June 20, 2023 — Psalm 62 

“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 never be shaken. How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, 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. 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. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.” Psalm 62 

In 1777, Dr. William Dodd, a London clergyman, was condemned to be hanged for forgery. He wrote his last sermon in prison, and when it was published, a friend commented to Samuel Johnson that the effort was far better than he had thought the man capable of. Dr. Johnson replied, “Depend upon it, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” The difficulty with reading and looking for some comfort in Psalm 62 perhaps is this: very few of us have ever been in the desperate straits that the Psalmist was in and so we cannot truly relate to what he says here. “How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you…” It appears many were threatening his life and scheming to kill him. 

The main theme of the psalm is the right and wrong objects of faith. If we trust in G-d, we will not allow anything to deter our hope or distract our minds. If we trust in men or in things of this earth, we’re depending on that which is just a breath. “On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.” This is a statement of faith we can all find comfort and rest. 

Prayer

Lord God, in a constantly changing world we look to you as our rock of hope. Hear us as we pour out our hearts to you, and give us your grace and secure protection; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.