Psalm 61:2
New International Version
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

New Living Translation
From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

English Standard Version
from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

Berean Standard Bible
From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

New American Standard Bible
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

NASB 1995
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

NASB 1977
From the end of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Legacy Standard Bible
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Amplified Bible
From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help].

Christian Standard Bible
I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I call to You from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me,

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
I feel hopeless, and I cry out to you from a faraway land. Lead me to the mighty rock high above me.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
From the ends of the earth, I call to you when I begin to lose heart. Lead me to the rock that is high above me.

Good News Translation
In despair and far from home I call to you! Take me to a safe refuge,

International Standard Version
From the end of the earth I will cry to you whenever my heart is overwhelmed. Place me on the rock that's too high for me.

Majority Standard Bible
From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

NET Bible
From the most remote place on earth I call out to you in my despair. Lead me up to an inaccessible rocky summit!

New Heart English Bible
From the most remote place of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Webster's Bible Translation
From the end of the earth will I cry to thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

World English Bible
From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I call to You from the end of the land, "" In the feebleness of my heart, "" You lead me into a rock higher than I.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
From the end of the earth I will call to thee, in the fainting of my heart: thou wilt lead me into the rock it will be lifted up above me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
To thee have I cried from the ends of the earth: when my heart was in anguish, thou hast exalted me on a rock. Thou hast conducted me;

Catholic Public Domain Version
I cried out to you from the ends of the earth. When my heart was in anguish, you exalted me on a rock. You have led me,

New American Bible
From the ends of the earth I call; my heart grows faint. Raise me up, set me on a rock,

New Revised Standard Version
From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; for thou hast led me upon a rock and hast comforted me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From the ends of the Earth I call to you! In the agitation of my heart you have raised me up upon a rock and you have comforted me,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
From the end of the earth will I call unto Thee, when my heart fainteth; Lead me to a rock that is too high for me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
From the ends of the earth have I cried to thee, when my heart was in trouble: thou liftedst me up on a rock thou didst guide me:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
You Have Heard My Vows
1For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. 2From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.…

Cross References
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 62:2
He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.

Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 31:2-3
Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance. / For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.

Psalm 42:6
O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar.

Psalm 71:3
Be my rock of refuge, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 94:22
But the LORD has been my stronghold, and my God is my rock of refuge.

Psalm 142:3
Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me.

Isaiah 25:4
For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,

Isaiah 32:2
Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land.

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

2 Samuel 22:2-3
He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. / My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence.

Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.


Treasury of Scripture

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

From

Psalm 42:6
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Psalm 139:9,10
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; …

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

my heart

Psalm 43:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 55:5
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

Psalm 77:3
I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

the rock

Psalm 18:46
The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalm 27:5
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalm 40:2
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Jump to Previous
Cry Earth End Ends Faint Fainteth Grows Heart High Higher Lead Overcome Over-High Overwhelmed Rock Wilt
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Cry Earth End Ends Faint Fainteth Grows Heart High Higher Lead Overcome Over-High Overwhelmed Rock Wilt
Psalm 61
1. David flees to God upon his former experience
4. He vows perpetual service unto him, because of his promises














From the ends of the earth
This phrase evokes a sense of distance and separation, both physically and spiritually. In the Hebrew context, "ends of the earth" (Hebrew: קְצֵ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ, qetse ha'aretz) signifies the farthest reaches of the known world, suggesting that the psalmist feels far removed from God's presence. Historically, this could reflect the experience of Israelites in exile or during times of personal distress. Spiritually, it underscores the universality of God's reach and the idea that no matter how distant one feels, God is accessible. This phrase reassures believers that God's presence is not confined to a specific location but is available to all, regardless of their circumstances.

I call to You
The act of calling upon God is a central theme in the Psalms, reflecting a deep, personal relationship with the Divine. The Hebrew verb קָרָא (qara) implies a cry for help, a plea that is both urgent and intimate. This calling is not just a ritualistic prayer but a heartfelt communication with God. It demonstrates the psalmist's faith and trust in God's ability to hear and respond. For believers, this phrase encourages a proactive approach to seeking God, emphasizing that He is a personal God who listens to the cries of His people.

as my heart grows faint
This expression captures the psalmist's vulnerability and desperation. The Hebrew word for "faint" (עָטַף, ataph) conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or enshrouded, often used to describe physical or emotional exhaustion. In the biblical context, the heart is the seat of emotions and will, so a faint heart indicates a deep sense of weariness or despair. This phrase resonates with anyone who has experienced moments of weakness, reminding believers that it is in these times of frailty that God's strength is most evident. It encourages Christians to bring their burdens to God, trusting in His sustaining power.

Lead me to the rock
The imagery of a rock in biblical literature often symbolizes strength, stability, and refuge. The Hebrew word צוּר (tsur) is frequently used to describe God Himself as a fortress or a place of safety. In this context, the psalmist seeks guidance to a place of security and protection, away from the chaos and instability of life. For believers, this phrase is a powerful reminder of God's unchanging nature and His role as a protector. It inspires confidence in God's ability to provide a firm foundation amidst life's uncertainties.

that is higher than I
This concluding phrase acknowledges human limitations and the need for divine intervention. The concept of something "higher" (Hebrew: רָ֝֗ם, ram) suggests elevation, both physically and spiritually. It implies a place of safety that is beyond human reach, accessible only through God's guidance. This recognition of God's superiority and the psalmist's humility is a central tenet of Christian faith. It encourages believers to rely not on their own understanding or strength but to seek God's wisdom and protection, trusting that His ways are higher and His plans are perfect.

(2) From the end. of the earth . . .--A hyperbolic expression for a great distance. Isaiah (Isaiah 5:26) uses the expression of Assyria, and it would be natural in an exile's mouth, but must not be pressed to maintain any theory of the psalm's date.

When my heart is overwhelmed.--Literally, in the covering of my heart, the verb being used (Psalm 65:13) of the valleys covered with corn, and metaphorically, as here, of "the garment of heaviness," which wraps a sad heart (Psalms 102 title; Isaiah 57:16). (Comp. Tennyson's "muffled round with woe.")

Lead me to the rock . . .--Literally, upon the rock lead me, which is probably a constructio praegnans for lead me to the rock too high for me to climb by myself, and place me there. The elevated rock is a symbol of security, which cannot be obtained without the Divine help. Others take the expression as figurative for a difficulty which it needs God's help to surmount.

Verse 2. - From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee. Eastern hyperbole may call the Trans-Jordanic territory "the end of the earth," but certainly the expression would be more natural in the mouth of an exile in Assyria, Media, or Babylon. When my heart is overwhelmed; or, "when my heart fainteth" (comp. Psalm 107:5). Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; rather, that is too high for me - that I cannot reach unaided. Some regard the "rock" as Mount Zion; but others, more reasonably, explain it as "God himself" (see Psalm 62:2, 6, 7). "Let thy grace lead me to thee" (Kay).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
From the ends
מִקְצֵ֤ה (miq·ṣêh)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

of the earth
הָאָ֨רֶץ ׀ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

I call out
אֶ֭קְרָא (’eq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

to
אֵלֶ֣יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

You
מִמֶּ֣נִּי (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

whenever my heart
לִבִּ֑י (lib·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

is faint.
בַּעֲטֹ֣ף (ba·‘ă·ṭōp̄)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5848: To shroud, clothe, to languish

Lead me
תַנְחֵֽנִי׃ (ṯan·ḥê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5148: To guide, to transport

to the rock
בְּצוּר־ (bə·ṣūr-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6697: A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge

[that] is higher than I.
יָר֖וּם (yā·rūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise


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OT Poetry: Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 61:1
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