“Truly he is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be greatly shaken (v.2).”
“Truly he is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken (v.6).”
The interplay between these two statements is very revealing of the strength of God and the weakness of our faith. On the one hand, David says, “My faith is not so strong that my enemies cannot move me a little. They may cause me to waver, to doubt, even to fall into sin for a time, but they will never so shake me that I cannot rise again. God is my rock, salvation and stronghold.” On the other hand, he says, “There is no need for me to be shaken at all, and in the end I will not be. God is my rock, salvation and stronghold.”
The word “truly” is important in this psalm. It occurs six times (verses 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9) and each time at the beginning of the verse. In verses 2 and 6 it expresses David’s strong conviction that God is indeed his rock, salvation and stronghold, his glory, his rock of strength and refuge (v.7). In verses 4 and 9 the same word expresses David’s strong conviction about the enmity and vanity of the sons of men. They consult to thrust him away from his dignity, and in them is no help. Strength and lovingkindness belong to God. In verses 1 and 5 the word expresses David’s firm conviction that his soul is and must be silent towards God, not rebelling against his ways.
To the Chief Musician, to Jeduthun, a Psalm of David
1. Truly to God my soul is silent. From him is my salvation. 2. Truly he is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold. I will not be greatly shaken. 3. How long will you assail a man? You will be slain, all of you. You will be as a leaning wall and tottering fence. 4. Truly they consult to thrust him away from his dignity. They will take pleasure in a lie. With their mouth they will bless, But in their inward parts they will curse. Selah. 5. Truly unto God be silent, my soul. For from him is my expectation. 6. Truly he is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold. I will not be shaken. 7. In God is my salvation and my glory. The rock of my strength, my refuge, is in God. 8. Trust in him in every time, you people. Pour out before him your heart. God is a refuge for us. Selah. 9. Truly vanity are the sons of man, A lie the sons of men. Laid in the balance, together they are lighter than vanity. 10. You shall not trust in oppression, And in robbery you shall not become vain. On wealth, if it will bear fruit, you shall not set the heart. 11. Once God has spoken, Twice I have heard this, That strength belongs to God. 12. And to you, O Lord, belongs lovingkindness, For you pay back every man according to his work. Listen to a sermon on Psalm 62.