August 25, 2026

Psalm 61 contains the following in verse 2: "when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I". We all know what it feels like to be overwhelmed, to have a heart troubled by the storms of life. Work and finances, raising children, studying and going to school, worrying about those you love, caring for the sick or stricken, the death of a loved one, losing a job, and so many other trials can cause an overwhelmed heart - a heart that is heavy because it is filled with focus on so many things when it should be focused on One.

Of course, it is necessary to spend focus on these things. The point isn't to ignore them, but rather to bring Christ into them with us. To go to that Rock that is higher than us and find refuge there. Take that heavy, overwhelmed heart, and place it on the alter of the Holy One of Israel, that He may give us a new one.

These things are difficult and can be crippling, but our Savior is willing to share the burden of we put on His yoke. He has redeemed us from death and sin, is He not powerful enough to redeem us from anxiety, stress, and depression? I testify that He is, and He will redeem us. As Hannah said, there is no rock like our God.

Psalm 62 received a lot of highlights this morning. The first thing I notice, of course, is another reference to the Lord as our rock. I love the symbol of the rock.

Shortly after, I noticed a chiasmus-like repetition between verses 1 and 6, and the beautiful part here is that the chiasmus shows how a testimony grows. At first, David says his soul waits on the Lord and he will not be greatly moved. As he goes through trials and enemies, he comes back to waiting on the Lord, but this time said ONLY the Lord. So, now he has no other focus or things to wait on. And finally, again he says "I will not be moved", but this time the word greatly is omitted. Before, he would not be moved too much, now, he will not be moved at all.

Then in verse 8 we read "pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us". Which again, I love the symbol rock and I love it's relation to the heart. This is just another repetition to help us see that God only wants our heart. I used to think "pour out your heart" meant plead greatly with God, and it does, but I now also see it as placing it on His altar. Also, what kind of heart needs to be poured? Probably one that is broken, shattered into pieces, so that it can pour instead of plop.. God is our refuge. Just as we are promised that the garment will be a protection to us against the powers of the destroyer, so is Christa cover and refuge (kofar) unto us.

In continuing with the heart, verse 10 says not to set our hearts on riches. We were just told where to put our heart, and now an additionally warning of where not to set it. The heart is important to God, most important, in fact.

And finally, in verse 12, a nod to God's mercy and his He renders it to every man according to their works. Our works are our covenants. He doesn't show us more mercy just because we went through the steps (though, we are rewarded for obedience). It's the relationship that we form with Christ through our covenants, ratified by ordinances, that bring us close to Him. We experience more of His light with closer proximity. It's not the celestial vending machine where good deeds are currency. Through our works we come to know the Savior, and thus He changes us, gives us a new heart, and enables us to experience His love and mercy far greater than we could at a distance. I love my Savior.