Silence can speak louder than words: On Psalm 62

We sometimes talk about “silent” prayer, referring through this expression to prayers which we say by ourselves, in our thoughts.

It would seem strange and even embarrassing, we think, if someone would ask us to pray silence. Prayer, we assume is about “words,” it has to do with “talking."

Compare with this the well-known Psalm 65 which which is mostly translated as, “Praise is due to you, O God.” This translation reveals the prejudice against silence, especially in prayers. Literally the verse reads: "There will be silence before You, O God.” Or: “You are praised with silence in Zion, O God.” (GWT).

Here the Psalmist speaks about silent prayer in the sense of praying silence, or, worshipping God with silence.

Compare with this also Psalm 62 on the silent waiting on God:

My soul waiteth in silence for God only: 2 He only is my rock and my salvation: 3 How long will ye set upon a man, 4 They only consult to thrust him down from his dignity; 5 My soul, wait thou in silence for God only; 6 He only is my rock and my salvation: 7 With God is my salvation and my glory.


Compare this with Psalm 131 (cf my previous blogs) where the Psalmist calmed and quieted his soul, "like a weaned child with its mother." In both these Psalms silence is the desire of the Psalmist. And, indeed, how necessary is it to calm one’s soul in the light of our busy thoughts and feelings so that one can focus on speaking to God.

When we pray, we often struggle to find inner peace and to focus on our prayers. As we pray we think about many other things than our relationship with God and our prayer. Our problems, anxieties, thoughts of the day keep us busy even in times of reflection and meditation. These are the things, the "vanities" which the Psalmist wishes to leave behind in Psalm 131. He brings himself to silence, to the quiet understanding that it is good to be with God.

It implies also that one does not have to speak when in the divine presence. One can be like the little baby who is at peace with the one who fed her or him. One becomes quiet and realises one can remain quiet, silent and in peace in the divine presence.

But here we should think deeper: when my soul is quiet and at peace, when I feel no need to speak, when the vanities have been abandoned, silence has come to me in a deeper manner. Then one is still unto God (not before God). Then we realize that we are in the presence of God who transcends all understanding and all words. It is a moment when we can discover that our words, human words do not help us to reach God. We receive the grace to rest in God's grace, beyond our human attempts to grasp God.

It is also the time to reflect on the deepest of mysteries: Not only is God in any case ineffable, beyond human words, but long before we have spoken, God has reached out to us, yearning to relate to us in love.

Why should I be caught up in my language, my words when God knows, long before I have spoken, the deepest desires and thoughts of my heart? My silence can speak a thousand words, can speak the deepest of mysteries. It can talk loudly of my complete, wordless trust in the mercy of the God of all things.

It is not what we say in prayer which establishes a relationship with God. God has embraced me as loving Father, long before I could recite my little speeches which I have prepared so carefully on my way home. God is there, my rock, my salvation, the power in my life.

Not my words, but my openness for God’s reaching out to me, is what really matters. The prayer of silence unto God, without words, talking, chatting, loaded with the silence of trust and peace, reflects the conviction that no language or words can explain God or can even establish being with God. It may just be that our silence of yearning and desire to be with God will make us deeper aware of the mystical nearness of God.

There is a parallel: often, in times we share with our families, we speak much. When we meet after times of absence, there is much to talk about, to share. We tell many stories and share many thoughts. But then, after a while, we fall silent. We even feel the need not to talk much, but just be with each other. Then we enjoy each other’s presence. There are not many words, but there are feelings of joy, warmth and appreciation. These are times of peace. These quiet times are filled. They overflow with love. And what is true in our everyday lives, is also true of our relationship with God. Love speaks in words, but can do so even more in silence.