Psalm 61 5

Psalm 61:5 kjv

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Psalm 61:5 nkjv

For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.

Psalm 61:5 niv

For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Psalm 61:5 esv

For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Psalm 61:5 nlt

For you have heard my vows, O God.
You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.

Psalm 61 verses

Psalm 61 5 Meaning

Psalm 61:5 expresses King David's confident assurance in God's faithful response to his earnest prayers and vows, believing that God has not only listened but will also grant him the lasting blessings and heritage reserved for those who hold Him in reverent awe and devotion. It underscores God's personal attentiveness to His servant and His covenant promise to bless those who fear His character and authority.

Psalm 61 5 Context

Psalm 61 is a prayer of lament and confidence uttered by David. The superscription suggests it is "To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Miktam of David." The immediate context of verse 5 follows David's desperate plea for refuge and protection from his enemies (v. 1-4). He describes feeling "faint" and being "at the end of the earth," desiring to be led to a "rock that is higher than I." Verse 5 shifts from a desperate cry to an affirmation of God's prior responsiveness, building the foundation for David's hope for future deliverance and establishment of his kingship (v. 6-7). Historically, this psalm is often linked to periods of intense distress in David's life, such as his flight from King Saul or during the rebellion of Absalom. In these times, David likely made solemn vows to God in return for deliverance, recognizing God as his only sure protector and provider of a lasting inheritance.

Psalm 61 5 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction introduces the reason or basis for David's confidence. It points back to God's past actions, which now inform David's present trust and future hope. It implies certainty.
• You (אַתָּה - attah): An emphatic second-person singular pronoun. It stresses the personal and direct nature of David's address to God, highlighting His singular power.
• God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): The majestic and generic name for God, emphasizing His divine authority and might as the Creator and Ruler. It denotes His sovereignty.
• have heard (שָׁמַעְתָּ - shamata): A past tense verb, implying a completed action. shamata signifies not just passive hearing, but an attentive listening that leads to understanding and intention to act. It confirms God's active reception.
• my vows (נְדָרָי - nedarai): Refers to solemn promises or pledges made to God, often in distress or as devotion. The "my" personalizes these commitments to David. God's hearing implies His acceptance.
• you have given (נָתַתָּ - natata): Also a past tense verb, indicating a completed act of bestowal. This emphasizes God as the generous Giver, the source of all good things. The perfect tense indicates a guaranteed outcome.
• me (לִי - li): A preposition with a first-person singular pronoun. Further emphasizes the specific and personal recipient of God's benevolent act.
• the heritage (יְרֻשַּׁת - yerushat): This is more than a simple gift; it's an enduring possession, an inheritance, often associated with covenant blessings or the Promised Land. It speaks of something permanent and legally bestowed.
• of those who fear (יִרְאֵי - yirei): This identifies the recipients of the heritage. "Fear" here (yare) is not terror but profound reverence, awe, worship, and obedient devotion to God. It characterizes His loyal followers.
• your name (שְׁמֶךָ - shmekha): Represents God's revealed character, His reputation, authority, and presence. To fear God's name is to revere who He is in His entirety, honoring His identity and covenant relationship.

(ul)

• "For You, God, have heard my vows": This phrase establishes the foundational truth of the verse – God's attentiveness and responsiveness. It indicates David's assurance stems from prior experience or unwavering belief in God's character. It highlights the direct, personal interaction between David and his sovereign God, where sincere petitions are met with divine recognition.
• "You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name": This reveals the nature of God's positive response. It's not just an abstract blessing, but a specific, inherited possession—a legacy reserved for God's faithful. This signifies that David, through his piety, identifies himself among the righteous who will partake in God's promises and enduring blessings, which are spiritual adoption and an eternal kingdom (for David, his royal dynasty). This phrasing firmly links God's gift to the reverent lifestyle of those who honor Him.

Psalm 61 5 Bonus section

The use of Elohim (God) rather than Yahweh (LORD) in verse 5 is significant in this Psalm. While both refer to the true God, Elohim often emphasizes His universal power and majestic sovereignty, contrasting with Yahweh which focuses on His covenant relationship with Israel. Here, it underscores God's omnipotent capability to answer prayer and bestow blessings, regardless of David's perceived "end of the earth" distress. The verse's assurance demonstrates that God's faithful remembrance of vows ensures the security of His children's lasting inheritance, irrespective of their temporary earthly trials. This is a foundational theological truth: divine commitment to those who truly honor His Name.

Psalm 61 5 Commentary

Psalm 61:5 functions as a pivot in David's prayer, transitioning from plea to profound assurance. David anchors his hope not on his own merit or circumstances, but squarely on God's established character: His attentiveness ("heard my vows") and His benevolence ("given me the heritage"). The "vows" refer to solemn promises made to God, which God, in His faithfulness, acknowledged. This is more than passive hearing; it implies active engagement and a readiness to act on David's behalf. The "heritage" refers to the lasting blessings, both temporal and spiritual, reserved for God's loyal servants. For David, this specifically included the security of his kingdom and the promise of a perpetual dynasty (2 Sam 7). For all believers, this heritage is supremely fulfilled in Christ, encompassing spiritual adoption, eternal life, and co-heirship with Him (Rom 8:17; Eph 1:11). The qualifying phrase, "those who fear your name," is crucial; it underscores that God’s gifts are not indiscriminately given, but are bestowed upon those who live in reverent submission, obedience, and deep respect for His character and authority. This fear is a trusting, relational awe, not a servile dread, and it is the hallmark of those who truly belong to God's covenant family.