David flees to God upon his former experience, 1-3. He vows perpetual service to him because of his promises, 4-8.
1 [To the Chief Musician upon Neginah. A Psalm of David.]
Hear my cry, O God./
Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to you/
when my heart is overwhelmed./
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I am.
3 For you have been a shelter for me/
and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in your tabernacle forever./
I will trust in the covert 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 shall be as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God forever./
O prepare mercy and truth,/
which may preserve him.
8 So I will sing praise to your name forever/
when I daily perform my vows.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 61[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
This psalm begins with prayer, or, at any rate, with the brief record of a prayer, which David had preferred to God in a season of deep distress. It is chiefly occupied, however, with the praises of God, expressing his thankfulness for a miraculous deliverance which he had experienced from some imminent danger, and for his establishment upon the throne.