4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.
4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow.
4 Then you planted a flag to rally your people, an unfurled flag to look to for courage.
4 You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah
4 But you have raised a banner for those who fear you- a rallying point in the face of attack. Interlude
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
5 For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
5 You've always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you.
5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
5 For you have heard my vows, OÂ God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.
(Read Psalm 61:5-8)
There is a people in the world that fear God's name. There is a heritage peculiar to that people; present comforts in the soul, earnests of future bliss. Those that fear God have enough in him, and must not complain. We need desire no better heritage than that of those who fear God. Those abide to good purpose in this world, who abide before God, serve him, and walk in his fear; those who do so, shall abide before him for ever. And these words are to be applied to Him of whom the angel said, the Lord shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, Luke 1:32. God's promises, and our faith in them, are not to do away, but to encourage prayer. We need not desire to be better secured than under the protection of God's mercy and truth. And if we partake of that grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ, we may praise him, whatever be our outward circumstances. But renewed experience of God's mercy and truth towards his people in Christ, is the main matter of our joy in him, and our praise unto him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 60:4
Commentary on Psalm 60:1-5
(Read Psalm 60:1-5)
David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubles began, therefore in his favour their prosperity must begin. Those breaches and divisions which the folly and corruption of man make, nothing but the wisdom and grace of God can repair, by pouring out a spirit of love and peace, by which only a kingdom is saved from ruin. The anger of God against sin, is the only cause of all misery, private or public, that has been, is, or shall be. In all these cases there is no remedy, but by returning to the Lord with repentance, faith, and prayer; beseeching him to return to us. Christ, the Son of David, is given for a banner to those that fear God; in him they are gathered together in one, and take courage. In his name and strength they wage war with the powers of darkness.