Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 61:6
Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: [and] his years as many generations.
6. Thou wilt prolong the king’s life ] Lit., Thou wilt add days to the days of the king. Cp. 2Ki 20:6. From speaking of the people ( Psa 61:5), David passes to speak of himself. His life had been in danger: but now the danger was over. At first sight the words may seem to be those of another, speaking of David, rather than those of David speaking of himself. But he thus uses the third person because he is speaking of himself in his capacity of king, referring to the promises made to the king as such. Cp. Jer 38:5, where Zedekiah says, “The king is not he that can do anything against you” = I, though king, cannot &c.
and his years ] R.V., his years shall be as many generations. This verse is not a prayer, and the text ought not to be altered to turn it into a prayer. It is a confident appeal to God’s promise and purpose. The long life which was one of Jehovah’s special blessings under the old covenant (Exo 23:26; 1Ki 3:11; Pro 3:2, and often), and which was a natural object of desire when the hope of a future life was all but a blank, was promised specially to the king (Psa 21:4). The language is partly hyperbolical, like the salutation “Let the king live for ever” (1Ki 1:31; Neh 2:3); partly it thinks of the king as living on in his descendants (2Sa 7:13; 2Sa 7:16 ; 2Sa 7:29; Psa 89:29; Psa 89:36); but words which in their strict sense could apply to no human individual, become a prophecy of One greater than David; and thus the Targum here interprets ‘king’ by ‘King Messiah.’ See Introd. p. lxxiv ff; and Introd. to Psalms 21.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou wilt prolong the kings life – literally, Days upon the days of the king thou wilt add; that is, Thou wilt add days to those which thou hast already permitted him to live. The language does not necessarily mean that he would have a long life, but that he would still be permitted to live. He had apprehended death. He knew that his life was sought by those who were engaged with Absalom in the rebellion. At first it was uncertain what the issue would be. He had fled for his life. But now, in answer to prayer, he felt assured that his life would be preserved; that he would be permitted to return to his home and his throne; and that as king – as the sovereign of his people – he would be permitted to honor God.
And his years as many generations – Margin, as in Hebrew, generation and generation. This probably means that he would be permitted to live longer than the ordinary time of a generation; that he would live as if one generation – or as if one ordinary lifetime – were added to another, so that he would live through successive generations of men. The average life of a generation is about thirty years. David is supposed to have lived from 1085 before the Christian era to 1016 b.c., or 69 years, which would reach a third generation. This is a more natural interpretation of the passage than to suppose that he refers to an ideal king, or that his dynasty would continue for many generations.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 61:6-8
Thou wilt prolong the kings life: and his years as many generations.
The perpetuity of Christs kingdom
He prophesieth not simply of the stability of the kingdom in his own person and posterity, but under the type; namely, he speaketh of the perpetuity of the kingdom of Christ, the true King of Israel, for which end he prayeth that mercy and truth may be forthcoming to subjects of Christ, that His kingdom may be prolonged; and so David in his time, and all the saints in their time, may joyfully praise God continually. Whence learn–
1. It is not unusual with God, together with present consolation, and the light of future salvation in Christ, to reveal also and give assurance of great things concerning Christs kingdom.
2. The glory of Christ and perpetuity of His kingdom is every subjects good and comfort, for this is comfort for David, that Christ shall live for ever, that He shall abide before God for ever.
3. The kingdom of Christ, and government of His subjects in His Church, shall be allowed of God, and be protected of God, and blessed of God for ever, however it be opposed by men in the world.
4. The perpetuity of Christs kingdom and preservation of His subjects in this life, till they be possessed of heaven, is by the merciful remedying the misery, and removing of the sin which they are subject unto, and by performing of what He hath promised and prepared through Christ to bestow upon them.
5. The best retreat that can be made after wrestling and victory over troubles is prayer and praises; as here David after his exercise prayeth, O prepare mercy and truth; and then saith, unto thee will I sing.
6. As the main matter of our vows is the moral duty of rejoicing in God, and hearty praising of Him, so renewed experience of Gods mercy and truth towards His people in Christ is the main matter of our joy in Him and praise unto Him: O prepare mercy and truth, etc. (D. Dickson.)
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Psa 62:1-12
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 6. Thou wilt prolong the king’s life] The words are very emphatic, and can refer to no ordinary person. Literally, “Days upon days thou wilt add to the king; and his years shall be like the generations of this world, and the generations of the world to come.” This is precisely the paraphrase I had given to this text before I had looked into the Chaldee Version; and to which I need add nothing, as I am persuaded no earthly king is intended: and it is Christ, as Mediator, that “shall abide before God for ever,” Ps 61:7. Neither to David, nor to any earthly sovereign, can these words be applied.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The kings life, i.e. my life. He calls himself king, either,
1. Because he was actually king, though Absalom usurped the throne; or,
2. Because he was designed and anointed to be king; and by calling himself
king, he supports himself under his present straits, and declares his confidence in Gods promise of the kingdom to him. Yet we must not think that David did commonly and publicly call or own himself to be king, which had neither been true nor convenient for his affairs; but this Psalm either was not composed whilst Saul lived, or at least was penned only for his private use and comfort, and not
committed to the chief musician; which indeed it could not be till David had the kingdom, and the inspection of the sacred music and service of the tabernacle.
His years, i.e. the years of my life and reign.
As many generations; as long as if I had a lease of it for many ages. Thus he speaks, partly because his kingdom was not like Sauls, a matter of one age, expiring with his life, but established to him and his heirs for ever; and partly because Christ, his Son and Heir, should actually and in his own person possess the kingdom for ever.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6, 7. the kinghimself and hisroyal line ending in Christ. Mercy and truth personified, as inPsa 40:11; Psa 57:3.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thou wilt prolong the King’s life,…. Or “add days to the days of the King” a. Meaning either himself, who, though his life was in danger by fighting with the Syrians and Edomites, or rather through the conspiracy of his son; yet was assured that he should yet live many years more, and especially in his posterity; and that his kingdom would be established for ever, as was promised him, 2Sa 7:12. Or rather the King Messiah, so the Targum: and Kimchi observes, that if this psalm respects the captivity, the King is the King Messiah: it may be understood of his life as man; who, though he died, rose again, and lives for evermore; and that, as to the glory of God the Father, so to the good of his people, for whom he makes intercession; and of the continuance of his spiritual seed, in whom he may be said to live, and his days be prolonged, Isa 53:10; and of the duration of his kingdom, of which there will be no end. For it is an everlasting one, as follows:
[and] his years as many generations; he living, and his posterity and kingdom continuing, age after age. The Targum is,
“his years as the generations of this world, and the generations of the world to, come.”
a “dies super dies regis adjicieo”, V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6. Thou shalt add days upon days to the king etc. (407) David cannot be considered as using these words of gratulation with an exclusive reference to himself. It is true that he lived to an extreme old age, and died full of days, leaving the kingdom in a settled condition, and in the hands of his son, who succeeded him; but he did not exceed the period of one man’s life, and the greater part of it was spent in continued dangers and anxieties. There can be no doubt, therefore, that the series of years, and even ages, of which he speaks, extends prospectively to the coming of Christ, it being the very condition of the kingdom, as I have often remarked, that God maintained them as one people under one head, or, when scattered, united them again. The same succession still subsists in reference to ourselves. Christ must be viewed as living in his members to the end of the world. To this Isaiah alludes, when he says, “Who shall declare his generation or age?” — words in which he predicts that the Church would survive through all ages, notwithstanding the incessant danger of destruction to which it is exposed through the attacks of its enemies, and the many storms assailing it. So here David foretells the uninterrupted succession of the kingdom down to the time of Christ.
(407) In the Chaldee it is: “Thou shalt add days to the days of the King Messiah; his years shall be as the generation of this world, and of the world to come.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) See margin, and render as a prayer.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. Thou wilt prolong the king’s life The change from the first to the third person is a poetical liberty. The insurrection was a conspiracy against the life of the king. If it succeeded he must die, but faith assures to him the victory. The Hebrew is very simple, “thou shall add days upon the days of the king; his years as generation and generation.” See Psa 21:4-7; and compare 2Sa 7:16; 2Sa 7:19 ; 2Sa 7:25; 2Sa 7:29; from which it appears that the king’s “life,” here, includes his dynasty: perhaps, also, in a higher sense, the King Messiah.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 61:6. Thou wilt prolong the king’s life Thou wilt add days to the king’s days; and to his years generation upon generation. The Chaldee paraphrase adds the word Christ. Thus, Thou shalt give unto Christ, the king, days upon days. His years shall be as the generations of this world, and the generations of the world to come. And so Theodoret observes, that the former part of the verse may agree very well with the Psalmist; but that the latter part of it is by no means applicable to him, but to Christ; who was, according to the flesh, to descend from him, and of whom the Psalmist was an eminent type.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
We must wholly drop all thoughts of David king of Israel in this precious portion of the Psalm; for of none could the Holy Ghost speak in language like this, but of Jesus, who is Jehovah’s King in Zion before God forever. Here we behold him, concerning whom the angel spake, when announcing his incarnation, the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luk 1:32-33 . Hail! thou almighty King of kings, and Lord of lords! Oh! may the knee of my heart be always bent before thee. Phi 2:10-11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 61:6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: [and] his years as many generations.
Ver. 6. Thou wilt prolong the king’s life] The King Christ, saith the Chaldee, who shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shah prosper in his hand, Isa 53:10 . David himself also lived and reigned longer than most kings do, being old and full of days.
And his years as many generations
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
many generations = from generation to generation.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 61:6-8
Psa 61:6-8
THE PRAYER FOR “THE KING”
“Thou wilt prolong the king’s life;
His years shall be as many generations.
He shall abide before God forever:
Oh prepare lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him.
So will I sing praise unto thy name forever,
That I may daily perform my vows.”
“The king’s life” (Psa 61:6). Who is this “King”? As Delitzsch noted, “The Jewish Targum, after the end of the Davidic (earthly) dynasty rendered this place `The King Messiah.’
This shows, of course, that the Jewish interpreters for centuries before Christ interpreted these verses as applicable to the Messiah.
“His years shall be as many generations” (Psa 61:6). These words cannot possibly refer to David; they refer to David’s Greater Son, the Messiah.
“He shall abide before God forever” (Psa 61:7). These words also are a reference, not to David, but to Christ. The RSV has a preferable reading:
“May he be enthroned forever before God; bid steadfast love and faithfulness watch over him!” (Psa 61:7, RSV)
David was the one who did the praying in these verses, and one may wonder if David was really praying for such extravagant and eternal blessings upon himself as those which are outlined in these verses. Yes, they may actually apply to David, as Spurgeon declared, “In a very limited and modified sense, but as Kidner said, “David probably could not have foreseen the magnificent fulfilment of this prayer, which was destined, in the fulness of time, to be granted `in Christ Jesus,’ above all that he could have asked or thought.
“So will I sing praise … perform my vows” (Psa 61:8). This marvelous prayer has soothed and healed the troubled heart of David; and he now feels once more the confidence and security that come of complete trust in God. However, he accepts the sense of obligation that goes along with all of God’s blessings. As Spurgeon put it, “A man who leaps in prayer should not limp in praise.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 61:6. God did not wish his people to have a king and suffered them to have one over divine protest. However, after letting them be formed into a kingdom he promised to bless the king if he would remember his God in all his ruling.
Psa 61:7. For ever means “during the age.” In this connection it means the king would retain his throne as long as he lived. Mercy and truth denotes that the mercy of God will be in harmony with the truth.
Psa 61:8. A part of the vows of David was a promise to praise God daily. In doing that he would be fulfilling his religious obligation to God.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
wilt prolong the king’s life: Heb. shalt add days to the days of the king, Psa 21:4, Psa 21:6, Psa 72:15-17, Isa 53:10
many generations: Heb. generation and generation, Psa 89:36, Psa 89:37
Reciprocal: Psa 16:5 – thou Psa 21:7 – For the Isa 16:5 – in mercy
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 61:6-8. Thou wilt prolong the kings life My life. He calls himself king, either, 1st, Because, if this Psalm was composed before Sauls death, yet even then he knew he was designed and appointed to be king; or, rather, 2d, Because it was not composed till Saul was dead, and he was actually crowned king, at least of Judah. And his years The years of my life and reign; as many generations As long as if I had a lease of it for many ages. Thus he speaks, because his kingdom was not like Sauls, but established to him and his heirs; and because Christ, his Son and Heir, should actually, and in his own person, possess the kingdom for ever. We may observe further here, that the Chaldee Paraphrase adds the word Christ; thus, Thou shalt give unto Christ the King days upon days. His years shall be as the generations of this world, and the generations of the world to come. And so Theodoret observes, that the former part of the verse may very well agree with the psalmist, but that the latter part of it is by no means applicable to him, but only to Christ; who was, according to the flesh, to descend from him, and of whom the psalmist was an eminent type. He shall abide Hebrew, , jesheeb, he shall sit; namely, on the throne; before God for ever Living and ruling as in Gods presence, serving him with his royal power, and worshipping him in his tabernacle. O prepare mercy and truth Or, order, or appoint, as the word , man, here signifies, intending, either, 1st, The graces of mercy, or compassion and truth, or faithfulness, which are the great supporters of thrones; or rather, the effects of Gods mercy and truth. Thy truth, in giving me those mercies which thou hast promised to me; and thy mercy, in giving me such further blessings as I need, and thou seest fit to give me. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever I will never cease praising thee while I live, and after I die, I shall praise thee in eternity. Let us remember, we must make praising God the work of our time in this world; even to the last, as long as our lives are prolonged, we must continue praising him; and then it will be made the work of our eternity in the world to come, and we shall be praising him for ever. That 1 may daily perform my vows That I may pay unto thee those services and oblations which I vowed to thee, when I was in trouble. Davids praising God was itself the performance of his vows, and it disposed his heart to the performance of them in other instances. Praising God, and paying our vows to him, must be our constant daily work; every day we must be doing something toward it; because it is all but little in comparison with what is due; because we daily receive fresh mercies, and because, if we think much to do it daily we cannot expect to be doing it eternally.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
61:6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s {d} life: [and] his years as many generations.
(d) This chiefly refers to Christ, who lives eternally not only in himself but also in his members.