Psalm chapter 62
English Standard Version
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah 5For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah 9 Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
New International Version
2Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 3How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. 5Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. 9Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
10Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: "Power belongs to you, God, 12and with you, Lord, is unfailing love"; and, "You reward everyone according to what they have done."
New American Standard Bible
1 My soul waits in silence for God alone; From Him comes my salvation. 2He alone is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I will not be greatly shaken. 3How long will you attack a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? 4They have planned only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse. Selah 5My soul, wait in silence for God alone, For my hope is from Him. 6He alone is my rock and my salvation, My refuge; I will not be shaken. 7My salvation and my glory rest on God; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. 8Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah 9People of low standing are only breath, and people of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up. Together they are lighter than breath. 10Do not trust in oppression, And do not vainly rely on robbery; If wealth increases, do not set your heart on it. 11God has spoken once; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God; 12And faithfulness is Yours, Lord, For You reward a person according to his work.
Christian Standard Bible
2He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. 3How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering fence?
4They only plan to bring him down from his high position. They take pleasure in lying; they bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly. Selah 5Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. 6He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. 7My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God.
New Living Translation
1I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. 2He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.} Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. 2He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. 3How long will you attack a man? You shall be slain, all of you, Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
5My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. 6He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.
9 Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor. 10Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them. 11God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. 12Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
What does Psalm chapter 62 mean?
This psalm reiterates the idea of confidence in God: that He alone is a perfect anchor point for trust and faith. No particular event in David's life is tied to this song. The song is connected to the name Jeduthun, possibly the title of a melody. Psalms 39 and 77 also mention Jeduthun. This was also the name of a musician active in the temple during David's life (1 Chronicles 16:41–42).Rather than being agitated, or enraged, David can be calm and spiritually relaxed, because of his trust in God. David compares the Lord to a "rock:" a symbol of perfect strength and stability (Luke 6:48). Relying on other sources of power is an uncertain risk. Because David ties his confidence to God, he expects not to be disappointed (Psalm 62:1–2).
David's enemies use lies and other attacks against him. They may seek to remove him from the throne, or simply to ruin his life and reputation. These men strike the way someone might smash into a leaning wall or a toppling fence. If the structure is weak, such attacks can destroy the defenses and leave an area open for attack. David's enemies are also two-faced, saying positive things while planning evil (Psalm 62:3–4).
Because he knows the Lord is unchanging, all-powerful, and trustworthy, David calls on others to imitate his faith. This stanza repeats descriptions of God as a stable, immovable foundation. David also reiterates that God is the source of his confidence. He encourages sincere, unreserved faith in the Lord, who acts in the best interests of His people (Psalm 62:5–8).
The psalm ends with contrast. Where God is perfectly stable and powerful, human beings and our schemes are powerless. Whether rich or poor, the influence of human lives is literally nothing next to the supremacy of the Lord. Overdependence on wealth is foolish (Luke 12:20), as is trust in human plotting (Psalm 62:9–10).
David ends by insisting that ultimate power belongs only to God. This gives the Lord both power and authority to judge all people for their choices (Revelation 20:12–13). Thankfully, God also exhibits enduring, merciful love for those who follow Him (John 3:16–18). David's relaxed confidence comes from his trust that God sees and judges all things (Psalm 62:11–12).
