January 3
Reading: Psalm 62
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse.
Selah
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah
9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man according to his work.
Psalm 62 is David’s testimony to the faithfulness, love, and power of the Lord. In the first four verses we discover that this psalm (like the psalms before it) is written amid threat from enemies. David’s attackers are opportunists, jealous, liars, and fake.
Twice in this psalm we read the refrain (vss. 1-2 and 5-6). It captures the central message of the psalm, which has a distinct pattern.
vss. 1-2 Refrain
vss. 3-4 Description of those who attack
vss. 5-6 Refrain
vss. 7-8 Invitation to trust in God, my rock, my refuge
vss. 9-10 Warning to not trust in vanity
vss. 11-12 Declaration of the trustworthiness of God.
Reflect upon how this psalm begins, in light of where it is going, “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” David is not saying that He waits for God as he complains and argues. He is not waiting and whining. He is not throwing a fit. The picture of faith here is patient, confident, silent waiting. David knows that God will show up. It is only a matter of time.
Because of this he says at the end of verse 2, “I shall not be greatly shaken.” I think of the words of Philippians 4:5-7.
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
No shaking here. God is at work.