January 17thPsalm #62
The grace of silence
For many years I have begun my devotional time with a centering prayer based on the words from this Psalm:
‘For You alone, God, my soul in silence waits;
from You comes my salvation.’
A centering prayer is simply a prayer that you repeat over and over until your mind is cleared of distractions and you can enter into silence and listen for God.
An old Peanuts cartoon shows Charlie Brown and Sally outside looking at the stars in the night sky. ‘Let’s go inside and watch television,’ says Charlie. ‘I’m beginning to feel insignificant.’ Like Charlie Brown we try to avoid silence and solitude because it makes us uncomfortable. It forces us to admit our true condition as humans, that we lack control.
Think of Psalm 62 as a personal testimony given to the worshipping community:
Vs.1-4 - The individual gives testimony to her experience of trusting in God. She pictures herself as a wall about to topple over. Opponents in the community are acting like a wrecking crew battering the wall until it falls. These are ‘insiders’, friendly on the exterior but vicious slanderers in secret. The wicked have muscle, influence, and resources on their side but they are not as powerful as they believe. They are self-deceived in their self-confidence.
The psalmist responds in silence. But it is not an empty silence. This is a silence that is expectant with hope the God will act and soon right the situation.
Vs. 5-10 – Her testimony encourages the congregation to learn from that experience and apply it to their own lives. Because she has placed her hope and trust in God, the anxiety and distress caused by other people has lost its power. In John Calvin’s memorable words, the psalmist lives into the ‘grace of silence.’ She ‘will not be shaken’ (v.6).
Notice the string of descriptors for God: ‘my hope, my rock, my salvation, my fortress, my deliverance, my refuge, my power, my steadfast love.’
She testifies that we need not be anxious about opposition. The enemies schemes are about as significant as a puff of smoke, and even their riches will not buy security (v.8-10).
Vs. 11-12 – The testimony concludes with the individual’s revelation about why God is worthy of trust. Two things belong to God: strength and faithful commitment. Commitment is God’s capacity to support the vulnerable and the willingness to do so. So, what is the nature of God’s power? Here we see an answer: God’s infinite power is God’s infinite love!
This psalm contrasts sharply with many other prayers in the Psalter. In many of these, people are consistently noisy and protesting in their praying. ‘Once again, the Psalter extends the range of ways in which it invites people to pray. Thus, there are no rules to prayer except to start where you are but also to be open to a new freedom that you have not yet embraced.’ (John Goldingay).
SILENCE
If I chose to hide you away, it is for a reason.
I have brought you to this place.
Drink in the silence. Seek solitude.
Listen to the silence.
It will teach you. It will build strength
Let others share it with you.
It is little to be found elsewhere.
Silence will speak more to you in a day than the world of voices can teach you in a lifetime.
Find silence. Find solitude – and having discovered her riches, bind her to your heart.
Frances J. Roberts
https://youtu.be/h6AcGo9xEw8 - Only in God