When I Am Overwhelmed

The Psalms are a wonderful piece of poetry. They are full of truth and testimony that can be sung not only to challenge us, but to comfort our hearts, especially when we may feel overwhelmed. Psalm 61 is tremendous encouragement to those that are perhaps feeling weary in spirit, or have a heavy heart, being burdened down by certain things. 
 
CH Spurgeon said, “This Psalm is a pearl. It is little, but precious. To many a mourner it has furnished utterance when the mind could not have devised speech for itself.”
 
This Psalm would indicate to us that David was in exile (vs 2). David was driven into exile because of the rebellion of his son Absalom. David’s life was threatened and he was yet in danger. It would also denote that the Psalm would have been composed by David after he had returned to the throne. (vs 6)  Delitzsch would have been correct in entitling it, “Prayer and thanksgiving of an expelled King on his way back to his throne.”

David’s response when he was overwhelmed
 
    1. His Prayer
Psalm 61:1 “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.”

1. Cried out unto God, vs 1,2
2. Cried out in Faith, vs 1

 
    2. His Petition
Psalm 61:2 “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
 

1. Overwhelmed heart, vs 2
2. To lead to the Rock, vs 2
3. To be a shelter and strong tower, vs 3

 
Psalm 61:3 “For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.”
 
    3. His Passion
Psalm 61:4 “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.”
 

1. Decision to be in the presence of the Lord for ever. vs 4
2. Decision to trust in the Lord’s protection. vs 4

 
   4. God’s Promise
Psalm 61:5-7 “For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. vs 6 Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. vs 7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.”
 
   5. His Praise
Psalm 61:8 “So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever…”
 

1. Unto the name of the Lord, vs 8
2. Forever. vs 8

 
6. His Practice
​Psalm 61:8 “…that I may daily perform my vows.”
 

1. Commitments and responsibilities, vs 8
2. Daily, vs 8