Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. (Jeremiah 17:7).
Today’s lesson is a song written by King David. Known as the sweet psalmist of Israel, David paints a word picture of trust. Notice in this psalm there is repetition for emphasis and the contrast of good and evil for comparison. Written to his chief musician Jeduthun, this song is for singing publicly in the congregation of the righteous. Like many songs today, it reminds us who God is, what God is like, and the importance and reality of our relationship to Him. Let’s dig in!
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
Commentators say that the word “waiteth” in this verse actually means to be silent. My soul is silent unto God- possibly indicating that there has been trouble that David is using as the reason for writing. Instead of revealing the issue, David begins by sharing his process of putting things in the right priority. As David writes that he is quiet before God, he confesses that his salvation and his deliverance comes from God. He says God is like a rock- solid, dependable, safe, and trustworthy. God is his safety, his high place, and his defender. Though the world may shake around us in times of trouble, David reminds us that we should not move away from this foundation. We are safe, protected, and delivered by God, who deserves our confidence. Our relationship with God should always be sincere. We also are called upon at times to quiet ourselves and our souls.
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
The question here is whether David is talking about himself (his soul) or if he is speaking in general about those who do not trust in God. The saying “all of you” implies that he is not talking about himself. He appears to be describing a part of the problem that has caused him to realign his thinking. Perhaps he is answering those who have slandered him. They are like an unstable wall bulging before it splits into pieces, or a fence that is not steady and of no value. Both will eventually fall and be useless at best and injurious at worst. So, it is with those who seek to tear down others. David reminds himself and us that God is able to judge righteously those that seek our hurt and harm. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19).
They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
David reminds us that whether it is against us as one of God’s children or even against God Himself, these mischievous imaginings are the delights of the wicked. Paul wrote about the same things to the young minister Timothy. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (ITimothy 6: 3-5).
We see hypocrisy and untrustworthiness frequently in the church. The purpose of many is to discredit others or raise their own value in the eyes of others. The only one we can trust fully to work “all things for our good,” is God. And here David asks us to stop and dwell on these thoughts for a bit. Selah- consider, evaluate, pause.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
And then pause again (Selah) to reaffirm and think on the Rock, the Salvation, the defense that comes from God. He alone is our refuge and strength. We cannot trust too much in anything or anyone else. God has proven himself faithful and true too many times to count. Trust God alone and at all times. David repeats this for emphasis. Think of it as the chorus to this song. It is a good chorus to remember!
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
David compares the faithfulness of God to those that are of low standards and those that think very highly of themselves. Vanity and lies. They are not worth much at all when comparing them to the strength and authority of God. The works of those that are self important, tear down and should not make us cower. Keep your heart set on God and you won’t be deceived by empty things.
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
How many times has God proven to you that He is God? His words are true. His promises are kept. He is longsuffering and filled with a loyal love for his children. His son Jesus, our salvation, our rock, our refuge is in fact, our strength and hope and safety. Power belongs to God. What a song Psalm 62 is!
The writer of Hebrews says, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13: 5-6).
Thank you for studying with us! God bless!