Psalm 62:6
He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken.
He only
The phrase "He only" emphasizes the exclusivity and singularity of God as the source of strength and salvation. In the Hebrew text, the word "only" is translated from the word "אַךְ" (akh), which conveys a sense of limitation to God alone. This highlights the psalmist's unwavering trust in God, rejecting any reliance on human strength or other deities. Historically, Israel often struggled with idolatry and alliances with other nations, but this verse calls believers to focus solely on God as their refuge.

is my rock
The metaphor of God as a "rock" is rich in biblical imagery, symbolizing strength, stability, and protection. In Hebrew, the word "rock" is "צוּר" (tsur), which conveys the idea of a massive, unmovable stone. This imagery would have resonated deeply with the ancient Israelites, who lived in a land with rocky terrain and understood the security a rock could provide. Spiritually, it reminds believers that God is unchanging and reliable, a foundation upon which they can build their lives.

and my salvation
The term "salvation" in Hebrew is "יְשׁוּעָה" (yeshu'ah), which means deliverance or rescue. This word is closely related to the name Yeshua (Jesus), pointing to the ultimate salvation found in Christ. In the context of the psalm, it refers to God's ability to save from physical and spiritual dangers. Historically, the Israelites experienced God's salvation through deliverance from enemies, and this verse reassures believers of God's ongoing power to save.

my fortress
The word "fortress" in Hebrew is "מִשְׂגָּב" (misgab), indicating a high, secure place of refuge. In ancient times, fortresses were critical for protection against invaders, often built on elevated ground to provide a strategic advantage. This imagery conveys God's role as a protector who offers safety and security. For believers, it serves as a reminder that God is a stronghold in times of trouble, offering peace and protection.

I will not be shaken
The phrase "I will not be shaken" reflects a deep confidence in God's protection and stability. The Hebrew word for "shaken" is "אֶמּוֹט" (emot), which means to totter or slip. This assurance is not based on human strength but on the steadfastness of God. Historically, the psalmist may have faced significant trials, yet his faith in God provided an unshakeable foundation. For contemporary believers, this verse encourages a trust in God that withstands life's uncertainties and challenges.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 62, David was the second king of Israel, known for his deep faith and reliance on God amidst trials.

2. God
Referred to as the "rock," "salvation," and "fortress," emphasizing His strength, protection, and deliverance.

3. Israel
The nation to whom David belonged and often addressed in his psalms, representing God's chosen people.

4. Enemies/Oppressors
Though not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm suggests adversaries against whom David seeks God's protection.

5. Zion
While not directly mentioned in this verse, Zion often symbolizes God's presence and protection, relevant to the themes of refuge and salvation.
Teaching Points
God as Our Unshakeable Foundation
Just as a rock provides stability, God offers a firm foundation for our lives. In times of uncertainty, we can rely on His unchanging nature.

Salvation and Deliverance
God is not only our protector but also our savior. In moments of spiritual or physical peril, we can trust in His power to deliver us.

The Fortress of Faith
Viewing God as a fortress implies a place of refuge and safety. Our faith in Him should be a stronghold against the trials and temptations of life.

Exclusive Trust in God
The phrase "He alone" emphasizes the importance of placing our trust solely in God, rather than in worldly solutions or human strength.

Living Without Fear
With God as our rock and fortress, we are encouraged to live boldly and without fear, knowing that we are secure in His protection.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God as a "rock" and "fortress" influence your perspective on facing life's challenges?

2. In what ways can you actively place your trust in God alone, as opposed to relying on other sources of security?

3. How do the themes of salvation and deliverance in Psalm 62:6 connect to the New Testament understanding of Jesus as Savior?

4. Reflect on a time when you felt "shaken." How might this verse encourage you to respond differently in the future?

5. How can you incorporate the imagery of God as a fortress into your daily prayer life, seeking His protection and guidance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18:2
This verse also describes God as a rock, fortress, and deliverer, reinforcing the imagery of God as a steadfast protector.

Isaiah 26:4
Encourages trust in the Lord forever, for He is an everlasting rock, echoing the theme of God as a reliable foundation.

Matthew 7:24-25
Jesus speaks of building one's life on the rock, symbolizing the stability and security found in obedience to His teachings.

1 Peter 2:6
Refers to Christ as the cornerstone, connecting the Old Testament imagery of God as a rock to the New Testament revelation of Jesus.
SteadfastnessW. Forsyth Psalm 62:6
Waiting Only Upon GodCharles Haddon Spurgeon Psalm 62:6
A Testimony and an ExhortationHomilistPsalm 62:1-12
Danger and SafetyC. Short Psalm 62:1-12
Faith TriumphantJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 62:1-12
Silence to GodA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 62:1-12
This is a Psalm of TestimonyW. Forsyth Psalm 62:1-12
Waiting Upon God is the Soul Casting its AnchorBridge.Psalm 62:1-12
Silence to GodA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 62:5-6
The Upgrade of FaithThomas Spurgeon.Psalm 62:5-6
People
David, Jeduthun, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Alone, Defence, Defense, Fortress, Greatly, Moved, Rock, Salvation, Shaken, Stronghold, Tower
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 62:6

     1205   God, titles of

Psalm 62:5-8

     5058   rest, spiritual
     8215   confidence, results

Psalm 62:6-7

     4354   rock
     5490   refuge

Library
April 3. "My Expectation is from Him" (Ps. Lxii. 5).
"My expectation is from Him" (Ps. lxii. 5). When we believe for a blessing, we must take the attitude of faith, and begin to act and pray as if we had our blessing. We must treat God as if He had given us our request. We must lean our weight over upon Him for the thing that we have claimed, and just take it for granted that He gives it, and is going to continue to give it. This is the attitude of trust. When the wife is married, she at once falls into a new attitude, and acts in accordance with the
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Waiting Only Upon God
"He everywhere hath sway, And all things serve his might; His every act pure blessing is, His path unsullied light." Oh! that we had grace to carry out the text in that sense of it! It is a hard matter to be calm in the day of trouble; but it is a high exercise of divine grace when we can stand unmoved in the day of adversity, and feel that "Should the earth's old pillars shake, And all the wheels of nature break, Our stedfast souls should hear no more Than solid rocks when billows roar." That is
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Justice.
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renderest to every man according to his work.--Psalm lxii. 12. Some of the translators make it kindness and goodness; but I presume there is no real difference among them as to the character of the word which here, in the English Bible, is translated mercy. The religious mind, however, educated upon the theories yet prevailing in the so-called religious world, must here recognize a departure from the presentation to which they have been accustomed:
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Forgiveness and Retribution.
"Thou renderest to every man according to his work."--Psalms lxii: 12. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."--II Cor. v: 10. Forgiveness and Retribution. I can imagine some one saying, "I attend church, and have heard that if we confess our sin, God will forgive us; now I hear that I must reap the same kind of seed that I have sown. How can I harmonize the
Dwight L. Moody—Sowing and Reaping

Waiting on God
Psalms 62:5.--My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him. The solemn question comes to us, "Is the God I have, a God that is to me above all circumstances, nearer to me than any circumstance can be?" Brother, have you learned to live your life having God so really with you every moment, that in circumstances the most difficult He is always more present and nearer than anything around you? All our knowledge of God's Word will help us very little, unless that comes to be the question
Andrew Murray—The Master's Indwelling

My High Tower
"He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence, I shall not be moved."--Ps. lxii. 6. Paul Gerhardt, 1676. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Is God for me? I fear not, though all against me rise; I call on Christ my Saviour, the host of evil flies. My friend the Lord Almighty, and He who loves me, God, What enemy shall harm me, though coming as a flood? I know it, I believe it, I say it fearlessly, That God, the Highest, Mightiest, for ever loveth me; At all times, in all places, He standeth
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

Remembrance and Resolution. --Ps. Lxii.
Remembrance and Resolution.--Ps. lxii. O God! Thou art my God alone; Early to Thee my soul shall cry, A pilgrim in a land unknown, A thirsty land whose Springs are dry. Oh! that it were as it hath been, When, praying in the holy place, Thy power and glory I have seen, And mark'd the footsteps of Thy grace! Yet through this rough and thorny maze, I follow hard on Thee, my God! Thine hand unseen upholds my ways, I safely tread where Thou hast trod. Thee, in the watches of the night, When I remember
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Thou Shalt not Steal.
This Commandment also has a work, which embraces very many good works, and is opposed to many vices, and is called in German Mildigkeit, "benevolence;" which is a work ready to help and serve every one with one's goods. And it fights not only against theft and robbery, but against all stinting in temporal goods which men may practise toward one another: such as greed, usury, overcharging and plating wares that sell as solid, counterfeit wares, short measures and weights, and who could tell all the
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

The Heart of Man and the Heart of God
"Lord, teach us to pray."--Luke xi. 1. "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us."--Ps. lxii. 8. EVER since the days of St. Augustine, it has been a proverb that God has made the heart of man for Himself, and that the heart of man finds no true rest till it finds its rest in God. But long before the days of St. Augustine, the Psalmist had said the same thing in the text. The heart of man, the Psalmist had said, is such that it can pour itself out
Alexander Whyte—Lord Teach Us To Pray

The Songs of the Fugitive.
The psalms which probably belong to the period of Absalom's rebellion correspond well with the impression of his spirit gathered from the historical books. Confidence in God, submission to His will, are strongly expressed in them, and we may almost discern a progress in the former respect as the rebellion grows. They flame brighter and brighter in the deepening darkness. From the lowest abyss the stars are seen most clearly. He is far more buoyant when he is an exile once more in the wilderness,
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Nineteenth Day for the Holy Spirit on Christendom
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Christendom "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."--2 TIM. iii. 5. "Thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead."--REV. iii. 1. There are five hundred millions of nominal Christians. The state of the majority is unspeakably awful. Formality, worldliness, ungodliness, rejection of Christ's service, ignorance, and indifference--to what an extent does all this prevail. We pray for the heathen--oh! do let us pray for those bearing
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

The Love of the Holy Spirit in Us.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."--Matt. xxvii. 37. The Scripture teaches not only that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and with Him Love, but also that He sheds abroad that Love in our hearts. This shedding abroad does not refer to the coming of the Holy Spirit's Person, for a person can not be shed abroad. He comes, takes possession, and dwells in us; but that which is shed abroad
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Daily Walk with Others (ii. ).
If Jesus Christ thou serve, take heed, Whate'er the hour may be; His brethren are obliged indeed By their nobility. In the present chapter I follow the general principles of the last into some further details. And I place before me as a sort of motto those twice-repeated words of the Apostle, TAKE HEED UNTO THYSELF. These words, it will be remembered, are addressed in both places to the Christian Minister. [Acts xx. 28; 1 Tim. iv. 6.] At Miletus St Paul gathers round him the Presbyters of Ephesus,
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

The Chorus of Angels
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing! I t was a good report which the queen of Sheba heard, in her own land, of the wisdom and glory of Solomon. It lessened her attachment to home, and prompted her to undertake a long journey to visit this greater King, of whom she had heard so much. She went, and she was not disappointed. Great as the expectations were, which she had formed from the relation made her by others,
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

But Concerning True Patience, Worthy of the Name of this virtue...
12. But concerning true patience, worthy of the name of this virtue, whence it is to be had, must now be inquired. For there are some [2650] who attribute it to the strength of the human will, not which it hath by Divine assistance, but which it hath of free-will. Now this error is a proud one: for it is the error of them which abound, of whom it is said in the Psalm, "A scornful reproof to them which abound, and a despising to the proud." [2651] It is not therefore that "patience of the poor" which
St. Augustine—On Patience

Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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