Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the God who is more than we can imagine. Thank God that He allows us to continue to learn of him.
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:5-7).
Verses 5-6 are almost identical to verses 1-2. It seems the value lies in thinking about why they are repeated and also in noticing how they are different. I believe the repetition is more deliberate and meaningful than simply being an echoed refrain. There is a reason why these words are stated again, and there is a reason for the slight variations.
I think the primary reason for the repetition has to do with where David’s thoughts have just been. He just spent two verses describing the fierce attack by the enemy. After thinking about the threat, he needs to return to stabilizing truth. When problems arise in life, whether they be the one big thing that is the current monster, or whether they be the combination of smaller, yet troubling, things, it is natural and inevitable that we will think about them. We can’t ignore them, since we are constantly dealing with the ramifications. We are continually needing to make decisions about them. They are a very real part of life. On the other hand, constantly dwelling on the problems will wear down our spirit and deplete our strength. We can’t stay too long in the realm of the problem without remembering the Deliverer. Our thoughts have to turn back to God. That is what David does. After reviewing the very real and dangerous threat, he turns his mind back to God, back to the same truths and reassurances with which he started. This truth had not changed.
One difference in the wording is that in v. 1, he opened with a declaration: “My soul waiteth upon God.” In v. 5, it is a self-admonition: “My soul, wait thou only upon God.” The verb “wait” is a different word but sharing the same root and meaning – to rest in silence. The word “only” is added, although apparently some manuscripts also include it in v. 1, and it is certainly implied in both places and prominent throughout the psalm. In essence then, the difference is that the second time, David gives an instruction to himself, rather than merely making a statement. As previously stated, this is a necessary adjustment after thinking about the problem. The battle in his soul is not completely settled, especially after he considers the problem, so he has to tell himself once again to rest in God for his salvation.
I believe vs. 5-6, while they are an admonition and a reminder, go even deeper than that. At the beginning David asserted his trust in God. Not to minimize that declaration, but in the beginning of a trial, it is relatively easy to glibly, although sincerely, state, “I will trust God in this.” It’s different when the trial persists. It’s one thing to say we will trust when we don’t yet know what that will mean, when the trial looms in front of us, threatening, yet somewhat anemic, because its ferocity is unknown. When we have persisted in the trial, we realize how sharp the teeth are, how hot the flames are, how harsh the blows are. This is no longer an unknown or an idea; it is reality and a punishing onslaught.
When we reach this stage of the trial, we need to come back to a renewed resolution that we will continue to wait on God, even now that we realize more what that means. With a fuller understanding of what the situation really is, we resolve that we will still trust. We weren’t just saying that when it was easy; we really determine to do it, and we really mean it. Such a declaration at this stage of the game reveals a depth and profundity to our resolve. Our trust in God is more meaningful. It is experiential; we have been doing it, and we have found Him to be sufficient.
The biggest change is in the second clause. Instead of “From him cometh my salvation,” David says, “My expectation is from him.” A different word is used. Previously, God was his source of salvation, or deliverance. The new word is really more of an emotion-based word than a fact-based one. It has to do with expecting, hoping, or longing. The word actually refers to a cord that would attach two things. David has tied himself to God. In one sense, this reveals David’s lack of strength. He cannot stand or move on his own. His hope lies in being tied to God, which allows him to be suspended when he cannot stand, lifted up when he cannot rise, and carried along when he cannot walk. David may not be capable of much, but as long as he is tethered to God, he has hope that he will continue to be held above and to move through his trial.
Verse 6 is identical to verse 2, with only one word omitted. Saying the same words means more now than it did before. The reiteration is important, in case he has slipped along the way. The words are now a sense of resolve rather than just a statement. The one change is the omission of the word “greatly.” I think it reveals David’s growth in the trial. At the beginning he said he would not be moved or shaken much; now he won’t be moved at all. I think this has to do with having lived through the trial for a time with God’s help. He has seen what God has done for him. His faith and relationship with God have deepened. He has realized that God can keep him better than he had previously realized or understood.
I believe that in vs. 5-7, David is moving more toward worship. Instead of merely foundational truths, he is building into robust and confident adoration of his great God. In v. 7, David adds new content. His experience has given him more to say. He still sees God as the source of his salvation. He also sees God as the source of his glory. I think this may refer to his position as king, that it is only God who can keep him there. David goes on to offer two more names of God that he has not given previously in the psalm. God is the rock of his strength. While he has acknowledged God as a rock, this is a recognition that God infuses that type of strength into David also. David does not have such strength on his own; it comes only from God. God is also his refuge. This particular word for “refuge” refers to a shelter. It is a place of rest and hope, away from (or at least temporarily separated from) the trial or attack. It is a place to catch his breath and recuperate.
David sees God as being all these things for him. God is his only source of salvation, the rope that holds him up, his high cliff-like rock, his deliverance, his steep unassailable rock, his stability, his splendor, his infused strength, and his place of shelter. Truly David is dependent on God. He is throwing out anchors, but not desperately. He uses these anchors confidently, trusting in the God who is worthy of every accolade that David bestows.
May this great God be especially close and meaningful to you this week. Merry Christmas!
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
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