Psalms 61–62 (Listen)

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

61:1   Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
2   from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
  Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
3   for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.
4   Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5   For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6   Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
7   May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8   So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

My Soul Waits for God Alone

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62:1   For God alone my soul waits in silence;
    from him comes my salvation.
2   He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3   How long will all of you attack a man
    to batter him,
    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4   They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
    They take pleasure in falsehood.
  They bless with their mouths,
    but inwardly they curse. Selah
5   For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
6   He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7   On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8   Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us. Selah
9   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.
10   Put no trust in extortion;
    set no vain hopes on robbery;
    if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11   Once God has spoken;
    twice have I heard this:
  that power belongs to God,
12     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
  For you will render to a man
    according to his work.

(ESV)

61 The faint hearted psalmist beckons help from “the rock that is higher than I.” Perhaps this was written on the run from his self-appointed king/son. Exiled from his throne, yet his confidence is ever in the Most High. How many times has He delivered? How great the refuge under His wings? ! The strong tower of hope is David’s heritage. In 3rd person he pled for the King’s eternality, upheld and enthroned in His steadfast love and faithfulness.

62 The sermon song declares dependence upon God alone: “I shall not be greatly shaken.”

Enemies abound, ever threatening and false blessing. Lying lips conceal hateful hearts.

Yet again he declares: God is my hope and salvation; stronger still: “I shall not be shaken.”

Having exhorted his own soul, the king proclaimed to his people: “Trust in God at all times!” Here today and gone tomorrow, men of low or high estate offer no hope. How about extortion, robbery or riches? No!

“Power belongs to God!” And He will render according to each man’s work. So labor to trust in His steadfast love!

John 13:18–38 (Listen)

18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled,¹ ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

One of You Will Betray Me

21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side,² 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus³ of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

A New Commandment

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

(ESV)

The words of Christ made clear: Judas is no accident. Jesus knows whom He has chosen. He informs the disciples that they might believe when His bloodshed they see confuses their faith. “I thought He would live forever.” Indeed, but that we might as well, His life must be laid down. The Most High instructs Satan: “Do quickly.” Little did the apostles realize how right they were: truly the betrayer went out to “buy what was needed for the feast”: the lifeblood of the Passover Lamb, “something to give to the poor.” “While it is day we must do the work He sent Me to do.” But now, “it was night.” But also “now is the Son of Man glorified.” Even and especially in the hours of darkness ahead — as He went where they could not follow (for now)—His own will be known by His love for Him and for one another. This lesson in love would prove hardest for Peter, but with the help of an appointed rooster and bitter tears of reality and repentance, he would be restored by his Shepherd to feed His sheep.