Read Psalm 61 at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph divisions are:
1 Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.
2a From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; {n}
2b Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
6 You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!
8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows. {p}
The chiastic structure highlights the perservation of those who trust in and abide in both the mercy and the truth of God:
1a) Psa 61:1-2, Hear my cry, O God, attend to my prayer;
1b) Psa 61:3-4, You have sheltered me so that I abide in Your tabernacle forever;
central axis) Psa 61:5, “For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name;”
2b) Psa 61:6-7, You will prolong the king’s life and he shall abide before God forever;
2a) Psa 61:8, Hear my praise sung to Your name forever.
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