1Ouve, ó Deus, o meu clamor; attende á minha oração.
2Desde o fim da terra clamarei a ti, quando o meu coração estiver desmaiado; leva-me para a rocha que é mais alta do que eu
3Pois tens sido um refugio para mim, e uma torre forte contra o inimigo.
4Habitarei no teu tabernaculo para sempre: abrigar-me-hei no occulto das tuas azas (Selah).
5Pois tu, ó Deus, ouviste os meus votos: déste-me a herança dos que temem o teu nome.
6Prolongarás os dias do rei; e os seus annos serão como muitas gerações.
7Elle permanecerá diante de Deus para sempre; prepara-lhe misericordia e verdade que o preservem.
8Assim cantarei psalmos ao teu nome perpetuamente, para pagar os meus votos de dia em dia.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
David cries out from 'the end of the earth,' asking to be led to a rock higher than himself, expresses a desire to dwell forever in God's tabernacle, and prays for long life for the king.
Explanation
This short psalm expresses a sense of being far away or in crisis ('from the end of the earth'), specifically asking for a rock 'that is higher than I' — an image of stability and perspective attainable only with God's help, acknowledging one's own human limitations. The prayer for the king's long life (likely David himself, spoken in the third person, a common poetic device) reflects concern for the continuity of leadership and national stability. Today's application: recognizing that there are perspectives ('higher rocks') that only God can reveal when we are too emotionally overwhelmed to see clearly.
Fun facts
- The expression 'the rock that is higher than I' (v.2) is often used in Christian counseling as a metaphor for seeking a greater perspective (God's) when one's own emotional or mental resources are insufficient to handle a crisis.
- The title mentions 'Neginah,' a term indicating accompaniment with a stringed instrument, suggesting that this psalm, though short, had a specific musical arrangement within temple worship.