THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION

Psalms: God's Nurture Of The Inner Man In The Life Of Faith

LXII: A Lesson In Relying ONLY Ultimately On God For Security

(Psalm 62:1-12)

I. Introduction

A. Insecurity afflicts many people in many ways, and if it goes unchecked, it can unsettle one's whole way of life.

B. Psalm 62:1-12 offers the ultimate solution to this need, so we study it for our insight and edification:

II. A Lesson In Relying ONLY Ultimately On God For Security, Psalm 62:1-12.

A. The introductory remarks in the English Bible comprise the first verse in the Hebrew text (Kittel, Bib. Heb., p. 1027), so we stay with the verse numbering system of the English Bible for clarity with this lesson.

B. We thus translate Psalm 62:1-12 as follows:

1. "Only ('ak, Ibid.; H. A. W., Theol. Wrdbk. of the O. T., 1980, v. I, p. 39; emphatic restrictive sense) in Elohim is my life principle in silent repose (dumiyah, B. D. B., A Heb.-Eng. Lex. of the O. T., p. 189); from Him is my salvation," Psalm 62:1.

2. "Only ('ak, Ibid., Kittel; emphatic restrictive) He (emph. pron.) is my Rock Cliff (sur, Ibid., p. 849) and my Salvation; He is my Fortress -- I will not be shaken (mot, Ibid., p. 556-557)," Psalm 62:2.

3. "How long will you [enemies] assault a nobleman? Would all of you throw him down -- this leaning wall, this tottering fence?" (Psalm 62:3)

4. "They intend only ('ak, Ibid., Kittel; emphatic restrictive) to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah," Psalm 62:4.

5. "Only ('ak, Ibid.; emphatic restrictive) in Elohim is my silent repose (dumiyah again, cf. v. 1), O my life principle; because from Him is my ground, basis of hope (tiqvah, Ibid., B. D. B., p. 876)," Psalm 62:5.

6. "Only ('ak, Ibid., Kittel; emphatic restrictive) He (emph. pron.) is my Rock Cliff (sur again, cf. v. 2) and my Salvation; He is my Fortress -- I will not be shaken (mot again, cf. v. 2)," Psalm 62:6.

7. "Upon Elohim is my salvation and my honor dependent; He is the Rock Cliff (sur again, cf. v. 2, 6) of my strength; my Shelter from danger (mahseh, Ibid., B. D. B., p. 340) is in Elohim," Psalm 62:7.

8. "Fully rely (batah, Ibid., p. 105) in Him in all times, O people; pour out your hearts before His face, for Elohim is a Shelter from danger (mahseh again, cf. v. 7) for us. Selah," Psalm 62:8.

9. "Surely ('ak, Ibid., Kittel; in the emphatic affirmative sense, Ibid., H. A. W.) men of low degree ('adam, Ibid., Kittel, p. 1028; R. B. Girdlestone, Syns. of the O. T., 1973, p. 45-48) are but a vapor, men of high degree ('ish, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., Girdlestone, p. 48-50) but a lie (kazab, Ibid., B. D. B., p. 469); if weighed in a balance, they are nothing; altogether (yahad, Ibid., p. 403) they are but a vapor," Psalm 62:9.

10. "Do not fully rely (batah again, cf. v. 8) on extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them," Psalm 62:10.

11. "One thing Elohim has spoken, two things have I heard: that (1) strength belongs to Elohim," Psalm 62:11.

12. "And (2) to You (emph. pron.), O Adonai, is loyal love; for You (emph. pron.) recompense (shalem, Ibid., p. 1022) a nobleman ('ish again, Ibid., Kittel; cf. v. 9) according to his deeds, work (ma'aseh, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 795-796)," Psalm 62:12.

C. We note significant observations and applications of this psalm (as follows):

1. David uses the emphatic adverb, 'ak repeatedly to emphasize that God alone is his Ultimate Security Source for comprehensive blessing and livelihood provision. Thus, one must not fear nor join wicked men in their efforts for self advancement, for God alone rewards a believer for his workmanship, Psa. 62:11-12.

2. This psalm is most applicable for heads of households who are responsible for protecting and providing a livelihood for their families. Thus, heads of households must handle their temptations to feel insecure relative to family protection and livelihood provision issues by focusing on how well they please God, for He alone is their actual Security.

Lesson: David testified that the Lord ALONE was His Ultimate Security Source for protection and livelihood provision, that he need not fear harmful foes or cheat others for income, but trust the Lord for His recompense.

Application: (1) May we rely on the Lord ALONE as our Ultimate Security Source for protection and livelihood issues, especially as heads of households, turning from the temptation to cheat others for such security, for God will recompense us in proportion to our workmanship. (2) May we especially rely on God for our livelihood needs!