**This study originated as one of my school projects**
Introduction
Before I get into this four part study of Psalm 62, I thought it would be a good idea to have a little background information on the psalms. The psalms are divided into five books with each book ending with a benediction: Ps. 1 – 41; 42 – 72; 73 – 89; 90 – 106; 107 – 150. The division probably follows the pattern of the Pentateuch which is divided into 153 sections for reading in the synagogue[1]. I thought that division was rather clever when I first learned of it during my studies. There were six men who wrote the psalms; Moses (Psalm 90), David (73 psalms), Asaph (Psalms 50, 73 – 83), Solomon (Psalms 72, 127), Heman (Psalm 88), and Ethan (Psalm 89).
Psalm 62 is one of the psalms written by David and shows his confidence and trust in God. David also laments about his enemies but because of his confidence, David is able to encourage others to trust in the Lord. Psalm 62 is referred to as a psalm of David. Like many of the psalms, Psalm 62 was intended to be sung to music. David’s musicianship is well attested (1 Sam. 16:17-23; 18:10; 2 Sam. 1:17-27; 3:33f.; 23:1-7; Amos 6:5)[2] so it is quite within his known talents to have written this psalm as a song of praise.
I always enjoy studying about David and his writing in the Bible. We know that David was a man after God’s own heart but it is interesting to me that the historian Josephus even makes mention of the fact that David “never permitted himself to do anything without prophecy, and the command of God, and without depending on him as a security for the time to come[3]”. In fact, Josephus spends a great deal of time discussing events in David’s life. Clearly, not only does scripture tells us much about David and his faith in the Lord but his faith was also known among the people, even those who did not share David’s faith in God.