Psalms 61:1 «To the chief Musician upon Neginah, [A Psalm] of David. » Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
To the chief Musician upon Neginah, &c.] Vincenti in melodiis Davidis (Vatab.). It is probable that he made this psalm when, driven out of his kingdom by his son Absalom, he took up at Mahanaim beyond Jordan, 2 Samuel 17:24, and therehence prayed from the ends of the earth, or rather of the land, Psalms 61:2. Howbeit R. Obadiah saith, that this psalm is De pugna cum Aram in confinibus Israel, concerning the battle with the Syrians in the borders of the land. See 2 Samuel 10:14, &c., and 1 Chronicles 19:16, &c.
Ver. 1. Hear my cry, O God] Heb. my shouting, my sad outcry; for he was in great extremity, Psalms 61:2, and seeks ease by prayer. This is the way, Job 22:21 Philippians 4:6,7, walk in it. Prayer hath virtutem pacativam; it doth sweetly settle the soul, and lodge a blessed security in it.