The Week of June 9, 2008

Psalm 60, 61, 62
Psalm 60
This prayer for deliverance is communal in nature. Trouble surrounds the entire people of God, and some kind of military defeat threatens the future. The psalm begins with a lament (vv. 1-3) then follows with a prayer for divine help (vv.4-5). Next comes a divine oracle, reminding those who pray of God's promises and faithfulness (vv.6-8). The psalm ends with prayers for military victory over Edom. The geography described in the divine oracle of vv. 6-8 outlines the old Davidic Empire with its vassal states, Edom, Moab and Philistia. These regions are listed to inspire hope that Israel might once again reach its former glory. Theologically, this psalm expresses the ancient idea that God engages in human warfare to punish those who are faithless, and to reward faithfulness.

Psalm 61
This prayer divides into two parts. The first five verses represent the lament and the supplications of the King. The metaphor "to the ends of the earth" and "my heart is faint" indicate being on the brink of death. The King cries to God for shelter and for refuge. Then in vv. 6-7 the people pray for their King to recover and enjoy a long life. Twice "vows" are mentioned, and this most likely refers to the keeping of God's covenant in duties as a monarch.

Psalm 62
This beautiful psalm of trust contains one of the best known refrains within the Psalter; "For God alone my soul waits in silence -He alone is my rock and my salvation -I shall not be shaken." (Vv.1-2; 5-6) The repetition of this refrain frames this poem into one of unshakable trust in the God of Israel. The "waiting in silence" is difficult to translate from Hebrew to English. It is meant to imply a peace and quieting of the soul as it rests in God - not physical silence or temporal waiting. In the end, the psalm instructs the faithful in the importance of trusting God, not physical or worldly substitutes.

From my reading: Psalm 62
Through most of its lines, Psalm 62 is composed in the style appropriate for a person's own confession of faith and for a testimony and witness and instruction to others. But in its closing line (v.12) the style shifts to direct address to "my Lord," showing that it is also composed to be said in the presence of God as a declaration of commitment. It is thus a psalm that guides our own confession, instructs us in trust, and makes a commitment to our Lord.
Mays Psalms - Interpretation Commentary

My thoughts:

Lead me to a rock that is higher than I;
For you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Psalm 61:2-3

It seemed like a good idea at the time. My dog and I, out on an unusually cool summer night, took a "path less traveled" home. We walked past a construction site, and as I looked up to see the stone façade of the new building, without warning my feet sank into 12 inches of fresh mud. A recent rain created a mudslide of the new sidewalk. Quickly I looked around - reticent to take another step in the mud and unable to make out the contours of the sidewalk. Then I saw it. Ahead of me in the mud, a large, flat rock; a short hop from where I stood sinking. Without much thought I went for it, a sure foothold in a sea of mud!

The poetry of the psalms swells with imagery of God as a rock or fortress; a sure foothold in whatever mess we find ourselves. For generations people of faith have leapt to that rock, clung to that rock, and prayed for that rock. The truth of the Psalms stands firm; that rock is always within reach; always a short hop; always available. May each of us learn to watch for and to leap for the Rock higher than anything we might build for ourselves.

My hope is in God; He alone is my Rock and my Salvation,
My fortress; I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6

Blessings,
Pastor Stacy

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