19. Higher Ground

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Hymns: RHC 151 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 152 Joy to the World, 116 Higher Ground

PSALM 61

1 To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. 5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. 6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations. 7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. 8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

HIGHER GROUND

OUTLINE

(1) Plea (v1-2)

(2) Promise (v3-5)

(3) Praise (v6-8)

INTRODUCTION

The Christian journey is an ever upward journey where heaven is the ultimate destination. The testing of life seemed to be more difficult each passing moment with often no relief but the Lord Jesus our Rock stands steadfast and unmovable as a refuge in every test. This is the psalmist’s testimony.  

“Neginah” means music or song possibly with stringed instruments. It is a feminine proper noun – Neginah (singular), Neginoth (plural). It is used only in the psalm titles.

This psalm is a prayer (תְּפִלָּהtephillah). The first of 17 occurrences in Psalms 4:1 “To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” 

Others include Psalm 6:10, 17:1, 39:12, 54:2, 55:1, 61:1, 66:19-20, 69:13, 84:8, 86:6, 88:2, 88:13, 102:1, 141:2, 143:1. 

There are 3 other occurrences outside the psalms in Isaiah 56:7, Lamentations 3:8, Jonah 2:7. The deep anguish in the soul of the subject causes him to pour out his distress to his God. 

When we study the psalms, we are able to identify ourselves with the emotional anguish of the psalmist’s heart and learn likewise to bring our burdens for God to carry them. The suffering, sorrow, torment, agony, pain and grief of the psalmist is an urgent plea for God to hear and show us a way out. 

The personal pronoun “I” speaks of a truthful confession of the inner recesses of his heart. Notice the transition of the state of the psalmist heart – (1) I cry (v2), (2) I will abide (tarry, dwell, sojourn with God) (v4a), (3) I will trust (seek refuge) (v4b), (4) I sing (v8a), (5) I may perform (v8b). 

This should be the transition in our emotional state as we learn to lift our hearts from a state of deep depression (overwhelmed) our inaction to a state of renewed strength to press on with life.

Step (2), (3) and (4) comes when we seek God in worship by prayer, the meditation & appropriation of His Word and in the singing of hymns. He renews our faith and trust in Him.

  • Plea (v1-2)
  • Promise (v3-5)
  • Praise (v6-8)

(1) Plea (v-12)

1 To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

This is the plea of an anguish heart with tears perhaps flowing uncontrollably, trapped in an enstranged place or position, sinking fast into the quicksand of life’s uncomfortable circumstance.  Grasping for a grip that will firmly usher him to safety. How tough and tense the circumstance. Danger is sensed everywhere. There is a great desperation generated in the heart seeking for needful relief.

The higher ground of safety that the psalmist was pleading for to alleviate his burdened heart, he understood, will come when he sought his God. 

What is the plea of the psalmist? For God to (1) hear (v1a) (2) attend (pay attention) to his prayer (1b) (3) lead (direct) him to higher ground for he is overwhelmed by his problem (v2). 

(2) Promise (v3-5 c.f. 2b)

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. 5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Who was God to him? God is: 

(1) rock (v2b) 

(2) a shelter (a place of safety and protection, security) (v3a) 

(3) a strong tower (of refuge) (v3b) 

(4) a tabernacle (dwelling place) (v4a) 

(5) abiding under the wings of God (cover, hiding place) (v4b).

The rock is a symbol of stability. Jesus is that Rock! 

Only Jesus, only Jesus (2x)                                           

Only He can satisfy,                                                         

Every burden is turned to blessing,                                     

When I know my Lord is nigh.

When we focus our attention on our Lord Jesus, every burden is turned to blessing because He is the source of all blessings! The satisfaction that dawn on the distress turned the heart’s burden to blessing! We have to experience it to know it. The psalmist wanted that we too may experience the sufficiency of God’s grace for every trial. 

The realization and meditation of God gave him spiritual strength, courage and a sudden joy. The word “Selah” provides a well-deserved pause that marked this transition in his emotions. Can my problem be so big that my God cannot solve? The impossibility that God cannot help lifts his heart from sinking sand to firm ground (v4).

“My vows” (v5) speaks of the psalmist consecration to God with promises of service. The word is found twenty-five times in the Old Testament and basically means a solemn promise to God. His vow is heard by God. The inheritance from God is His inexhaustible and enduring blessings to those who humble themselves before Him. The psalmist is reassured in his heart that God has heard his petitions and will help him.

(3) Praise (v6-8)

6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations. 7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. 8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

The climax of the psalm is in the last verse (v8). The psalmist resolved to praise God with a heart whose burden is lifted off and endued with the strength to press on with life. This can only happen when we are connected with the Source of life, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The transition from inactivity and distress to joy in the heart pressing on with life came when the psalmist is fully connected with His Creator to receive fresh supply of strength. 

CONCLUSION

When the saint is on higher ground of God’s promises, there is a strength imparted to live and thrive amidst adversity. May the Lord grant you that strength in your time of need. Amen.