Psalms 61:7
He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
Original Language Analysis
יֵשֵׁ֣ב
He shall abide
H3427
יֵשֵׁ֣ב
He shall abide
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
ע֭וֹלָם
for ever
H5769
ע֭וֹלָם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
חֶ֥סֶד
mercy
H2617
חֶ֥סֶד
mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
5 of 8
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת
and truth
H571
וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת
and truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
6 of 8
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
Cross References
Psalms 40:11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.Genesis 24:27And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.Psalms 57:3He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.Hebrews 9:24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:Psalms 43:3O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.Psalms 41:12And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.Luke 1:33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.Micah 7:20Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.Proverbs 20:28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.Genesis 32:10I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
Historical Context
Kings 'abiding before God' indicates covenant standing maintained by divine attributes, not royal merit. This contrast with ancient Near Eastern kingship theology where kings claimed divine status rather than divine preservation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's mercy and truth function as preserving powers in your life?
- What does it mean to 'abide before God' in Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
The king abiding before God forever, preserved by mercy and truth, links David's temporal reign to eternal covenant. The Hebrew 'chesed' (mercy/lovingkindness) and 'emet' (truth/faithfulness) are covenant attributes (Exodus 34:6). These preserve not by human effort but divine character, anticipating Christ who embodies both grace and truth (John 1:14).