Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 62

The Only Psalm

This psalm is sometimes called the “only” psalm. Obviously not because it is the only one that exists, for there are 149 more. No, it is called the “only” psalm because of the importance of understanding that the “only’ thing we need, is God. Our faith in Him will carry us through any and all situations. David knew this truth and speaks of this in the “only” psalm.

Psalm 62:1-2

My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

There is no need to turn to anything else. But sometimes we must wait on God. Sometimes things appear out of control.

Psalm 62:3-4
How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?  They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse. Selah.

We have all been in this position. What do we do when we face the assailment of the enemy and it seems as if God isn’t acting?

Psalm 62:5-8
My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.  On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

We do as David did.  We do as Jesus instructed in Matthew 26:41, we watch and we pray. Otherwise we will fall to the temptation to be shaken in our faith. We wait on God in silence and we remember that our hope is in Him, He is our rock, He is our salvation, our stronghold, and our refuge. Jesus is the “only” thing we need.

The world has turned away from God and sought idols. It has rejected God’s Word. It turns to men to be the answer to our problems. Psychology is man’s answer to what ails us, yet addictions, violence, and crime continue to run unchecked. David knew the answer. It is “only” God we need.

Psalm 62:11-12
Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God;  And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord, For You recompense a man according to his work.

God has spoken. We have His Word. The power to change is in God’s Holy Scriptures. And David knows the ‘only” thing we need is Him. The choice is simple. Choose God and His way or choose the world. In the end, God will recompense a man for his work. Make your work, God’s work. Do it His way. Make the choice today to let God be the “only” thing you need.

Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 61

This morning’s psalm is another gem of prayer. In it, as in so many, we see Jesus. It is a beautiful cry to God for us to have His Son be the anchor that holds us still in the midst of the waves of life.

Psalm 61:1-4

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;  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,  for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.  Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

Hearing this prayer reminds me of the great hymn, Rock of Ages. It is Jesus upon whom we so desperately need. And it is through prayer by which we can minute by minute, be sheltered from the storm.

David committed himself to a life of following God. God’s promise of an everlasting kingdom to David is fulfilled in Christ.

Psalm 61:5-7
For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.  Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!  May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

We must be like David. We must pray like David. We must commit ourselves to our Lord as David did.  We must praise Him every day. We, the church, are His bride. Let us fulfill the vows we have taken.

Psalm 61:8
So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.

Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 60

What happens when you find yourself in the hands of defeat? We’ve all been there. It just seems as if God is against us. In Psalm 60, we find David right there.

Psalm 60:1-3

O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us. You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.

But take notice of where David is as he laments his struggle; He is in prayer talking to God about it. David recognizes the sovereignty of God. David knows that his enemies, though they may currently appear to be in control, are not. David knows it is God who not only can, but will deliver him out of his sorrow.

Psalm 60:4-5
You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah  That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!

As Christians, we are still prone to fall into fear, especially when surrounded by the enemy. But it is God and God alone who we should fear.

Psalm 60:6-8
God has spoken in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth.  Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter.  Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

If we want to live in victory, we must trust God to be the one who takes us there. God speaks in His holiness. Rather than drift into self-pity over our plight, we must trust God and have faith in Him. God speaks and things happen. He spoke the very creation into existence. But God speaks in holiness. That must be where we turn to.

Psalm 60:9-10
Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?  Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies.

The answer to the questions above are found within His Holy Word. If we will open our Bibles, we will find the promises we need. God has spoken to us in His holiness.

Psalm 60:11-12
Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!  With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

The answer is simple; trust in God to tread down our foes. Vain is the salvation of man.

God has spoken in His holiness. But we must learn to listen in holiness.