The big picture
Psalms 61 opens in verse 1 with “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 4 with “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.”, and closes in verse 8 with “So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” Repeated or prominent terms include abide, name, vows, attend, covert. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 8Psalms 61:1-8
1–8: Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
Psalms 61:1–8 opens with “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.” and reaches “So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by abide, name, vows.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Psalms 61:1-8
King James Version1Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2From 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.
3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.
7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 61:1 begins with “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 61:4 forms a natural hinge: “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.”
The final note
Psalms 61:8 leaves the reader with “So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words abide, name, vows, attend, covert, daily help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.