David’s Refuge: Our Only Hope

David’s life was a revolving door of adversity. The Scriptures report that he faced one overwhelming circumstance after another, which required him to trust in the Lord and not his abilities. David was consistently in danger, hurting, afraid, and at the end of himself. He needed to seek refuge in the Lord while fighting lions, bears, and Goliath the Philistine; while enduring the theft of his wife and the death of two of his sons; while running in the wilderness from King Saul and his son Absalom; and even while reckoning with the just judgment of God upon his sin against Bathsheba and as a result from his prideful census. Thankfully for us, the Lord chose David to be king of his own chosen people—the king after God’s own heart—who provides us with examples of, and exhortations toward, taking refuge in the Lord. Psalm 62 is one such gift to the people of God today.

I encourage you to take a moment and read Psalm 62. The Holy Spirit, through David, teaches us three primary lessons. First, the people of God experience legitimate opposition, which requires a reliable refuge if they hope to endure. Second, we enter the refuge of God in Christ through waiting in silence, rehearsing truth to our souls, and pouring out our souls to God. Third, the character of God carries the day.

We Need a Refuge
The people of God are not secure in themselves. There are enemies to our well-being and our souls. In Psalm 62, King David cries out against his earthly enemies. They are wearing him down, likely attempting to depose the king (V3-4). He can see and physically experience his opposition. These wicked men present a tangible threat. They could truly cause David harm. We are not so different. Our pastor consistently reminds us that we have a threefold enemy—the world, the flesh, and the devil. We also experience significant and difficult circumstances in this fallen world. Even in the security of our time and culture, a diagnosis, pink slip, depression, social ostracism, violent crime, divorce, the apostasy of a loved one, abuse, famine, war, or any one of a thousand other terrible scenarios could enter our lives at a moment’s notice. In both physical and spiritual opposition, we face genuine enemies who can harm us physically and spiritually.

David doesn’t look to himself to preserve his kingdom or face his opposition. He looks at his earthly options and contrasts them with God himself. He could seek to control his life through extortion and robbery, become like his opposition, or look for strength in wealth (V10). But these cannot be trusted. At the end of the day, David observes that both the lowly and the esteemed are but a breath. Drawing out their worthlessness, they go up in the scales (V9). Think of how the preacher uses the word ‘vanity’ in the book of Ecclesiastes. Putting our hope in ourselves, others, or earthly means is useless. Our opposition outweighs us.

David needs a refuge, a high tower, a strong defense, a fortress to protect him against his foes. The fact that we, too, need a refuge gives testimony to the fact that we are easily moved. We have nothing weighty enough in ourselves to withstand the tempests of life. God alone is David’s hope, refuge, fortress, rock, and salvation. Five of the first six verses begin with the words ‘alone’ or ‘only’ and emphasize God as the sole source of victory in the face of an enemy. Instead of the weightlessness of man, David finds his glory (weightiness) in God (V7). As the Lord Jesus is the only way to eternal life, so is the Lord the only refuge able to withstand this life’s physical and spiritual storms.

Entering the Refuge
The question now becomes, how can we enter God as our refuge? David exhibits three avenues. First, David waits in faithful silence (V1 & 5). God is set apart from his creation and provides the only true security in a volatile world. Acknowledging God’s exclusivity, David believes that God will deliver upon his promises and character. David lives in the context of the Lord’s covenant promises to Abraham, Moses, and the covenant God made with David himself. The Lord is established and faithful in fulfilling everything he promises. Commenting on verse 1, Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Faith can hear the footsteps of coming salvation because she has learned to be silent.” (48). Therefore, let us exercise our faith in the face of our enemies and take refuge by waiting on the Lord.

Second, David rehearses the truth to his own soul. Notice the slight difference in the wording of verses 2 and 6. At first, David says he “will not be greatly shaken”, but after rehearsing the truth he gains the confidence to simply say that he “will not be shaken.” Further, in 5 and 6 he urges his soul to believe what he declared at the start. We must preach God’s goodness, faithfulness, and truth to our hearts moment by moment.

Third, David exhorts others to pour out their hearts to God (V6). Trust requires action. One clear way to demonstrate our trust in the Lord is to unburden ourselves at his feet. David often takes his own advice throughout the Psalms. He further encourages us that God keeps track of all of his struggles and tears (Psalm 56:8). Peter likewise encourages us in the face of adversity to “cast your cares upon him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). The Lord can be trusted. Take him at his word and pour out your hearts.

The Assurance of God’s Character
We’ve already remembered that we can trust God. David concludes Psalm 62 with a specific rehearsal of the character of God. Using the poetic device of “once. . .twice,” David emphasizes the dual goodness of God’s power and steadfast love. Yahweh is all-powerful, nothing can stand against him. Yahweh also shows steadfast, covenant-keeping love. Those in covenant with the Lord through the blood of his Son receive his unbreakable love coupled with his unbounded power leveraged on their behalf. This God is our refuge. He is true, dependable, and able to meet whatever evil or challenges come our way. Loss of career or cancer, death or disaster, persecution or pain, God remains the only trustworthy refuge. Go to Him.

Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Classic Reflections on the Wisdom of the Psalms, Volume 2 (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1876), pg 48.

— Jeff DeWalt

Jeff and his wife, Meghan, moved to Louisville in 2021 and quickly became members at Ninth and O. They have two young children. He currently serves as director for the Young Couples 1 BFG and in the nursery.