In this psalm, David seems to be having a conversation with himself. In the first paragraph he affirms his trust in God, reminding himself of God’s strength and unchanging character. He is the source of David’s salvation.

Then he looks at his situation, where people have proved unreliable and have deliberately tried to bring him to ruin. But, despite his hurt and his anger, David intentionally turns and puts his trust in God. Notice how many words and phrases are repeated in verses 1 to 2 and 5 to 8. In verses 1 to 2, David states his trust as a fact, but then he exhorts himself to trust.

David reminds himself that people who attack, hurt and upset others are only fleeting (v 9), but God is constant. He is always powerful and unfailingly loving. Power on its own could be frightening whereas love on its own could be weak. Praise God that he is both powerful and loving! Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, these two qualities of God allow us to find peace as we commit ourselves to trusting him. 

Lord, give us a glimpse today of the inheritance that is ours in you. Amen.

David begins many of his psalms by telling of his great need, accompanied by a description of a very present crisis. As such psalms progress, we witness his faith rise as he recalls God’s faithfulness and reliance on his current care. Psalm 62 bucks the trend. Clearly in a time of trouble, David commences with a declaration of his confidence in God. I recall a preacher referring to a particular verse of Scripture as one to brush your teeth with each morning. How about making the opening couple of verses of this psalm a declaration to begin your day?

David names some of the challenges he faces, but he asks God for nothing. This psalm oozes faith and trust and is devoid of despair, fear or petition. As in the previous psalm, David emphasises where he finds refuge. I find it captivating how David personalises the characteristics of God in the sure confidence that they are his. Spurgeon notes, ‘Observe how the psalmist brands his own initials upon every name which he rejoicingly gives to his God – my rock, my salvation, my fortress.’¹ Wonderfully, having applied God’s nature to his own context, David widens the reach of God to us all. God is ‘my refuge’ (see v 7) shifts to ‘God is our refuge’ (see v 8) and David’s initials are substituted with yours and mine.

Having laid claim to where to put one’s trust, the psalm closes with emphasis on the futility of placing it elsewhere. As one of much wealth, King David recognises the fleeting nature of riches, described by Spurgeon as ‘only so much as foam of the sea’. The foam of the sea will disappear while your gaze is still upon it, but in Christ you have an inheritance that is yours now and cannot be taken away.

Maybe take a moment today to pause and give thanks for the treasure you have in Christ.

¹ Charles H Spurgeon (Alister McGrath and J I Packer, eds), Psalms (Vol 1), Crossway, 1993, p253