Jehovah’s servants can meet tests of faith with endurance because God is their Refuge and Deliverer. How well this is shown in Book Two of the Psalms! Yes, Psalms 42 to 72 prove that we can endure if we prayerfully wait for Jehovah to act in our behalf.

“Wait for God”

Please read Psalms 42 to 45. An exiled Levite is sad that he cannot go to Jehovah’s sanctuary, but he is content to “wait for God” to act as his Deliverer. (Psalms 42, 43)

Lesson for Us: Psalm 46 would fit the time when Jerusalem was threatened by the Assyrians. Knowing that ‘God is a refuge, a help readily found during distresses,’ King Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah, and the city was miraculously delivered. (2 Kings, chapter 19) When in distress we, too, should make God our Refuge. How? By trusting in him, adhering to his Word, and sticking to his organization.

Deliverance Assured

Read Psalms 52 to 57. God will root a bad person ‘out of the land of the living’ and will “scatter the bones” of anyone opposing His people. (Psalms 52, 53) When hunted by Saul, David was confident about divine deliverance, and as a victim of treachery, he threw his burden upon Jehovah. (Psalms 54, 55) The psalmist was content to wait for God to end adversities.​—Psalms 56, 57.

◆ 52:8​—How is the righteous one like an olive tree?

An olive tree can symbolize fruitfulness, beauty, and dignity. (Jeremiah 11:16; Hosea 14:6) In this psalm, the wicked schemer who will come to a bad end is contrasted with the righteous person who is protected and prospers like a luxuriant olive tree.

◆ 54:1​—Why did David say, “By your name save me”?

The divine name has no mystical powers but can represent God himself. Hence, by this plea, David acknowledged that Jehovah is capable of saving His people. (Exodus 6:1-8) Though the Ziphites revealed David’s whereabouts to King Saul, a Philistine invasion of Israel cut short Saul’s hunt for David. (1 Samuel 23:13-29; Psalm 54, superscription) Thus Jehovah did save David.

Lesson for Us: David’s foes had excavated a pitfall before him. (Psalm 57:6) Such a pit for trapping a human would denote perilous circumstances or intrigues endangering Jehovah’s servants. But opposers of God’s people can be trapped by their own evil schemes. So if we rely upon Jehovah and exercise caution, our deliverance is assured.​—Proverbs 11:21; 26:27.

Lesson for Us: David was content to “wait silently” for God to act in his behalf. (Psalm 62:1-7) Having submitted to Jehovah’s will, he felt secure and had quiet confidence in God. If we have such trust in Jehovah, “the peace of God” will guard our hearts and mental powers while we await divine deliverance from foes and tribulations.​—Philippians 4:6, 7; Psalm 33:20.

Praise Our Deliverer

Read Psalms 65 to 72. Jehovah is praised as the Source of abundant crops, copious showers, lush pastures, and teeming flocks. (Psalm 65) Melody ought to be made “to the glory of his name.” (Psalm 66) He should be lauded, and he is praised as “a God of saving acts.” (Psalms 67, 68) Sufferings of the Messiah are foretold, and Jehovah is extolled as “the Provider of escape” for whose help the psalmist will wait. (Psalms 69-71) Such trust will be rewarded, for earth-wide prosperity and deliverance from oppression are assured during the Messiah’s blessed reign.​—Psalm 72.