This Bible study is all about what it means when your soul finds rest in God alone.
Have you ever heard the phrase “my soul finds rest in God alone” and wondered where it came from? Or maybe you heard that and wanted to know what it would feel like to have your soul truly find rest in God. If you are like most of us, you’re tired of always hurrying along to the next thing, tired of being exhausted when you wake up in the morning, and tired of living in the mundane of life.
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It is easy to get tired of living in this world, but God promises a different way of living. David was a man who was tired of being chased by his enemies and would have loved to get a moment’s rest. Yet, despite being on the run and fighting for his survival, he found that his soul could rest in God, and in God alone.
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In a moment, we will explore David’s words in an in-depth look at Psalms 62, but before you read the Psalm, take a second to think about what it would be like to have a soul that finds rest in God alone.
What it looks like for your soul to find rest in God
Finding rest in God is being firmly rooted in Him, knowing that He alone can provide comfort, strength, and guidance for all of life’s challenges. You can rest in God because you know that all of your worries, fears, and burdens are surrendered to Him. Allowing your soul to find rest in Him emphasizes the importance of trust, faith and reliance on God’s provisions and grace, regardless of your external circumstances.
David was to find rest in God alone, and He shares how you can too!
Psalm 62
This is a Psalm that was written during the time that David’s son, Absalom, was trying to kill him so that he could get the throne. Despite the troubles that David was facing, he was able to proclaim that his soul “finds rest in God alone.” David did not ignore the problems he was facing, rather, he gave them to God and put his trust in Him fully.
Why your Soul finds rest in God alone (V. 1-2)
Truly my soul finds rest in God
David opens up the Psalm with the word “truly.” This Hebrew word, אַךְ (‘aḵ), is often used as an emphasizer to what follows, and is often translated as “surly,” “indeed,” and “only.” The fact that this word is repeated six times in this short psalm paints the picture that David has really had time to think about and evaluate his life. He has reflected on where his help comes from. David knows that rest can only be found in God. He is confident of what he is saying, and thus begins this Psalm: Truly, my soul finds rest in God.
Here is the theme of this Psalm: a soul which finds rest in God alone. The Hebrews gives us the picture of someone who waits silently on God. Maybe they are so distressed that they cannot find the words they need to communicate their feelings. Or maybe they have spoken over and over the troubles they are facing and collapse in complete exhaustion, having nothing left to be said. Either way, they find rest in waiting on God in total surrender. They are silent before His throne, enjoying the peace of His presence.
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Resting in His character
In this section, David also acknowledges the characteristics of God. The God we serve is a rock and a fortress: He offers protection from all of our troubles. He is our salvation. Not only did David realize that this was his God, but he identified himself with those attributes. By saying “I” and “my” before each name he gave to God, David was saying that it was not enough for him to know that God was those things. Instead, David laid claim to them, stating “this is MY God.” “This is who I serve.” David knew that God is a personal and relational God, and he identified himself as being a child of God, protected under His blessings.
Because of who God is, David knew that he would not be shaken. Though different trials would come against him, he knew that there was nothing that could separate him from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).
Reflect on why your soul finds rest in God
Are you facing circumstances right now that you don’t know how you will get out of (Matthew 10:28-31)? What does the Bible say about where your trust is found (Proverbs 3:5-6)? Where is your refuge (Psalm 9:9)? Where do you find your stability (Psalm 37:23-24)? What attributes of God do you identify with (Psalm 18:2)?
Trusting in God through difficult times (V. 3-4)
Even though David knows that his salvation is found in God, he still has enemies. David does not ignore the problems that he is facing. He challenges them head-on. Here, he asks the question of “how long?”. His son has been pursuing him to get the throne. How long will this go on? He doesn’t know where he can safely go. How long will this continue?
Have you ever felt that way? Have you been stuck in a situation that doesn’t seem to end, and you ask yourself “How much longer will I have to endure this?” There is nothing wrong with feeling those emotions, and there is nothing wrong with crying out to God with your pain. David did. But David didn’t allow himself to stay in that pain. He leaned on God, his hope and salvation.
Here, David asks the question of “how long” knowing that God had already won the battle. He almost asked in bewilderment because he knew that the battle was already won.
The Pulpit Commentary says it like this: “They have no other thought but this – to cast me down from my high station. While I have no other thought but to trust in God, and to look to him for support and protection.” David could say that his soul finds rest in God because he looked only to God for protection.
Reflect on trusting in God through difficult times
Do you know that God hears you when you call out to Him (Psalm 4:1-3)? Where do you look for protection (Isaiah 41:10)? Who do you turn to when you are in trouble (Psalm 46:1)?
Growing confidence when your soul finds rest in God alone (V. 5-7)
Again, David repeats the line that his soul finds rest in God alone. But here there is one small difference. At the beginning of this Psalm, David was speaking in the present tense. He said, “Truly, my soul finds rest in God alone.” In this section, David is speaking to his soul, commanding it to find rest in God. Here, he is reminding himself to remain in a place of quiet surrender to God.
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It is not enough to passively wait on God, being content that your faith in the past will get you through present and future struggles. Faith must be active. We must continuously remind ourselves where our hope comes from. We need to actively pursue God and find our rest in Him.
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Perhaps this is why David replaces “salvation” in V. 1 with “hope” in V. 5. The God who promised salvation in the past is the same God who we hope in for the future, eagerly expecting to see His promises fulfilled.
Another small difference between this section and the beginning is the growing confidence David displays in the fact that he will not be shaken. In V. 2, David writes that he will not be greatly moved. No matter what his enemies may do to him, he will remain steady. In V. 6, he writes that he will not be moved. The small modifier “greatly” is missing in the repeated refrain as David grows more secure in the presence of God.
Reflect on growing confidence when your soul finds rest in God
Do you need to remind yourself that your soul finds rest in God alone (Lamentations 3:21-23)? What is your response to finding your hope in God alone (Psalm 95:1)? Where is your confidence (Jeremiah 17:7)?
God is trustworthy (V. 8)
After repeating that his soul finds rest in God alone, David turns his reflections onto others. He exhorts us to trust in God at all times because he has found God trustworthy in his own life. Because David has experienced the protection, peace, and rest that can only come from God, he wants to share that with others.
David also encourages us to pour our hearts out to God. God does not just want our praise and adoration, but he also desires to be the one we run to with our pain and suffering. David was a man after God’s own heart who went to Him with everything. That is why he encourages us to bring our joys and sorrows, fears, doubt, trust to God, letting all of our emotions flow our as water before Him. God cares about you and wants you to share every part of yourself with Him.
Reflect on the trustworthiness of God in your own life
How do you know that God is trustworthy among current troubles (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)? Do you pour out yourself to God (Psalm 42:4)?
The frailty of man (V. 9-10)
Now David reflects on why it is important to trust in God alone. He says that men with little resources are but a breath – they are here today and gone tomorrow. But men with vast resources are a lie – they may promise you the world, yet they have no intention of following through. The one person who is worthy of having our trust is God. What He promises, He will deliver. The lowborn and the highborn; they are nothing. They have no substance worthy of trust. Only God has proven Himself over and over as one who can be trusted.
Soul finds rest in God’s power and mercy (V. 11-12)
Finally, David closed his Psalm with two great attributes of God: His power and loving-kindness. David knew that all power belonged to God, so he did not try to look for it elsewhere. God alone has the power to save. He alone has all power over life and death. But God is so much more than jut his power, which is why David also speaks of his mercy.
The word for mercy in this verse is חֶסֶד (ḥeseḏ), and it’s used to describe God’s extended favor on us. This is his loving-kindness, His mercy, goodness, and faithfulness for those who are undeserving. It is His covenant-keeping and steadfast love for His children.
Reflect on finding rest in God’s power and mercy
Who is the source of your strength (Psalm 27:1)? How do you see God’s power (Psalm 147:4-5)? Where have you seen God’s loving-kindness (Exodus 34:6)?
How your soul can find rest in God today
Hopefully you’ve now discovered what king David discovered so long ago: the profound truth that our soul finds rest in God alone. In a world filled with chaos, uncertainties, and relentless pursuits, it’s easy to become weary and burdened. Yet, like David, we’re invited to find solace and tranquility in the steadfast presence of our Creator.
Please do not merely contemplate this truth, but actively embrace it in your daily life. Anytime you start to feel overwhelmed, go to God and seek His peace and rest. Take time to reflect on this Psalm. Pause, pray, and surrender all you are to the One who offers unwavering refuge and peace. Embrace the reality that true rest is found not in fleeting circumstances or human endeavors but in the enduring love and faithfulness of our Heavenly Father.
As you go about your days, echo David’s declaration. Commanding your soul to find rest in God amidst life’s storms. Daily choose to trust, to abide, and to find your ultimate rest in God alone.
If you’ve enjoyed this Bible study on what it means when your soul finds rest in God alone, you may enjoy listening to Psalm 62 hymn by Stuart Townsend and Aaron Keyes, and Only in God by Laura Huval.
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