Psalm 62 - Overcomer - Only in God
I put this psalm to music in my 62nd year. I thought of doing it because a friend of mine turned 42, so I sent him Psalm 42 and it seemed to apply to his life. This has been a sad year because my son Isaac went to be with the Lord in February. Isaac's favorite psalm is Psalm 73, so I used the same tune for this psalm because this psalm is similar to Psalm 73.
v1 This psalm is for the overcomer. It is through David, and it is also "upon Jeduthun". There are 3 psalms that mention "Jeduthun" in the heading. All 3 are for the overcomer. Psalm 39 is also through David, but is "for Jeduthun" or "through Jeduthun" rather than "upon Jeduthun". Psalm 77 is also "upon Jeduthun" and is through Asaph.
What does "upon Jeduthun" mean? "Upon" in a psalm heading usually describes the tune, but that does not make sense here since Jeduthun is a person. Since Jeduthun was David's seer, I think it means that David wrote this psalm based upon what Jeduthun had prophesied ( vv9-12).
This psalm must have been written after David was king because Jeduthun was his seer during David's kingship.
This short psalm of 12 verses uses the Hebrew word, Ach, "only" or "surely" 6 times, more than any other place in the Bible: The psalms that use this word the next most are Psalms 39 (4x) and 73 (3x). It is interesting that Psalm 39 is also through David with Jeduthun, and Psalm 73 is related to this psalm in my experience above. The 1st use of this word in the Psalms is Psalm 23:6.
The 6 only's in this psalm:
1. My soul is silent only to God ( v1).
2. He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress ( v2).
3. They consult only to knock him down ( v4).
4. My soul, rest quiet only in God ( v5). Same as #1, but imperative.
6. The sons of Adam are only a breath ( v9).
The word for "rest" here and in v 5 means silent repose.
v2 - lit. I'll not be greatly shaken.
v3 - David switches from the 1st person in vv1-2 to the 3rd person in vv 3-4 when talking about being persecuted, then back to the 1st person. It seems he is still talking about himself.
Possibly, but I doubt it, David is speaking of someone else in vv 3-4. Maybe it is Jeduthun. In that case, the "upon Jeduthun" in the psalm heading would be translated "concerning Jeduthun". Or it may be Jeduthun talking about David.
This person is a wall or fence stopping the hypocrites' plans.
Though David is king, he considers himself weak as a leaning wall or tottering fence.
v4 - Our dignity is our standing before God, not as a man-pleaser.
v. 7 lit. Rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
v8 - "At all times" means on dark as well as on bright days. When the heart is charged with sorrow or sin, what a relief it is to open the sluice gates, and pour all out toward God! - F. B. Meyer
v9 - "common men" is literally "sons of Adam". "Persons" is literally "sons of a person" (Hebrew ish).
v10 - my favorite verse in this psalm
v11 - "thing(s)" is not in the Hebrew text. The Hebrew text just says "one" and "two". Most translations insert the word "time(s)" instead of "things", but I do not think "time(s)" is meaningful here. In the similar Prov 6:16ff; 30:15ff, "things" is inserted. In Job 33:14 "time(s)" is inserted, but in that verse there is the preposition "in" before the numbers.
What is the one thing God said, and the two things David heard?
1. Strength belongs to God.
2. With the Lord there is mercy because He rewards everyone according to his works.
The one thing God said should be that strength belongs to God. This clause has God in the 3rd person, which is often how God talks.
The 2 things that David heard are the one thing God said plus that with the Lord there is mercy because He will judge everything we do.
"In these 2 things are contained nearly all the Scriptures." - Augustine
These are "the 2 pillars on which we rest, and may defy the surges of temptation." - Calvin
Power and Mercy are the 2 pillars on which the Temple of His justice rests. - F. B. Meyer
- Steve Miller
copyright 6/10/2016 voiceInWilderness.info
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Psalm 62 for the overcomer, upon Jeduthun, a psalm through David
Composer: Charles H. Gabriel
1 1 My soul's silent, to God only.
My salvation's from Him solely.
2 He only is my Rock truly,
and Salvation surely.
He's my Fortress, I'll not be shaken.
3 How long will you attack a person?
To throw him down, all you are working,
this leaning wall, tot'ring?
2 4 They consult to push him, only,
down from upon his dignity.
They are taking delight in lies,
with their mouths eulogize,
but inwardly they're cursing. Selah.
5 My soul, Rest quiet only in God
because my hope comes from Him solely.
6 He is my Rock, only,
3 and only is my Salvation.
He's my Fortress. I'm not shaken.
7 My salvation and my glory
depend on God,surely.
Rock of my strength, God, Refuge of mine -
8 You people trust this One at all times.
Pour out your hearts unto Him, tell all.
God's our Refuge. Selah.
4 9 Common men are a breath, only.
Persons are but a vanity.
If on a scale they are measured,
they're nothing together.
Together they are lighter than air.
10 Do not trust in extortion unfair,
nor become worthless through robbery.
God is our Rock, you see.
5 Though your riches, they might increase,
set not your heart on them for grief.
11 One thing God has spoken to us;
two things I have heard thus:
that to God belongs power mighty,
12 and with You, O Lord, there is mercy,
for You recompense every person
based upon what he's done.
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Genesis 7:23 And every living being was destroyed that was on the ground, both man, and cattle, and creeping things, and fowl of the heavens; and they were destroyed from the earth. And Noah alone remained, and what was with him in the ark. (Gen 7:23 DBY)
9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you: as the green herb I give you everything.
4 Only, the flesh with its life, its blood, ye shall not eat. (Gen 9:3-4 DBY)
18:32 And he said, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, that I speak yet but this time! Perhaps there may be ten found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten's sake. (Gen 18:32 DBY)
20:12 But she is also truly my sister, the daughter of my father, only not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
Genesis 9:5 And indeed your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require: at the hand of every animal will I require it, and at the hand of Man, at the hand of each the blood of his brother, will I require the life of Man. (Gen 9:5 DBY)
Psalm 39:1 For the overcomer, for Jeduthun. A Psalm through David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked is before me.
Psalm 77:1 For the overcomer. Upon Jeduthun. through Asaph a Psalm. My voice is unto God, and I will cry; my voice is unto God, and he will give ear unto me. (Psa 77:1 DBY)
1Chronicles 16:40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;
41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;
42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters. (1Ch 16:40-42 KJV)
1 Chronicles 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. (1Ch 25:1-6 KJV)
2Chronicles 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. (2Ch 35:15 KJV)
Psalm 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. (Psa 39:5 KJV)
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. (Psa 39:6 KJV)
11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. (Psa 39:11 KJV)
Psalm 73:1 <A Psalm of Asaph.> Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. (Psa 73:1 KJV)
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. (Psa 73:13 KJV)
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. (Psa 73:18 KJV)
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psa 23:6 KJV)
Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth Jehovah hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood;
18 a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations; feet that are swift in running to mischief;
19 a false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discords among brethren. (Pro 6:16-19 DBY)
30:15 The leech hath two daughters: Give, give. There are three things never satisfied; four which say not, It is enough:
16 -- Sheol, and the barren womb; the earth which is not filled with water, and the fire which saith not, It is enough.
17 The eye that mocketh at a father, and despiseth to obey a mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
29 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. (Pro 30:18-31 KJV)
Job 33:14 For *God speaketh once, and twice, -- and man perceiveth it not (Job 33:14 DBY)
- Steve Miller
copyright 6/10/2016 voiceInWilderness.info
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