Psalm 61:3-5
EasyEnglish Bible
3 You are the safe place where I can hide.
You are like a strong tower
that keeps me safe against my enemies.[a]
4 I want to live in your house for ever.
I want you to keep me safe,
like birds protect their babies under their wings.
Selah.
5 You, God, have heard my promises to you.
You have blessed me,
as you bless all those people who serve you.
Footnotes
- 61:3 The cities often had walls round them. The walls had tall towers. The soldiers could see their enemies from the towers, but the enemies could not reach them there.
Psalm 61:3-5
New English Translation
3 Indeed,[a] you are[b] my shelter,
a strong tower that protects me from the enemy.[c]
4 I will be a permanent guest in your home;[d]
I will find shelter in the protection of your wings.[e] (Selah)
5 For you, O God, hear my vows;
you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers.[f]
Footnotes
- Psalm 61:3 tn Or “for.”
- Psalm 61:3 tn Or “have been.”
- Psalm 61:3 tn Heb “a strong tower from the face of an enemy.”
- Psalm 61:4 tn Heb “I will live as a resident foreigner in your tent permanently.” The cohortative is understood here as indicating resolve. Another option is to take it as expressing a request, “please let me live” (cf. NASB, NRSV).
- Psalm 61:4 sn I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. The metaphor compares God to a protective mother bird.
- Psalm 61:5 tn Heb “you grant the inheritance of those who fear your name.” “Inheritance” is normally used of land which is granted as an inheritance; here it refers metaphorically to the blessings granted God’s loyal followers. To “fear” God’s name means to have a healthy respect for his revealed reputation which in turn motivates one to obey God’s commands (see Ps 86:11).
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