Monday, August 12 – Psalms 61, 62
1. Where does the psalmist want to dwell forever? Psalms 61:4
2. What does the psalmist warn us about if riches increase? Psalms 62:10
Commentary and Reflection:
The Adventist Bible Commentary says about Psalm 61:
“Psalm 61 is the prayer of an exile longing for restoration to the joys of God’s sanctuary. Some commentators believe that it was possibly composed when David was in exile at the time of Absalom’s rebellion. It is said that this beautiful prayer-poem was sung daily at morning worship in the early ages of the Christian church.” (SDABC, Introduction to Psalm 61)
“On Neginoth (Ps. 4, 6, 54, 55, 67, 76). Probably meaning, “with stringed instruments” (RSV). The word is used in the singular in the superscription of Ps. 61 . Neginoth is rendered “stringed instruments” in Isa. 38:20 and Hab. 3:19. The Hebrews had three kinds of stringed instalments, the harp (Heb. nebel), the lyre (Heb. kinnor), and the zither (Heb. ‘asor).” (SDABC, Introduction to Psalms, Superscriptions)
This Psalm is a beautiful prayer we can make our own: “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed.” Our moment of weakness is God’s opportunity to show His strength in us.
“The Oriental traveler is delighted when he can find, jutting high above the illimitable blazing desert, a great crag under whose shade he may rest or on whose top he may find safety from beasts and other marauders (see Isa. 32:2). It is well to pray not so much for deliverance as for endurance and elevation. Troubles tend to decrease when they are surveyed from a height. See E. Johnson’s hymn, ‘O Sometimes the Shadows Are Deep,’ No. 633 in The Church Hymnal, in which the refrain takes its inspiration from this verse.” (SDABC Psalms 61:2)
The Adventist Bible Commentary says about Psalm 62:
“Psalm 62 contains several resemblances in phraseology to Ps. 39, but is different in theme. The psalm counsels men, in whatsoever trials they find themselves, to trust wholly in God, because no human being can be of substantial help. It is a lofty expression of the psalmist’s triumphant faith in God. It employs extraordinary nobility of phrasing. The psalm is characterized by the sixfold use of the Hebrew word ’ak (translated “truly,” “only,” “surely”) at the beginning of vs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9. The refrain is found in vs. 1,2 and 5,6, preceding, rather than following, the units of thought.” (SDABC, Introduction to Psalm 62)
“The titles to three psalms (Ps. 39, 62, and 77) contain the name of Jeduthun, who was the head of a company of Temple musicians (see 1 Chron. 16:41 , 42), and probably an arranger and compiler of Temple music. These titles, however, contain other names than that of Jeduthun, and it is probable that the three psalms were not written by Jeduthun but possibly were intended to be sung to tunes composed by him.” (SDABC, Introduction to Psalms, Authorship)
David laments the hypocrisy around him. As king, he surely often had to deal with people who treated him falsely out of interest, seeking to gain something, not out of a genuine heart. “They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.” (verse 4) This hypocrisy must have been very frustrating for him.
This situation leads him to trust only in God, “My soul waits silently for God alone; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” (verses 5-7)
Verse 10 provides valuable advice, “If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” This is the key to not being corrupted by money.
This Psalm focuses on trusting in God and placing hope in Him. Let us keep the psalmist’s exhortation in our hearts, and may it be so today.