Psalm 62
The Soul Resting Peacefully On God
The Soul Resting Peacefully On God
Psalm 62. This is a Psalm of David, and it written for Jeduthun, who was leader of praise in David’s time, and who directed his six sons, “who prophesied with the harp, to give thanks and to praise Jehovah” (1 Chron. 25:3). His name means “Praise Giver” or “Let Them Give Praise”. Psalms addressed to Jeduthun are Psalms 39, 62, and 77. Psalm 62 was probably written in the context of the rebellion of of Absalom. Prophetically, it describes the expressions of the faithful Jewish remnant passing through the Great Tribulation, as they experience strong persecution from their brethren, the apostate Jews under the direction of Antichrist.
PSALM 62
To the chief Musician. On Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 Upon God alone doth my soul rest peacefully; from him is my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation; my high fortress: I shall not be greatly moved.
3 How long will ye assail a man; will ye seek, all of you, to break him down as a bowing wall or a tottering fence?
4 They only consult to thrust him down from his excellency; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but in their inward part they curse. Selah.
vv.1-4 God as the Rock and Fortress Against the Attacks of the Enemy. In spite of all that is going on around the remnant, their soul can “rest peacefully” upon God. God personally is their salvation. This is one of the great lessons of the trials they are passing through; to look to God as their salvation rather than Judaism. In v.2 God is pictured as a “rock”, “salvation”, and “high fortress” to the faithful remnant. With Him as their God they shall “not be greatly moved”. In vv.3-4 the faithful consider the character of man. The enemies assail them because they think the remnant is weak. The symbols used are symbols of weakness; “a bowing wall or a tottering fence”. Such things are easy to break down. The enemies’ single goal is to attack the faithful, and cast them down. To accomplish this, they use lies and deception.
5 Upon God alone, O my soul, rest peacefully; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation; my high fortress: I shall not be moved.
7 With God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8 Confide in him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before him: God is our refuge. Selah.
vv.5-8 The Character of God that the Faithful Trust in. But in spite of all these attacks, the faithful turn to God alone. Their soul can still rest peacefully in spite of all of the attacks that are coming against them. They can speak of their expectations; i.e. their hope of deliverance is in God. We see that v.6 is a repetition of v.2, except it is after the character of man is considered. The result of knowing the character of God is that they can confide in God at all times, and encourage the rest of the people to likewise confide in God. They can pour out their hearts before Him as they do in this Psalm and others.
9 Men of low degree are only vanity; men of high degree, a lie: laid in the balance, they go up together lighter than vanity.
10 Put not confidence in oppression, and become not vain in robbery; if wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
11 Once hath God spoken, twice have I heard this, that strength belongeth unto God.
12 And unto thee, O Lord, belongeth loving-kindness; for “thou” renderest to every man according to his work.
vv.9-12 The Vanity of Trusting in Man vs. God. The Psalm concludes with the vanity of trusting in man vs God. Whether it be men of low degree or men of high degree, neither are worthy of our trust. Nor do the faithful put confidence in the things that the wicked put confidence in; oppression, robbery, and increased wealth. These things are sure to pass away like the wicked who do them. For instance, wealth may increase in the first 3 1/2 years of the prophetic week, but it is a vain thing for Israel to trust them. The great lesson is in v.11; “Once hath God spoken, twice have I heard this, that strength belongeth unto God”. This is the only path for the remnant: the trust the Lord. Yet it is not only strength, but the loving-kindness of God (v.12) that the faithful are trusting. God will do right by His people; He will reward every man according to his work, whether the wicked according to their deeds or the righteous according to their faith.