The Rock Beneath the Weary Shepherd

A Reflection on Psalm 62

May 29th, 2025

By: Zach Watson, Founder and Director of Refresh-Restore Ministries

Finding Refuge

This morning, I opened my Bible to Psalm 62 and lingered longer than expected. Before even reaching the first verse, the superscription caught my eye: “To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.” Some believe Jeduthun was a Levitical choir leader; others suggest it was a musical style or a worship tradition. The scholars may not agree on the tune—but the truth of the psalm is unmistakable: our rest must be in God alone.

From fifteen years of pastoral experience, I know how quickly the pressures mount. Expectations rise. Criticism stings. The weight of souls can feel heavier than our hearts can hold. And in those moments, Psalm 62 is more than ancient poetry—it’s a lifeline.

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” (Psalm 62:1)

One moment from earlier in my ministry comes to mind. I was sitting in my office as a single-staff pastor, laboring over a sermon and working my way through a passage—Bible open, heart already heavy—when the office door swung open. A frustrated, sparsely attending church member stepped in unannounced and launched into a one-sided, heated conversation. It became increasingly clear that I was ill-equipped in myself to handle his barrage of complaints—most of which were misinformed yet deeply felt by him. The issue? Not even worth revisiting. But the feelings of unrest it stirred in me left a mark. I remember sitting in the aftermath of that moment, discouraged and uncertain. I reached out to a wise, older pastor I trusted, and after patiently listening, he gently but firmly said,

“If you keep trying to carry this alone, it will crush you.”

Those words pierced deeper than the criticism I had received. They became a turning point.

That moment—and that counsel—reminded me of something I still haven’t fully mastered: rest in ministry can only come from trusting in God alone. Not in the approval of people. Not in perfect sermons. Not in packed rooms or quiet office hours. But in God—my rock, my salvation, my refuge.

David doesn’t deny the presence of enemies or burdens. But he refuses to be defined by them. You may not hear applause. You may be worn thin from sowing where you don’t see fruit. But hear this: your rest, your strength, and your hope are not found in outcomes. They are found in God alone. He is your refuge. He is your reward.

Brian Croft, in Practical Shepherding, puts it simply:

"Pastor, your faithfulness is not measured by how big your church is or how many books you’ve written. It’s measured by your trust in Christ and your faithfulness to His Word, one ordinary day at a time." So, wait on God. Preach faithfully. Love your people well. And don’t let the noise around you drown out the quiet truth of Psalm 62: God alone is your salvation.

A Word to the Weary Shepherd: Take Refuge Today

You don’t have to prove yourself this week. You don’t have to perform for your worth. You don’t need a packed room, perfect sermon, or problem-free church to know that God is pleased with you. What you need—what your soul desperately longs for—is stillness in the presence of God.

Here’s a simple challenge: before the day runs away with you, take ten quiet minutes and read Psalm 62. Not for sermon prep. Not for social media. Just for you. Read it slowly. Pray through each line. Let the words reach the places your schedule can’t touch. Then, do one more thing. Reach out to another pastor who may be walking through the same silent struggles. Share this post. Send a text. Offer a prayer. Pastors need pastors. Shepherds need shepherds. And God, in His mercy, has not only given us His Word—He’s given us one another.

The melody of Psalm 62 may be forgotten, but its message still sings: God alone is our salvation, our rock, our refuge—and He will not fail us.

He's hiding my soul in the cleft of the rock

That shadows a dry, thirsty land;

He's hiding my life in the depths of his love

And cov'ring me there with his hand,

And cov'ring me there with his hand. - Fanny Crosby, He Hideth My Soul

Grace and peace,

Zach Watson

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