Blog on Psalm 61 - by Rev. Susan Salo

INTRODUCTION: This Psalm serves as a general request for God's help in times of trouble. The royal wellbeing is tied to the wellbeing of the whole people. Verse 8 looks forward to acts of public worship as the proper result of the help for which the Psalm prays.

APPLICATION: this Psalm says that in times of trouble the best thing you can to do is to cry out to God who loves you. How often we need the rock, the strength of God's faithfulness, especially when our own faith feels pretty feeble! We run to him - to that strong tower - we let our weakness carry us to the One whose mercy never fails, whose "love endures forever."

I think of a mother bird gathering her chicks under her wings when danger is nearby. May we also take refuge in the "shelter of [God's] wings." (V4)

Our God's presence is our hiding place and our place of comfort. When we   have run to him in times of trouble, we join with generations of others who have known "from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." (Ps.121 KJV)

(V 6)"Prolong the life of the King." This king, as the Lord's anointed king, would have served as the intermediary between God and his people Israel. We have Jesus, the "high king of heaven," who intercedes for us, who is above any earthly king and has the ultimate anointing as the Christ, the Son of God.

Interestingly, Scripture tells us we also need to pray for our government  leaders - those in authority (1Tim. 2:1-2a). Now, and always, we need leaders who have wisdom, integrity, and who can use power with compassion. Good government means the church can flourish, where we can sing God's  praise and worship together in peace.

PRAYER: Lord we run to you in times of trouble. We trust that you are the rock that is higher than us. We long to be gathered close to you, to hear your heart, to feel your strength, especially when we feel weak. How loving you are. Amen.

SONG: "Oceans" by Hillsong