

Another view is that of Addis, who wrote, "The king mentioned here seems to be a high priest also, for he dwells in the tabernacle (Psalms 61:4) and abides before God (Psalms 61:7)."[18]

Of course, there is only one great King and High Priest dwelling in the presence of God, and that is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Since the Messianic King is most surely mentioned in Psalms 61:6-8, we find no objection to Addis' interpretation; but, at the same time, the thought advanced by Rawlinson that David's spiritual hope was also mentioned here cannot be denied. There is a double significance of the words.

"Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name" (Psalms 61:5). This is the second reason the psalmist advanced as the grounds of his hope of God's help. This "heritage" is extremely important. "The `heritage' is all-embracing, unlimited, inalienable and inclusive of all the blessed promises to Christians. It is the equivalent of `all things are yours.'"[19] "`The heritage here' refers to that distinctive promise which God gave to David through the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 7) assuring him of the eternal continuation of the `Throne of David,' and of one of his seed to sit upon it."[20] Thus, the "heritage" is nothing less than the promise of Christ himself.

These verses from here to the end of the psalm are capable of being interpreted in three ways, namely: "(1) of David himself; (2) of the Davidic dynasty; and (3) of the Messiah."[21] There are elements of all three interpretations in the passage, due to David's being a type of Christ.