This psalm has a single, simple theme — trust in God. That theme is developed mainly in a positive direction. The writer gives us several reasons for trusting in God. But there is also a bit of a negative side to it, a reminder of why we should not trust in two sources of confidence that we might be tempted to turn toward.
People
People cannot be fully trusted. They are unreliable. Neither the rich nor the poor, the nobles nor the commoner can be trusted. “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” (9). One of the most profound things about this psalm is the way the writer convicts all humans of being unreliable, not excluding himself.
Things
Material goods cannot be trusted. They also are unreliable. “Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them” (10). What will it take to make us realize that there is no lasting security in material goods? At times one wonders if we need another depression, yet it is doubtful that even that would cure our materialism.
That the world behaves as if money is security should be no surprise. But it is disappointing that even Christians depend on materialism and even teach it to their children.
Only the Lord
We should not trust people. We should not trust material goods. But in what should we trust?
Only the Lord is to be fully trusted. This is the main theme of the psalm. Often some exclusive term is used. We should trust God “alone” or “only” (1, 2, 5, 6). But even where this exclusivism is not stated it is clearly in mind. Verse seven is a good example. “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”
Our trust in the Lord must be expressed. By pouring out our hearts to him and waiting for his response we show our trust. “O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (8).
Our trust in the Lord is not just a blind faith. It must be grounded in a knowledge of his nature. He is powerful and he is faithfully compassionate (11-12).
Do we trust?
Of course, we claim to have faith. We claim to trust the Lord. But what do we look like to our neighbours? Do we appear to our friends, our neighbours, our family, as people who trust in God rather than in things and in other people? Or do we appear to be different from them only regarding some of our habits? Do we appear as those who don’t smoke, drink, or dance, but otherwise are pretty much like others — relying on materialism for our security? Do we appear, worse yet, as those who trust in their own righteousness?
Are we trusting as the world trusts, or are we trusting in God? It is a painful question. Can we really say, “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken”?