Psalm 62 is great counsel for all times, but particularly so in difficult situations, when our faith is shaken, when our hearts are broken, when we long for comfort and answers. The psalm begins with a declaration that is actually instruction: My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation.
When we are afraid or hurting, being silent is not usually our first response. We want to cry and clamor and complain; yet this passage urges us to first be silent. To direct our focus to God alone…because He is the only one who can save.
The next few verses proclaim God as our rock, our salvation, our stronghold and the result of such focus is to declare I shall not be greatly shaken. Truly great counsel but I especially love the unpacking of faith that takes place in verses 5-12. 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. Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; in the balances they go up. They are together lighter than breath. Do not trust in oppression and do not vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God; and lovingkindness is Thine, O Lord, for You do recompense a man according to his work.
Note the transparency here – the psalm begins with declaring that his soul waits in silence for God and that he will not be greatly shaken and then shifts to exhorting himself to indeed wait in silence and look only to the Rock. It’s as though he realizes he does not quite live up to his bold declaration and he needs to preach the truth to himself! How glad I am for this humble acknowledgement because through it, we are instructed how to lean on the Rock! First and foremost, there is a confession that God is his all in all – in Him alone does the psalmist find salvation and significance and strength. He then urges us readers, while keeping silence to the world, to pour out our hurts and hopes to God. Because He alone is trustworthy and able to protect. Finally, there is recognition that the other sources we are tempted to rely on are not dependable. Other people, our own attempts to gain security or significance are all in vain. Only God is powerful and loving and just. He alone is trustworthy.
If you find yourself in a place of pain or difficulty, if life’s circumstances have shaken your faith, I pray that you will take some time to practice this psalm. To be quiet before Him and subsequently pour your heart out honestly to Him. To turn from anything else that (falsely) promises to give you security or value and focus on the infinite worth of our Heavenly Father. Truly, He alone is worthy of our trust.