Psalms 61

THE ROCK OF AGES

‘Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.’

Psalms 61:2

How many confessions underlie these words! Blindness, else David would not have said, ‘Lead me.’ Weakness, otherwise he would not have thought of a rock. Littleness; therefore he says, ‘Higher than I.’ The words of the text may convey (1) the notion of safety, for the metaphor may be taken from a ship in stormy water, or from a man travelling through the desert, subject to the simooms which sweep over the sand. In either case there would be security under the lee of a ‘rock,’ and the higher the rock the more complete would be the shelter. (2) The words may carry the idea of elevation. ‘Lead me to that which I may climb,’ or rather ‘Place me at that height from which I may look down on things around me, and see them little.’

I. The first thing that we all want is the feeling of safety.—We need a calm, quiet place, where our heaving thoughts will grow still, and where no external circumstances shall be able to move us greatly. That calm and refuge is Christ, and all who come nearer to Him do at His side pass strangely into peace. His work is so strong, His faithfulness is so sure, His presence is so tranquillising, that those who are brought to Him are always at rest.

II. Look at the image of elevation.—There are few of us who, at some time or other of life, have not been occupied in going up certain heights. But outside self, and altogether apart from self, there is another object of ambition: truth. You will never have an object and an employment worthy of your being until you begin to make the ascent of truth. And what is truth? The Lord Jesus Christ. Then you will rise to the grand intention for which you were created, when you mount up higher and higher, into the mind, and the counsel, and the image, and the work, and the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. And hence the wisdom of that prayer, ‘Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.’

Rev. James Vaughan.

Illustration

‘Few of us would be doubtful of the future if we would make a right use of the past. We may be very uncertain about to-morrow, but yesterday is a great fact; it is behind us, a monument of mercy, a witness of God’s integrity, the last page of God’s continual revelation; and if we read carefully what is written upon it, our spirits will rise with a great hope,—we shall say each to his own soul: “Wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be moved.” ’