NOTES for Psa 62:11

Speaking of power, the author of the psalm mentions that it is "with God." He says that he has heard something like this from God more than once. The poetic expression "once God has spoken, twice have I heard" must not mislead us: this idiom means that God has said something like this to the psalmist more than once.

It would seem to be an obvious statement, and every believer will agree with it. In practice, however, everything turns out not to be so simple. The fallen person is used to feeling himself, if not self-sufficient, then at least an autonomous being. He is used to relying first of all on himself, then on other people, if of course there is someone to help, and only then on God. Then, when there is no one and nothing else to rely on or count on. And it must be admitted that such a perception of oneself and God is quite universal.

Representatives of those primitive tribes where residual monotheism still remains also do not strive to turn to God for every occasion. They prefer communication with other gods and spirits, and they turn to God when there is no other way out. Their prayer in such a case sounds approximately like this: O Great Spirit, we turned to everyone and no one helped us; now we turn to You for help, because there is no one else.

Such a prayer might seem amusing if we ourselves did not turn to God in exactly the same way, even if we do not formulate it in words. This is understandable: to acknowledge that every power of every kind is with God means also to acknowledge our dependence on Him. Complete and unconditional dependence. And the fallen person is afraid to acknowledge such dependence. On anyone. Even on God. Too rich and extensive a negative experience is connected with the very concept of dependence for the fallen person. It is hard for us to imagine that the one on whom we completely depend will not take advantage of it. Will not begin manipulating us. In theory, of course, we know perfectly well that God is not like that and will never do anything of the sort.

But it is very hard for us to understand this, and still more to become aware of it in all its fullness: the whole experience of life in the fallen world contradicts such awareness. Therefore we are very reluctant to acknowledge the obvious: our very existence precisely as human beings, and not simply as one more species of primates, depends wholly and completely on God's presence. On the breath of life that He gave us and without which we would not be human. On His nearness, which is revealed also as power. On a nearness given to us freely, which demands nothing in return except love. A love that is saving first of all for us ourselves.