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This IMPERFECT PARALLEL SYMMETRY is an call to trust God in providing His strength to overcome man′s wickedness.
1) The FIRST/FIRST are two nearly identical A elements. More than just a mere repetition of words, they point to an echo of God′s spoken word: wait silently. To David, he is attesting to his God, his rock, and the Lord′s help in perfect timing. The ABSENCE of the A′′ element seems to model the silent wait that is described in A and A′. The lack of scripture text represents that patient wait for the Lord.
2) The three B CORRESPONDING ELEMENTS present a CONTRAST between David′s reliance on God in B′ and most men′s reliance on their own means of their provision (B and B′′): defeat of others, lies, anger, etc.
3) Similarly for the LAST/LAST elements, there is a CONTRAST between David′s trust/hope in God in C′ and those things from his enemy in C and C′′ that are untrustworthy wicked ways.
4) The CLOSING SUMMARY attests to the Lord′s power and lovingkindness. He will judge us for what we have done, our works. Verse 12 is cited in Matthew 16:27. The Son of Man … ″Will then repay every man according to his deeds.″ Show More Rhetoric Show Less Rhetoric
PARALLEL SYMMETRY (IMPERFECT):
... trust in God, not man, and wait silently for Him ...
a title
BEGINNING MARKER: For the choir director; according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. (v1A)
wait silently for God to answer
A
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. (v1B,2)
... those who pursue power ...
QUESTION: you pursue power
B
How long will you assail a man, that you may murder him, all of you, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? (v3)
they cannot be trusted: pride, falsehood and curse
C
They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; they delight in falsehood; they bless with their mouth, but inwardly they curse. (v4A)
a poetic marker
SUB-UNIT MARKER: Selah. (v4B)
wait silently for God to answer
A′
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. (v5,6)
... those who trust in God ...
I pursue reliance on God
B′
On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. (v7)
God is trustworthy: a refuge
C′
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. (v8A)
a poetic marker
SUB-UNIT MARKER: Selah. (v8B)
ABSENCE: silently wait for God
A′′
... those who pursue wealth ...
low men pursue wealth and lies
B′′
Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than breath. (v9)
do not trust in that wickedness
C′′
Do not trust in oppression and do not vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. (v10)
CLOSING SUMMARY: the Lord will repay us for our works
SUM
Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God; And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord, for You recompense a man according to his work. (v11,12)