Hope in God will always be an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast.
Though enemies be mighty and malicious, if God is for us and we are for God,
we need not fear what man can do.
Psalm 1
1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
3 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.
4 They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9 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.
10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Psalm 1 – J. Vernon McGee
Psalm 62 – Our only Rock and Refuge
This is the “Only” Psalm. It consists of three stanzas, each of which begins with that word (Hebrew “ak” translated “only” in Psalm 62:2, 5 and “surely” in Psalm 62:9) and ends with Selah in the first two stanzas. It was probably composed during Absalom’s rebellion.
Waiting, Psalm 62:1-4
They who wait for God, and God alone, cannot wait in vain. Though ringed around by men who hide their malice under specious words, the soul is not greatly moved. Their ring-fence of hate totters to its fall, but the inner wall of God’s care is steadfast.
Silence, Psalm 62:5-8
Wait here, and in Psalm 62:1. There are times when God seems so near that we cannot speak aloud, but are just silent before Him and breathe out our thoughts and desires.
Not disappointed, Psalm 62:9-12
Men and money are lighter than air, but God endures. His performances, unlike man’s, weigh heavier than His promises. They who trust Him will be satisfied with an abundance of power and mercy, which are open to the poorest, but which gold can never buy. —Through the Bible Day by Day
Psalm 62:1—Truly my soul waiteth upon God.
The noises of contending desires, the whispers of earthly hopes, are hushed: and the soul listens.
This is the test of true waiting. Wait before God till the voices, suggestions, and energies of nature become silent. Then only can God realize his uttermost of salvation. This was the secret of Abraham’s long trial. He was left waiting till nature was spent, till all expedients proving abortive were surrendered; till all that knew him pitied him for clinging to an impossible dream. But as this great silence fell on him, the evidence of utter helplessness and despair, there arose within his soul an ever-accumulating faith in the power of God; and there was no obstacle to prevent God realizing all, and beyond all, because all the glory accrued to Himself.
This is why God keeps you waiting. All that is of self and nature must be silenced; one voice after another cease to boast; one light after another be put out; until the soul is shut up to God alone. This process prevails equally in respect to salvation from penalty, deliverance from the power of sin, and our efforts to win souls. O my soul, be silent! Hush thee! Wait thou only upon God! Surrender thy cherished plans and reliances. Only when death has done its perfect work, will He bestow the power of an endless (an indissoluble) life.
“O Lord, my God, do Thou thy holy will!
I will lie still!
I will not stir, lest I forsake thine arm,
And break the charm,
Which lulls me, clinging to my Father’s breast
In perfect rest.” —Our Daily Homily
