An Exegesis On Psalm 62
By: Godwin Eyiangho
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INTRODUCTION
This is a Psalm of David which does not indicate prayer or praise nor occasion of mourning or joy rather the king used it to express his firm confidence in and dependence on God, encouraging himself to wait on Him.
He further stated his trust in God only and admonished others to do same, not putting their trust on any creature.
What Is Waiting Upon The Lord?
To wait means to stay in a place until an expected event happens, until someone arrives, until it is your turn to do something and so on (Merriam Webster Dictionary).
The Greek word ekdechomai translated wait means to expect, expect to receive or have something done (John 5:3, Hebrews 10:13, Acts 17:16).
(W.E. Vine Bible Dictionary) Therefore, waiting on the Lord denotes expecting, staying patiently, or holding our peace until God grants our expectation, heart desires or prayers according to His own good will.
We shall study this Psalm from two perspectives – Confidence In God, verse 1 – 7, and An Admonition To Trust In God verse 8 – 12.
Confidentially Waiting On The Lord [Verse 1 – 7]
Here king David showed his dependence on God only, in difficulties and dangers that may come his way, not in any other, because his salvation is from the Lord, he will not be moved Verse 1,2 (Jeremiah 3:23; Psalm 121:1).
We must compare this with our salvation which is also of the Lord (Psalm 50:23).
God prepares us for salvation and preserves us for eternal inheritance (Acts 4:12, I Peter 1:3,4).
The Psalmist said that God is his shelter (protection), salvation, strength and succour in time of trouble and will always deliver him. His enemies who plotted against him are like walls with rotten foundation that would fall because of their weight.
We too with apostle Paul must continue to depend on God’s power of deliverance – 2 Corinthians 1:10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.
Based on this, king David continue to encourage himself to wait on the Lord. It follows that any virtue we start to practice; we must continue no matter what happens for faith that is acted becomes more active.
As the king’s faith grew to unshakeable level, it grew to a holy triumph – God is my salvation and glory – verse 7.
Thus, he enjoyed perfect peace in God and could ride on the high places of the earth (Isaiah 58:14).
An Admonition To Trust In The Lord [Verse 8 – 12]
The king advised all people to trust in God for He is the confidence of the ends of the earth (Psalm 65:5).
This statement was specially to the Israelites and of course, today to the Christians who must always trust in their God (Proverbs 3:5,6).
We must trust God’s power and promises, providence and grace and rely on Him for everything (John 15:5).
We must not put this trust in ourselves, any other creature or material thing (wealth) but on God only (Matthew 6:24).
Why The Confidence In God?
The Psalmist makes it obvious that it is because God is infinite in power, nature and righteousness, God has supremacy of authority and power – God has spoken once, twice have I heard – he heard the word of God outwardly (with his ears) and understood it in his inner man (his heart) that true power belongs to God.
Do we hear the word of God and understand in our hearts that power belongs to God, with Him all things are possible and that all depend on Him to exist? (Psalm 62:11, Matthew 19:26, Acts 17:28).
He is also the God of mercy whose mercy endures for forever and in the New Testament. He is referred to as the Father of mercies – 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.
He is the God of righteousness because He will judge all people according to their deeds justly Verse 1,2 (2 Corinthians 5:10).
CONCLUSION
Waiting on the Lord requires all Christians to bear and wear patience which will help us to exercise our faith in this regard.
Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Mount up wings like the eagle; strong, active and victorious and as such we must continue to wait upon God in all our circumstances (Isaiah 40:31).
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