Introduction
?My friends, we live in a world that is loud, demanding, and often overwhelming. It feels like we are constantly being pulled in a dozen different directions, told to find our value in what we achieve, our security in what we own, and our peace in what others think of us. But how often do these things leave us feeling empty and tired? Today, we turn to the ancient words of King David in Psalm 62, a man who faced betrayal and constant threats. In the midst of that chaos, he discovered a profound and timeless truth: that true rest, true security, and true salvation can be found in God and in God alone.
?I. The Unshakable Declaration: "My Soul Waiteth Upon God" (vv. 1-2)
?David begins not with a question or a plea, but with a firm declaration: “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.”
?1. This is not a passive wait, as if he is simply resigned to his fate.
The word "waiteth" here comes from a Hebrew root that means to be quiet, to be silent, to rest in confident expectation. It is the posture of a servant waiting on their master, ready to obey. It is the stillness of a sailor waiting for the tide to turn, knowing it will come. It is an active choice to be silent before God, to quiet all the other voices and demands, and to focus on Him alone.
?2. David then uses three powerful images to describe God
?1. My Rock: This isn't just a stone; it's a massive, immovable fortress. In a world of shifting sands, God is the unshakeable foundation for our lives.
?2. My Salvation: God is not just the source of salvation, but He is salvation itself. This refers to a complete and total rescue, from our enemies, from our fears, and ultimately, from sin.
?3. My Defence: This is a strong, high tower—a place of safety where our enemies cannot reach us.
?When we truly understand and believe this, David says, "I shall not be greatly moved." The trials may come, the winds may blow, but our core, our spiritual being, is anchored in a foundation that cannot be shaken.
?II. The Frailty of Human Schemes: "As a Bowing Wall" (vv. 3-4)
?The reason David's hope is in God alone is because he has seen the futility of trusting in anything else. He asks, “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.”
?1.This is a vivid, relatable image.
A bowing wall is a wall that is leaning, its foundation giving way. A tottering fence is one that is unstable and ready to fall. From a distance, they might look like they are standing, but they offer no real protection. This is a perfect metaphor for the false sense of security that the world offers. The applause of the crowd, the size of our bank account, the fleeting praise of our colleagues—they all appear strong, but they are leaning and ready to collapse.
?2. Worse, David sees the deception.
"They delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly." This is hypocrisy in its purest form. People will offer empty words of encouragement while their hearts are filled with deceit and a desire to see you fall. David learned the hard way that you cannot place your trust in human praise or human promises. They are hollow and will fail you when you need them most.
?III. The Command to Your Own Soul (vv. 5-8)
?After reflecting on the instability of the world, David turns inward and gives a command to his own soul. He says, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”
?1. This is a critical turning point in the psalm.
It is not enough to simply declare our faith to others; we must preach it to our own hearts. Our emotions, our fears, and our anxieties will often try to convince us otherwise. David is reminding his own heart of the central truth: "My expectation is from Him." He is declaring that his hope for the future, his confident anticipation of what is to come, does not rest on what he can accomplish or what others might do for him, but on God's character and God's promises.
?2. This confident waiting then leads to an invitation to intimacy.
"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." This is the purpose of the psalm's journey. It moves from a general declaration to a personal, intimate act. God is not a distant ruler; He is a personal refuge. We are invited to be completely vulnerable with Him. Bring your mess, your anger, your sorrow—pour it all out. He is the only One who can truly handle it and give you rest.
?Conclusion
The Final Truths: Power and Mercy (vv. 9-12)
?The psalm culminates with two profound theological truths that explain why our trust in God is so wise and so necessary.
?"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."
?This is David's great conclusion. He has heard and understood that all of God's revelation, all of His character, can be summed up in these two qualities: power and mercy.
?Power: All authority, all strength, and all might in the universe belong to God. We do not need to muster our own strength or rely on the fragile strength of others. Our God is all-powerful.
?Mercy: He is not a tyrant who wields this power indiscriminately. Mercy, kindness, and forgiveness are part of His very nature.
?This combination is why we can trust Him completely. A powerful God without mercy is terrifying. A merciful God without power is helpless. But our God is both perfectly powerful and perfectly merciful. He is able to save us and He desires to do so. In these two great truths, our hearts can finally find rest.
?So let us stand on the unshakeable rock of our salvation. Let us turn from the bowing walls of this world and place our expectation fully on God. Let us pour out our hearts to Him, knowing that He is a refuge. For truly, power belongs to God, and mercy belongs to Him, and in this, we find everything we need. Amen.
