The last 8 months, I have been slowly chewing through Psalms, verse by verse. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
As I read through Psalms, I'll be highlighting some chapters I've been reading and providing some commentary, along with some Matthew Henry sprinkled in for good measure.
My prayer is that you would be encouraged to sit in God's Word and take in all that God's Word has for us, verse by verse.
Psalms 62:1-7
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
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
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
(V1) "For God alone"
I used to rock this exact phrase on a t-shirt ten years past its prime... thankful for my wife's encouragement in the fashion department to tell me that it might be wise to get rid of shirts from 8th grade...
The saying was true in David's time, 15 years ago... and still true today. For God alone means there is nothing on earth that can satisfy us outside of Christ. Our aim must be like a straight arrow that points directly to him. May we run every day with a perseverance and gaze that is fixed on Jesus. (See Hebrews 12:1-2)
(V1) "My soul waits in silence"
This is a deep matter of the soul. We must pay attention to these words and not take them lightly. Our eternity rests in the balance of where we put our faith. I pray it is that of Jesus Christ.
We see David's dependence on God, and only God.
I like Matthew Henry's comment here...
"Quietly expecting what He will do... we are in the way of both duty and comfort when our souls wait upon God, when we cheerfully refer ourselves, and the disposal of all our affairs, to His will and wisdom, when we acquiesce in and accommodate ourselves to all the dispositions of His providence, and patiently expect a doubtful event with an entire satisfaction in His righteousness and goodness, however it may be"
How often do we sit in silence?
As I write late in the evening, the kids are down, my bride is asleep, and all is quiet. But how often is my heart like a raging sea, billowing up and down to the circumstances of life. When we wait in silence for the Lord, He calms the storms with a single word.
Maybe not in the exact timing we want...but we can hope in Him like David does. (ref Psalm 121)
(V1) "From Him comes my salvation"
Have we reminded ourselves of this truth today? I am so quick to run on my own power and strength, but all power, glory, honor, and salvation comes from the Lord. (see Romans 5:8-11)
(V2) "He is my rock, and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be greatly shaken"
What a great illustration of the Lord's care for us, so much so that we cannot be shaken. Satan is on the attack (1st Peter 5:7-9) but who is God? One that will fortify, strengthen, hold us, and prepare us for battle. (see Isaiah 41:10)
(V3-4) We see how David spites his enemies. Who are those that attack a man of God? Those that take pleasure in falsehood, bless with mouths, but curse inwardly.
I think about this in light of today. How many people bless God with their mouths but curse Him with their hearts and lives? Be wary of those people.
Inversely, we can celebrate that God is victor (see Psalm 76, Romans 8:1-2)
(V6-7) A emphatic reminder of verses 1-2. Continue to wait, continue to press on towards Christ.
Another Henry remark... "The more faith is acted, the more active is it" (See Isaiah 26:3-4)
Bottom line...
1) God is the source of our strength
2) Wait on God who will hold us tightly in times of trouble and times of joy.
3) Christ has overcome death and the victory has already been won!
MG
