My Soul Waits for God Alone

That's the chapter heading for Psalm 62 in the English Standard Version.

What does that mean?

What does it mean to wait for God alone? For no one else. For nothing else. But God alone?

The psalm begins:
"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken." (vs 1-2)

Then a few verses later:
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my might rock, my refuge is God." (vs 4-7)

In between David tells of being attacked by men, who would glory in his downfall (vs 3-4).

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath" (v 9). There's no sense in trusting others to deliver you. Whether they are of high or low estate, they have no weight, no value.

"Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them" (v 10). Don't wait for the pay raise. Don't wait to win the lottery. Don't wait for that inheritance. Don't wait for that financial breakthrough. Riches won't deliver you.

"Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work" (vs 11-12).

We wait for someone or something more powerful to deliver us from physical pain, or financial difficulties. There is no one who can do that. Only God is powerful.

We wait for someone to come along to love us, to heal our wounds, to give us companionship. There is no one who can do that. Only God loves without fail.

David's instruction is in the middle of the psalm: "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah" (v 8).

My soul waits for God alone. I'm putting my trust in no one else to meet my needs. I'm not looking for anyone else to heal my wounds. I'm not looking for anyone else to fill the void in my life.

He alone can do that. To look anywhere else is foolishness.