“My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken…. My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken… Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psa 62:1–2, 5–6, 8).
There is a word in Psalm 62 which appears at the beginning of six verses. But for those who cannot read Hebrew, this key word often goes unnoticed because most English versions do not translate it. It is the word “ach,” which can mean “surely,” “only,” or “but,” depending on the context. In Biblical Hebrew, “ach” is an affirmative emphasizing particle (see HALOT). It appears in verses 1–2, 4–6, and 9.
Powerfully preaching the good news to others means first powerfully preaching the good news to ourselves.
What is the function of this untranslated word? The answer may be seen in the significant change between verses 1 and 5. David begins with the affirmation, “Surely my soul waits in silence for God” (v. 1). Later, however, the affirmation becomes a command: “But, O my soul, wait in silence for God” (v. 5). In Psalm 62, David uses the word “ach” to persuade himself to trust God in the face of threats against his life (vv. 3–4). The “surelies” and “buts” at the beginning of these verses are part of David’s strategy to persuade himself first (v. 5), and then God’s people (v. 8), to stop fearing people and start trusting God.
Herein lies one of the most important lessons in effective and persuasive communication. We will never convince others that God is an all–powerful, trustworthy refuge (see vv. 2, 6–8), the source of salvation (v. 1) and hope (v. 5), until we first convince ourselves. In other words, powerfully preaching the good news to others means first powerfully preaching the good news to ourselves.
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psa 42:5).
