Psalm 62

What Psalm 62 means

The word only runs through this psalm. He only is my rock, wait thou only upon God, and the enemies only consult to cast him down. David has narrowed his trust to one place, and that is where his calm comes from.

Verses 1-2 and 5-6 are nearly a refrain. In the first, David says he shall not be greatly moved; in the second, he shall not be moved at all. Many readers see his confidence growing as he repeats it, the second time spoken to his own soul as a command: My soul, wait thou only upon God.

In verse 8 David turns from himself to the people. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Waiting quietly on God does not mean hiding feelings from him. It means bringing them all to him.

Verses 9-10 name the false places to rest. Men of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lie; weighed in the balance, both are lighter than vanity. Oppression and robbery will not hold, and if riches increase, the heart should not be set on them.

The psalm ends with a pair: power belongeth unto God, and mercy also belongs to him. He renders to every man according to his work. God is strong enough to be trusted and merciful enough to be approached.

Background and context

The superscription reads: To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Jeduthun was one of the leaders of music David appointed for worship (1 Chronicles 25:1).

The psalm does not name an occasion. Its picture of enemies who bless with their mouth but curse inwardly is often linked to times of betrayal in David's life, such as Absalom's revolt, but that is a guess, not something the text says.

Key verses

Cross references

• Psalm 18:2 David again calls the LORD his rock, fortress and salvationThe LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
• Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for himRest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
• Lamentations 3:25-26 It is good to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORDThe LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
• Psalm 39:5 Every man at his best state is altogether vanity, as in verse 9Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
• 1 Timothy 6:17 The rich are told not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living GodCharge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
• Romans 2:6 God will render to every man according to his deeds, echoing verse 12Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
• Matthew 16:27 The Son of man will reward every man according to his worksFor the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.