The Meaning of Psalms 61:2 Explained

Psalms 61:2

KJV: From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

YLT: From the end of the land unto Thee I call, In the feebleness of my heart, Into a rock higher than I Thou dost lead me.

Darby: From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my eart is overwhelmed: thou wilt lead me on to a rock which is too high for me.

ASV: From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

From the end  of the earth  will I cry  unto thee, when my heart  is overwhelmed:  lead  me to the rock  [that] is higher  than I. 

What does Psalms 61:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 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: Psalms 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 61:2 mean?

From the end of the earth to You I will cry when is overwhelmed my heart to the rock that is higher than I Lead me
מִקְצֵ֤ה הָאָ֨רֶץ ׀ אֵלֶ֣יךָ אֶ֭קְרָא בַּעֲטֹ֣ף לִבִּ֑י בְּצוּר־ יָר֖וּם מִמֶּ֣נִּי תַנְחֵֽנִי

מִקְצֵ֤ה  From  the  end 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: קָצֶה 
Sense: end, extremity.
הָאָ֨רֶץ ׀  of  the  earth 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
אֵלֶ֣יךָ  to  You 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
אֶ֭קְרָא  I  will  cry 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
בַּעֲטֹ֣ף  when  is  overwhelmed 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָטוּף 
Sense: to turn aside.
לִבִּ֑י  my  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
בְּצוּר־  to  the  rock 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: צוּר 
Sense: rock, cliff.
יָר֖וּם  that  is  higher 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָרוּם 
Sense: to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted.
מִמֶּ֣נִּי  than  I 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: מִן 
Sense: from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than.
תַנְחֵֽנִי  Lead  me 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: נָחָה  
Sense: to lead, guide.