Psalm 61 4

Psalm 61:4 kjv

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

Psalm 61:4 nkjv

I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

Psalm 61:4 niv

I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Psalm 61:4 esv

Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

Psalm 61:4 nlt

Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude

Psalm 61 verses

Psalm 61 4 Meaning

Psalm 61:4 expresses a fervent longing for perpetual, intimate access to God's presence and unfailing divine protection. The psalmist desires to continuously dwell in God's holy habitation and to find secure refuge under His shielding care, indicating a deep reliance on God's enduring faithfulness and protection from all threats.

Psalm 61 4 Context

Psalm 61 is a prayer of David, cried out from a desperate situation and a distant land, indicating physical or spiritual exile (Ps 61:2). While specific circumstances are debated (perhaps Absalom's rebellion or flight from Saul), the underlying theme is one of distress and an overwhelming desire for God's steadfast protection and a return to His comforting presence. The psalm transitions from a plea for hearing and guidance to an expression of confidence in God's shelter and His eternal kingship, culminating in a vow of perpetual praise. Verse 4 anchors this hope, revealing the psalmist's core desire to find enduring security in God's immediate sanctuary.

Psalm 61 4 Word analysis

• Let me dwell (גּוּר - gur): This Hebrew word means to sojourn, to abide, or to reside. It often implies a temporary stay, but here, paired with "forever," it transforms into a desire for permanent, continuous presence. It reflects an aspiration for security and intimacy found in constant nearness to God, not merely a fleeting visit.
• in your tent (בְּאָהָלְךָ - b'oholekha): "Tent" (ohel) primarily refers to the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God's presence resided during the wilderness wanderings and pre-Temple era. It symbolized the physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people and the place where His glory could be met. David longed to return to or remain in this consecrated space, signifying perpetual access to divine presence and the rites of worship.
• forever (עוֹלָם - ‘olam): This term conveys perpetuity, eternity, and a duration without end. When connected to dwelling, it emphasizes a longing for an enduring, unbroken relationship and secure belonging within God's sacred space, not merely a transient experience of His presence. It speaks of a deep, ultimate, and everlasting security in God.
• Let me take refuge (אֶחְסֶה - 'echseh): Derived from khasah (חָסָה), meaning "to seek shelter, to flee for protection, to trust in, to confide." This denotes active reliance on God's protection in the face of danger. It implies a conscious act of casting oneself upon God's care, believing in His ability to shield and preserve.
• under the shelter (בְּסֵתֶר - b'seter): "Shelter" (seter) means a hiding place, a covering, or a secret place. It denotes a place of safety and concealment from external threats. God Himself provides this secure and intimate cover.
• of your wings (כְּנָפֶיךָ - k'nafekha): "Wings" (kanaf) are a profound biblical metaphor for divine protection, warmth, and care, often evoking the imagery of a mother bird shielding her young. This imagery signifies God's loving and comprehensive guardianship. It is also linked to the wings of the cherubim over the Ark of the Covenant, underscoring the sacred and powerful nature of this divine refuge.

• Let me dwell... forever!: This phrase expresses an intense longing for permanent residency and a perpetual relationship within God's most intimate dwelling place, signifying eternal security and access to His presence. It reflects a desire for the ultimate peace and stability found only in Him.
• Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!: This is a powerful, protective metaphor. It indicates seeking full, comprehensive protection and comfort from a threatening environment by finding absolute safety beneath God's covering. The imagery assures both divine strength and tender care.

Psalm 61 4 Bonus section

The "tent" (ohel) motif in Scripture is deeply significant, preceding and conceptually linked to the later Temple. It represents God's deliberate choice to tabernacle with humanity (Ex 25:8). For David, recalling his earlier experiences as a shepherd and then king, the tent imagery evokes both the simplicity of life and the majesty of God's presence that journeyed with His people. The "wings" imagery also connects to themes of restoration and healing (Mal 4:2, "Sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings"), extending the concept of divine protection to encompass physical and spiritual well-being. This verse can also be seen as an echo of covenant promises, where God pledges to be a secure dwelling place for His people through all generations.

Psalm 61 4 Commentary

Psalm 61:4 encapsulates the deepest longings of a distressed soul: an eternal bond with God and unfailing protection. The desire to "dwell in your tent forever" transcends physical location; it signifies an insatiable hunger for constant communion with God, dwelling in His immediate and manifest presence, often symbolized by the Tabernacle or Temple. This is not a temporary visit but a perpetual, secure abode, highlighting a covenant relationship where God is truly "our dwelling place" (Ps 90:1). The accompanying plea to "take refuge under the shelter of your wings" paints a vivid picture of absolute security and tender care, akin to a mother bird protecting her vulnerable offspring. This metaphor powerfully conveys God's capacity not only to hide and shield from all harms but also to embrace with loving concern. Ultimately, this verse reveals a trust that God alone provides the permanent spiritual home and ultimate protective covering that human hearts seek, regardless of the trials faced.

• Example 1: Like a child finding complete safety nestled in a parent's arms amidst a storm, the believer seeks absolute refuge under God's sovereign and tender protection.
• Example 2: Just as an exile longs for a permanent home and security, the psalmist longs for an eternal dwelling in God's presence, signifying ultimate belonging and peace.