Episode Transcript
Psalm 62 (ESV)
1For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.
CONSIDER
Today’s post is from A Meditative Journey Through the Psalms by Timothy and Julie Tennent. He holds the Methodist Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School and served as president of Asbury Theological Seminary for fifteen years. She is a gifted musician and was one of the driving forces that helped bring to fruition the Seedbed hymnal, Our Great Redeemer’s Praise. We will share some of their writing on the Psalms on Sundays.
One of the abiding qualities of the people of God is that we are called to wait. There is so much that we believe in and anticipate that is not yet fully present, but which we eagerly await. Every year, during four Sundays before Christmas, Christians all over the world remember what it was like to await the coming of God’s Messiah. We remember the long wait of the prophets who prepared us for that long-expected Jesus. The incarnation was the first advent (or coming) of God into the world. Yet, even today, all Christians must live in the constant expectation and longing for the return of Christ, when he will bodily and visibly return to vindicate his people and judge the world. This is known as the second advent.
This psalm is a psalm about waiting. David waits upon the Lord to bring salvation. At the time this psalm was written, the Jewish people had different expectations as to what the Messiah would be like. Even today many people wonder what God is like. Some emphasize his power and might. Others emphasize his love and grace. Still others argue that, given the pain and suffering in the world, God must be either all-powerful or all-loving, but he surely cannot be both. This is sometimes known as the “problem of evil.” However, this psalm declares, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving” (vv. 11–12). God is perfect in both his power and his love. Only eternity will reveal the way these great truths fully meet in the character and nature of God. However, we captured our first clear glimpse of this at the first advent, known as Christmas. God sent his Son to a stable in Bethlehem. It is an early sign that God shows his greatest strength through weakness and vulnerability. Jesus Christ came as God’s mighty warrior to defeat the powers of sin, death, and pain of this world. Yet, that victory came through the weakness and love of Jesus Christ as he, in meekness, was born in a stable, served in this world, and suffered on the cross. At his second advent, he will return in the full manifestation of his power and majesty. The psalm ends by declaring that he will “reward each person according to what he has done” (v. 12). This is precisely what Jesus declares will be fulfilled at his second coming: “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matt. 16:27). At that time the whole world will see him as he is, and “they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done” (Ps. 64:9).
For the Awakening,
Timothy and Julie Tennent
HYMN
Sing Psalm 62 with the Seedbed Psalter today. We suggest the tune ST. COLUMBA ("The King of Love My Shepherd Is"). You can hear the tune played online by Julie here. If you listen to the podcast audio version, we will sing the psalm using this tune. For your convenience, the words from the Psalter are printed below.
1 My soul finds rest in God alone; salvation comes from Him.
My soul in silence waits for God; I only look to Him.
2 He only is my fortress, rock, and my salvation sure;
I’ll not be shaken, for He is my stronghold evermore.
3 How long will you assail a man? Would all you throw him down—
And treat him like a leaning wall, or fence that’s tottering ’round?
4 They plot for ill to thrust him down from his high place or worse;
They joy in lies—with their mouths bless, but in their hearts they curse.Selah
5 Find rest, my soul, in God alone, for my hope comes from Him.
In silence wait for God, my soul; and only look to Him.
6 He only is my fortress, rock, and my salvation sure;
I’ll not be shaken, for He is my stronghold evermore.
7 For my salvation, honor too, depend on God alone.
He is my mighty rock of strength, my refuge—He alone.
8 O people, trust in Him always; at all times, all day long;
Pour out your hearts before Him for God is our refuge strong.Selah
9 For lowborn men are but a breath, and highborn men a lie;
When on the balance they are weighed, they’re only a breath’s sigh.
10 Trust not in greed, oppression, nor put hope in robbery;
If wealth increase, don’t set your heart upon its vanity.
11 One thing God spoke, two things I’ve heard: that You, O God, are strong,
12 And loving, too, Lord—You reward each one as they have done.
