PSALM 62

Ps 62:1-12. To Jeduthun-(See on [603]Ps 39:1, title). The general tone of this Psalm is expressive of confidence in God. Occasion is taken to remind the wicked of their sin, their ruin, and their meanness.

1. waiteth-literally, "is silent," trusts submissively and confidently as a servant.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

2. The titles applied to God often occur (Ps 9:9; 18:2).

be greatly moved-(Ps 10:6). No injury shall be permanent, though devised by enemies.

3 How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

3. Their destruction will come; as a tottering wall they already are feeble and failing.

bowing wall shall ye be-better supply "are." Some propose to apply these phrases to describe the condition of "a man"-that is, the pious suffer: thus, "Will ye slay him," &c.; but the other is a good sense.

4 They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

4. his excellency-or, elevation to which God had raised him (Ps 4:2). This they try to do by lies and duplicity (Ps 5:9).

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

5, 6. (Compare Ps 62:1, 2).

6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

6. not be moved-not at all; his confidence has increased.

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

7. rock of my strength-or strongest support (Ps 7:10; 61:3).

8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

8. pour out your heart-give full expression to feeling (1Sa 1:15; Job 30:16; Ps 42:4).

ye people-God's people.

9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

9. No kind of men are reliable, compared with God (Isa 2:22; Jer 17:5).

altogether-alike, one as the other (Ps 34:3).

10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

10. Not only are oppression and robbery, which are wicked means of wealth, no grounds of boasting; but even wealth, increasing lawfully, ought not to engross the heart.

11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

11. once; twice-(as in Job 33:14; 40:5), are used to give emphasis to the sentiment. God's power is tempered by His mercy, which it also sustains.

12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

12. for thou renderest-literally, "that Thou renderest," &c., connected with "I heard this," as the phrase-"that power," &c. [Ps 62:11]-teaching that by His power He can show both mercy and justice.