I want to begin these notes by saying that this chapter has become deeply personal to me. During the writing of these thoughts, my family and I have been walking through a very difficult season of trial. After much prayer and struggle, I made the decision to step away from pastoring for a season in order to focus on the needs of my family.
It felt as though the pressures of life and the attacks of the enemy were piling up from every direction, and we needed time to draw close to Christ again, to heal, and to build ourselves up in our most holy faith.
It was during this very different and unfamiliar season of my life that God continually brought me back to Psalm 61. These verses were no longer just words on a page-they became real to me. God used this chapter to steady my heart, remind me where my help comes from, and lead me again to “the rock that is higher than I.”
David does not begin with polished words. He begins with a cry. There are seasons in life when prayer no longer sounds structured, organized, or eloquent. Sometimes all we have is a heavy heart and a desperate voice reaching toward Heaven. I have been there many times, and honestly, as I write these notes, I feel there even now.
We mean well when we stand in church and pray with carefully chosen words, but there are moments when there is no polish-only a pause, tears, and a cry from deep within the soul.
This verse reminds me that God still listens when life feels heavy, confusing, and emotionally exhausting. There are times when the pressures of life, the burdens surrounding family, and the spiritual battles of the heart become almost overwhelming. In those moments, prayer is not about impressing God; it is about depending completely upon Him.
I love that David says, “Hear my cry.” God is not distant from broken people. He does not ignore weary hearts. Sometimes the most spiritual prayer a person can pray is simply crying out to God because they know they cannot carry the burden alone anymore (Psalm 34:17, Hebrews 4:16, Jeremiah 33:3).
David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise. Thus the soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. And that which separates us from other comforts, should drive us nearer to God, the fountain of all comfort. Though the heart is overwhelmed, yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. Nay, I will cry unto thee, for by that means it will be supported
and relieved. Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is Christ. On the Divine mercy, as on a rock, David desired to rest his soul; but he was like a ship-wrecked sailor, exposed to the billows at the bottom of a rock too high for him to climb without help. David found that he could not be fixed on the Rock of salvation, unless the Lord placed him upon it. As there is safety in Him, and none in ourselves, let us
pray to be led to and fixed upon Christ our Rock. The service of God shall be his constant work and business: all must make it so who expect to find God their shelter and strong tower. The grace of God shall be his constant comfort.
I want to begin these notes by saying that this chapter has become deeply personal to me. During the writing of these thoughts, my family and I have been walking through a very difficult season of trial. After much prayer and struggle, I made the decision to step away from pastoring for a season in order to focus on the needs of my family.
It felt as though the pressures of life and the attacks of the enemy were piling up from every direction, and we needed time to draw close to Christ again, to heal, and to build ourselves up in our most holy faith.
It was during this very different and unfamiliar season of my life that God continually brought me back to Psalm 61. These verses were no longer just words on a page-they became real to me. God used this chapter to steady my heart, remind me where my help comes from, and lead me again to “the rock that is higher than I.”
David does not begin with polished words. He begins with a cry. There are seasons in life when prayer no longer sounds structured, organized, or eloquent. Sometimes all we have is a heavy heart and a desperate voice reaching toward Heaven. I have been there many times, and honestly, as I write these notes, I feel there even now.
We mean well when we stand in church and pray with carefully chosen words, but there are moments when there is no polish-only a pause, tears, and a cry from deep within the soul.
This verse reminds me that God still listens when life feels heavy, confusing, and emotionally exhausting. There are times when the pressures of life, the burdens surrounding family, and the spiritual battles of the heart become almost overwhelming. In those moments, prayer is not about impressing God; it is about depending completely upon Him.
I love that David says, “Hear my cry.” God is not distant from broken people. He does not ignore weary hearts. Sometimes the most spiritual prayer a person can pray is simply crying out to God because they know they cannot carry the burden alone anymore (Psalm 34:17, Hebrews 4:16, Jeremiah 33:3).
David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise. Thus the soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. And that which separates us from other comforts, should drive us nearer to God, the fountain of all comfort. Though the heart is overwhelmed, yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. Nay, I will cry unto thee, for by that means it will be supported
and relieved. Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is Christ. On the Divine mercy, as on a rock, David desired to rest his soul; but he was like a ship-wrecked sailor, exposed to the billows at the bottom of a rock too high for him to climb without help. David found that he could not be fixed on the Rock of salvation, unless the Lord placed him upon it. As there is safety in Him, and none in ourselves, let us
pray to be led to and fixed upon Christ our Rock. The service of God shall be his constant work and business: all must make it so who expect to find God their shelter and strong tower. The grace of God shall be his constant comfort.