Psalm 62 was one of the first serious christian songs I wrote, back in 1987, as a medical student. I probably had a broken heart at the time, and the psalm spoke to me soothingly. I was probably a little influenced by John Michael Talbot, and usually play this with a plucked arpeggio style on guitar. It works fine as a voice and guitar only song. It is on my "Grace is the Ocean " CD, entitled, "In God Alone", track 4. The lead sheet is below as a PDF. The tune in the second half would need to be simplified to match the first half, if it were sung congregationally.

I took the words from verses 1,2, 5 and 6, of the NIV.

Psalm 62

1. My soul finds rest in God alone;

My salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;

He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

 

2. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

My salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;

He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Lead Sheet

I find it interesting that in verse 5 (the second verse of my song) David addresses himself, encouraging himself to find rest in God alone. Having already stated in verse1, that his (our) soul finds rest only in God, this may seem unnecessary, or repetitive. However, as I get older, I see clearer just how beneficial this turn of phrase is. Both statements are true and necessary. We do only find rest in God, and we must continue to only find rest in God. The Christian life does experience both the peace of abiding in Christ, and the struggle of remaining in that peace. The enemies of God and man continually assault the believer, challenging the truth and adequacy of the peace God gives us. How often are we drawn away to idols, self-fulfilment, materialism, etc. Do we not then experience a dryness in our faith, a loss of joy, a struggle with "old" sins?

Certainly for me, I need both verses; an understanding that my soul truly does find peace in God, and an exhortation to remain in that peace. I wonder if David had an inkling of the value of his written meditations?