Ever felt remote and isolated? Israelites thought of the world as a flat land surrounded by seas. Above the flat earth was an inverted dome of the sky that kept out the chaotic waters and below the earth were more chaotic waters. The ends of the earth would have been the farthest reaches of the populated flat earth in the mind of the writer. However, just because their cosmology is wrong, it does not mean that the sentiment is invalid. The feeling is one of utter remoteness. Have you ever felt ‘isolated’? If so, you have felt how the psalmist feels.
Psalm 61
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.
1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[b]
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Increase the days of the king’s life,
his years for many generations.
7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.
Questions
- Why do you think the psalmist is thinking that his prayer is not being heard?
- Why would this psalm sometimes be connected to the ‘Royal Psalms’?
- What does the psalmist promise will be the result of God’s action?
- When have you or others that you know felt isolated?
- How should we pray when we feel emotionally isolated?
Plymothian 