Why does David say “not greatly shaken” and then “not shaken”? Study Psalm 62 with context, apologetic analysis, and cross-references.
Dr. Lucas D. Shallua Commentary · PSALM 62 — WAITING IN SILENCE FOR GOD ALONE
The first recognizes felt disturbance; the repeated self-command strengthens confidence. Faith may move from qualified stability toward firmer assurance without pretending the assault never occurred.
Works reveal allegiance and receive God's just assessment; they do not purchase covenant mercy. Power and steadfast love frame judgment, and the psalmist's own salvation comes from God alone.
Verse 8 commands poured-out hearts. Silence is surrendered waiting before God, not refusal to articulate grief.
Genre: psalm of confidence and wisdom instruction. This Davidic confidence psalm is directed to Jeduthun, a Levitical worship leader or guild. Its repeated “alone” and paired refrains (vv. 1–2; 5–6) create disciplined concentration. The psalm moves from personal confession, through address to attackers, to communal exhortation and divine oracle. No crisis is named, though political conspiracy is evident. English Psalm 62 is Psalm 61 in Greek/Latin numbering.
The psalm weighs humanity, wealth, and political force rather than merely asserting their insufficiency. Each is real yet too light to function as an ultimate foundation. Its God unites power with steadfast love, answering fears of both an impotent kindness and an arbitrary omnipotence.
This study preserves the hard questions, explanations, context, apologetic note, and references from Dr. Shallua's Commentary.