Psalms 61:4

Let me sojourn in thy tent for ever:

Let me take refuge in the hidingplace of thy wings.

The words are a prayer. In his banishment he prays that he may once more be received as Jehovah's guest, to enjoy His protection and hospitality, to dwell in the place which He has consecrated by His Presence (Psalms 15:1). In thy tentmay mean no more than -in thy abode": but it is natural to connect the metaphor with the -tent" which David pitched for the Ark on Mount Zion (2 Samuel 6:17). Cp. Psalms 27:5-6. -Sojourn" implies the relation of guest to host, and the protection which the guest in Oriental countries claims from his host. "The Arabs give the title of jâr allâhto one who resides in Mecca beside the Caaba." Robertson Smith, Religion of the Semites, p. 77.

for ever All my life. Cp. 1 Samuel 1:22; Psalms 23:6. And the revelation of the Gospel has made it plain that life does not end with death.

For the hidingplace(R.V. covert) of thy wingscp. Psalms 57:1, note; Psalms 27:5, "in the hidingplace of his tent shall he hide me"; Psalms 31:20, "Thou shalt hide them in the hidingplace of thy presence." So the Targ. here in the shadow of Thy Presence(lit. Shechinah).