Psalms 62:6
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The imagery of God as rock pervades Old Testament theology, appearing in Moses' song (Deuteronomy 32:4), Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2:2), and throughout the Psalter. In ancient Palestine's limestone landscape, rock formations provided literal refuge from enemies and weather. Caves in these rocks sheltered David during his fugitive years (1 Samuel 22:1, 24:3), making this metaphor personally experiential rather than abstract.
The military imagery of fortress and high tower reflected the reality of ancient Near Eastern warfare. Cities built on elevated rocky terrain held enormous strategic advantage—Jerusalem itself sits on Mount Zion, a naturally fortified position. Enemies attacking uphill against well-positioned defenders faced near-impossible odds. David, a military genius, understood that spiritual security in God surpassed even the best natural fortifications.
Israel's history oscillated between trusting God's protection and relying on human alliances. Prophets consistently called the nation back to exclusive dependence on Yahweh rather than Egyptian chariots or Assyrian treaties. This psalm's theology would resonate powerfully during the Babylonian exile when all human defenses failed but God's faithfulness remained.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the metaphors of rock, salvation, and defence collectively address different aspects of human insecurity (foundational stability, current danger, future threats)?
- What is the significance of the progression from 'I shall not be greatly moved' (v.2) to 'I shall not be moved' (v.6) in understanding faith's development?
- In what practical areas of life do we trust in false 'rocks'—things that seem stable but cannot ultimately bear our weight?
- How does Jesus as 'the Rock' (1 Corinthians 10:4) and the 'stone the builders rejected' (Matthew 21:42) fulfill and expand this psalm's imagery?
- What spiritual disciplines or practices help cultivate the kind of unshakeable confidence in God that David expresses here?
Analysis & Commentary
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
This verse parallels verse 2 with a crucial difference: verse 2 says "I shall not be greatly moved," while verse 6 declares absolute immovability—"I shall not be moved." This progression reveals growing faith. The Hebrew for "rock" (tsur) depicts God as a massive cliff or boulder providing shelter and stability. Ancient Near Eastern fortresses were often built on rock formations, making this metaphor visceral for David's audience.
"Salvation" (yeshuah) encompasses deliverance, victory, and wholeness—not merely rescue from danger but comprehensive well-being. "Defence" (misgab) means a high tower or secure height, a place of strategic advantage. Together, these three images (rock, salvation, defence) present God as simultaneously foundation, deliverance, and protection—encompassing past, present, and future security.
The phrase "he only" (ak-hu) again emphasizes exclusive sufficiency. God alone provides what these metaphors describe; no human agency, political alliance, or military strength can substitute. The conclusion "I shall not be moved" (lo emmot) uses a term suggesting shaking or tottering. David's confidence rests not on his own stability but on God's unshakeable nature. When one's foundation is the eternal Rock, circumstances cannot topple the structure built upon it.