For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
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
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah
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.
Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.
Responding to false accusations.
King David here responds to slanderous assaults made against him from those who have plotted against him. David has been assailed by people who are plotting together to take him down, perhaps the family of Saul or else his own son Absalom. The conspirators have fabricated and spread lies about him. They alleged that they are stronger than he for he and that he lacks the strength and courage to stand against them. David asserts here that his true power comes from the Lord and not from himself. These men who conspire against him are really rebelling against the Lord and headed for destruction.
Often the Church is assailed by people who say bad things about us or slander us and our reputation with lies, or who denigrate our Biblical principles. The way the world responds to accusations and slander is with threats and violence in response to harsh criticism even when such criticism is true. But this not the way Jesus has taught us. When maligned and vilified, we must look to the Lord as our source of strength, the rock of our salvation on whom we can stand without being unnerved by the lies and invective that sweep against us like a flood. Then we realize then we do not have to respond for God is in control. He sees the truth and acts accordingly. Those who trust in things such as riches, prosperity, fame, people, self, or power think they can say all they want against us. What they have, what they possess, their fame and celebrity defines who they are and they think it makes them better then everyone else especially us poor Christians. All such human ideas of what is noteworthy and strong will fall apart. All deeds done for self or for the applause of men will not stand in heaven. Only that which is done for the Lord will stand for eternity. Everything else is trash.