MY SOUL WAITETH UPON GOD

PSALM 62

SCRIPTURE READING

Please click PSALM 62

INTRODUCTION

The name "Jeduthun" in the preface of the psalm means "praising". He is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 5:12 "Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets." He is a Levite of the family of Merari and the chief of one of the 3 choirs of the temple whose descendants also formed one of the perpetual temple choirs; he is named at the beginning of 3 Psalms (Ps 39 ,Ps 62 ,Ps 77 ) either as the composer or the recipient of those Psalms but most likely as the leader of the choir by which those Psalms were to be sung. (Strong's, BDB)

The ministry of "Jeduthun" is described here as a seer who waited at the gate that they may not depart from their service. Here is described a picture of disciplined steadfastness in waiting upon the king's orders. This is observed in 2 Chronicles 35:15 "And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them."

The resolution of the psalmist is to wait in faith for God's salvation. V8 is introduced with the "asserverative", emphasizing the expression of a truth or supposed truth newly perceived. “Truly” means “surely, no doubt” (BDB). He has no doubt in his heart the faithfulness of God to deliver him from his trouble. He recommends His good God to his audience in a succinct summary in verse 8 ,“Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before God: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

The word "wait" "דּוּמִיָּה" "dumiyyah" has the sense of being "silence, still waiting, repose" (BDB). It is a feminine noun denoting silence, a quiet wait, in silence, rest. It indicates a time of silence in the sense of rest (Psalm 22:2 ) or a self-imposed period of silence in the presence of evil persons (Psalm 39:2 ). Here it indicates a time of reverential silence and patience as one waits for God (Psalm 62:1 ) or a period of awesome silence in anticipation of praise to the Lord (Psalm 65:1 ). (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of Old Testament)

In this fast moving world of technological advances and fast food, "waiting" is a misnomer. It doesn't seem to fit into our modern life style. "Impatience" seemed to be the mental attitude of this generation. How we need to learn to quieten down and be sure that in our "progress" in life, God is at the helm. The psalmist teaches us the need to be waiting in silence before God for from Him alone comes true salvation. The anxiety in the heart of the psalmist is given to God's care - replying upon His power (v 11 ) and waiting for His mercy (v 12a ). How necessary for the Christian to cultivate the inner man to rest in God always! God is also judge, man is weighed in the balance of God's laws (v 12b ). The self restraining spirit, the determination to seek no other help but God's, is the heart cry of practical theology.

The psalmist tells us the reason why his soul waits upon God.

Illustration

A little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. She said to his daughter 'Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river.'

The little girl said, 'No, Dad. You hold my hand.' 'What's the difference?' The father asked. 'There's a big difference,' replied the little girl.

'If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go.'

Is this your relationship with your Father in heaven? This is the psalmist's testimony, when he says, "my soul waits upon God." So hold the hand of the Person who loves you though we know He will not fail to hold yours.