1. Request for salvation 61:1-2

David began this psalm as he did many others by asking God to give attention to his prayer. He evidently felt separated from his own people and his secure surroundings on this occasion. The rock he requested may have been a literal butte on which he could take refuge such as Masada. On the other hand he may have been speaking figuratively of God (cf. Deut. 32:4, 15, 18, 30, 31, 37; 2 Sam. 22:2; Ps. 18:31, 46; 28:1; et al.).