The sermon titled "The Blessed Only Psalm" by Tom Harding centers on the theological theme of Christ as the only source of salvation, elaborated through a detailed examination of Psalm 62. Harding emphasizes the repetition of the word "only" throughout the Psalm to highlight the exclusivity of God as the sole object of faith and trust. He discusses how verses one and five express a profound acknowledgment of waiting upon God alone for salvation, linking this to the broader Messianic interpretation of the Psalms as foretelling Christ (Luke 24:44). By analyzing sections of the Psalm, he argues for the significance of Christ's sufficiency as the foundation of salvation and the believer's security in Him, drawing upon other Scriptures such as Psalm 18 and Romans 8 to affirm God's sovereignty and mercy as well as Christ's role as the believer's advocate. The practical significance of this teaching encourages believers to trust solely in Christ in all aspects of life and to recognize the futility of trusting in human power or riches.
Key Quotes
“There's just one way of salvation. There's only one savior. There's only one righteousness. There's only one way God saves sinners. Only one.”
“He's my rock. He's my salvation. He's my defense. I shall not be greatly moved.”
“Trust in Him at all times, ye people. Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.”
“The believer trusting Christ can never be disowned as a son of God, can never perish, can never be removed from Him because we're one with Him.”
The Bible teaches that salvation is found only in God and His provision through Christ Jesus.
According to Psalm 62, trusting in God for salvation is foundational for believers. David emphasizes that salvation comes solely from God, which highlights the uniqueness of Christ as the only Savior. This aligns with the teaching in Ephesians 2:8-9, where we learn that it is by grace we have been saved through faith, and this is not from ourselves; it is the gift of God. Additionally, this reflects the Reformed understanding that salvation is solely the work of God, affirming that it’s not dependent on human effort but on divine mercy.
Psalm 62:1-2, Ephesians 2:8-9
Christ is the only foundation because He is our rock, salvation, and righteousness.
Psalm 62 emphasizes that Christ alone is our rock and foundation. In verses 2 and 6, David proclaims that God alone is his salvation and defense. This reflects fundamental Christian theology, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 3:11, which states that 'no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' He alone provides the righteousness we need before God, underscoring the Reformed belief that all aspects of salvation hinge on Christ’s finished work. He is the only one capable of satisfying divine justice and offering true refuge for sinners.
Psalm 62:2-6, 1 Corinthians 3:11
We wait upon God with sincerity of heart and submission to His will.
Psalm 62 teaches that our waiting upon God entails sincerity and silence in our hearts, as expressed in verses 1 and 5. This kind of waiting is not passive; it is an active trust in God’s character and sovereignty, as affirmed in Isaiah 40:31, which says, 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.' In a Reformed context, waiting on God underscores our reliance on His mercy and providence, reminding us that true spiritual strength comes from entrusting ourselves completely to Him while recognizing that all expectation of blessings originates solely from Him.
Psalm 62:1-5, Isaiah 40:31
God's mercy is sovereign because it is His prerogative to show mercy to whom He chooses.
In Psalm 62, we see references to God's mercy as belonging to Him, which reflects the essence of sovereign mercy. This aligns with Romans 9:15, where God declares, 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.' Sovereign mercy emphasizes that salvation and mercy are entirely initiated by God rather than based on human merit or decision. This understanding is central to Reformed theology, affirming that it is God alone who determines the recipients of His grace, and demonstrates that His mercy is not something we can earn but rather a gift freely given according to His divine purpose.
Psalm 62:12, Romans 9:15
Trusting in God at all times means relying on Him regardless of circumstances.
Psalm 62:8 explicitly encourages believers to trust in God at all times, pouring out their hearts before Him. This illustrates the idea that our dependence on God should be continuous, reflecting an unwavering faith even in diverse situations such as prosperity or difficulty, as mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6. From a Reformed perspective, this trust is rooted in the understanding that God is sovereign over every aspect of life and that our security and peace come from our relationship with Him. True faith acknowledges God’s ultimate authority and His providential care, reassuring us that there is no situation too small or too great to bring before Him.
Psalm 62:8, Proverbs 3:5-6
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