The Meaning of Psalms 61:4 Explained

Psalms 61:4

KJV: I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

YLT: I sojourn in Thy tent to the ages, I trust in the secret place of Thy wings. Selah.

Darby: I will sojourn in thy tent for ever; I will take refuge in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

ASV: I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever: I will take refuge in the covert of thy wings. Selah

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I will abide  in thy tabernacle  for ever:  I will trust  in the covert  of thy wings.  Selah. 

What does Psalms 61:4 Mean?

Study Notes

trust
.
Trust is the characteristic O.T. word for the N.T. "faith," "believe." It occurs 152 times in the O.T., and is the rendering of Heb. words signifying to take refuge (e.g. Ruth 2:12 "to lean on" (e.g.) Psalms 56:3 "to roll on" (e.g.) Psalms 22:8 "to stay upon" (e.g.) Job 35:14 .

Context Summary

Psalm 61:1-8 - Safe Under God's Protection
This psalm was probably composed at the time of Absalom's rebellion, when David was a fugitive from the Tabernacle that he loved. There are two stanzas.
Prayer, Psalms 61:1-4
The king was only across the Jordan, yet it seemed the end of the earth. He was at the end of human help. In overwhelming floods trouble poured all around, but in the distance he perceived the rock that towered above the waters. If he could but reach it, he would be safe. What rock is this save the Rock of Ages, that was cleft for us! We cannot reach or climb it by ourselves, but need to be led and lifted thither. And God answers, "I will put thee." See Exodus 33:22.
Confidence, Psalms 61:5-8
The psalmist quotes the great assurance of 2 Samuel 7:12-16, and turns it into prayer. Faith presents God's pledges to Himself, and affirms her confidence in their fulfillment. Thus we advance from step to step on the predestined road, knowing that Loving-Kindness and Truth have gone before us, to prepare the way of our steps and to discover themes for endless praise. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 61

1  David flees to God upon his former experience
4  He vows perpetual service unto him, because of his promises

What do the individual words in Psalms 61:4 mean?

I will abide in Your tabernacle forever I will trust in the shelter of Your wings Selah
אָג֣וּרָה בְ֭אָהָלְךָ עוֹלָמִ֑ים אֶֽחֱסֶ֨ה בְסֵ֖תֶר כְּנָפֶ֣יךָ סֶּֽלָה

אָג֣וּרָה  I  will  abide 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: גּוּר 
Sense: to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely.
בְ֭אָהָלְךָ  in  Your  tabernacle 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
עוֹלָמִ֑ים  forever 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
אֶֽחֱסֶ֨ה  I  will  trust 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular
Root: חָסָה  
Sense: (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection.
בְסֵ֖תֶר  in  the  shelter 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: סֵתֶר 
Sense: covering, shelter, hiding place, secrecy.
כְּנָפֶ֣יךָ  of  Your  wings 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: כָּנָף  
Sense: wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt.
סֶּֽלָה  Selah 
Parse: Interjection
Root: סֶלָה  
Sense: to lift up, exalt.