Psalms 61:6

THE PRAYER FOR "THE KING"

"Thou wilt prolong the king's life;

His years shall be as many generations.

He shall abide before God forever:

Oh prepare lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him.

So will I sing praise unto thy name forever,

That I may daily perform my vows."

"The king's life" (Psalms 61:6). Who is this "King"? As Delitzsch noted, "The Jewish Targum, after the end of the Davidic (earthly) dynasty rendered this place `The King Messiah.'"[22]

This shows, of course, that the Jewish interpreters for centuries before Christ interpreted these verses as applicable to the Messiah.

"His years shall be as many generations" (Psalms 61:6). These words cannot possibly refer to David; they refer to David's Greater Son, the Messiah.

"He shall abide before God forever" (Psalms 61:7). These words also are a reference, not to David, but to Christ. The RSV has a preferable reading:

"May he be enthroned forever before God; bid steadfast love and faithfulness watch over him!" (Psalms 61:7, RSV)

David was the one who did the praying in these verses, and one may wonder if David was really praying for such extravagant and eternal blessings upon himself as those which are outlined in these verses. Yes, they may actually apply to David, as Spurgeon declared, "In a very limited and modified sense,"[23] but as Kidner said, "David probably could not have foreseen the magnificent fulfilment of this prayer, which was destined, in the fulness of time, to be granted `in Christ Jesus,' above all that he could have asked or thought."[24]

"So will I sing praise ... perform my vows" (Psalms 61:8). This marvelous prayer has soothed and healed the troubled heart of David; and he now feels once more the confidence and security that come of complete trust in God. However, he accepts the sense of obligation that goes along with all of God's blessings. As Spurgeon put it, "A man who leaps in prayer should not limp in praise."[25]