61:3 Indeed, 1 you are 2 my shelter,
a strong tower that protects me from the enemy. 3
61:4 I will be a permanent guest in your home; 4
I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. 5 (Selah)
61:5 For you, O God, hear my vows;
you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers. 6
1 tn Or “for.”
2 tn Or “have been.”
3 tn Heb “a strong tower from the face of an enemy.”
4 tn Heb “I will live as a resident alien in your tent permanently.” The cohortative is understood here as indicating resolve. Another option is to take it as expressing a request, “please let me live” (cf. NASB, NRSV).
5 sn I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. The metaphor compares God to a protective mother bird.
6 tn Heb “you grant the inheritance of those who fear your name.” “Inheritance” is normally used of land which is granted as an inheritance; here it refers metaphorically to the blessings granted God’s loyal followers. To “fear” God’s name means to have a healthy respect for his revealed reputation which in turn motivates one to obey God’s commands (see Ps 86:11).