Psalms 62
Old Testament · King James Version
Psalm 62 is a meditation on exclusive trust in God under social pressure. Its repeated rock-and-fortress refrain anchors the speaker while opponents attack and manipulate. The psalm then widens into public instruction: pour out the heart before God, do not absolutize social rank, coercion, or wealth, and remember that power and steadfast love belong to God.
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
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.
They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
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.
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Context
A wisdom-shaped psalm of trust attributed by the superscription to David and associated with Jeduthun. The poem alternates personal confession, description of hostile pressure, communal exhortation, and a closing theological summary about divine power, steadfast love, and accountable judgment.
Themes & application
- Waiting for God alone
- God as rock, salvation, and fortress
- Resistance to manipulation and double speech
- Pouring out the heart before God
- The fragility of social rank
- Warning against oppression, robbery, and wealth-idolatry
- Power joined with steadfast love
- Moral accountability before God
Practice God-centered waiting without confusing trust with passivity; name manipulation without retaliating; pour out distress honestly; use status, money, and authority without treating them as ultimate; and hold power together with steadfast love and accountability.
Key verses
The psalm opens with quiet dependence on God as the source of salvation.
Application: Let prayer and patient trust shape action without abandoning prudent help.
Commonly misread: Waiting on God is not a command to become passive in every practical matter.
God is named rock, salvation, and fortress, giving stability under pressure.
Application: Ground identity in God while taking real danger seriously.
Commonly misread: The verse does not promise emotional or physical immunity.
Personal trust becomes a communal invitation to pour out the heart before God.
Application: Pray honestly and seek trustworthy human support when needed.
Commonly misread: Prayer does not replace appropriate medical, legal, pastoral, or emergency help.
Oppression, robbery, and growing riches are all rejected as ultimate sources of security.
Application: Use money responsibly without placing the heart in wealth or unjust gain.
Commonly misread: The verse does not teach that money itself is evil.
Power belongs ultimately to God.
Application: Exercise any human authority as limited, accountable, and never absolute.
Commonly misread: The verse does not erase every legitimate use of delegated authority.
God’s steadfast love and moral judgment are held together at the close.
Application: Take conduct seriously while reading judgment within the Bible’s wider teaching on grace and mercy.
Commonly misread: The verse does not teach that salvation is mechanically earned by good works.
Common misreadings of Psalms 62
Misreading: Psalm 62 teaches passivity, contempt for people, rejection of all wealth, or unquestionable human authority in God’s name.
In context: The psalm calls for ultimate trust in God while condemning predatory pressure, deception, oppression, robbery, wealth-idolatry, and false human ultimacy. It does not forbid prudent action, responsible possessions, lawful accountability, or needed support.
Cross-references
- Psalm 61:2–4 — Related rock, refuge, and shelter imagery.
- Psalm 46:1–3 — God as refuge amid instability.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 — A later warning not to set hope on uncertain riches.
Frequently asked questions about Psalms 62
What is the main message of Psalm 62?
What does it mean to wait silently for God?
What does Psalm 62 say about money?
How are power and steadfast love connected in Psalm 62?
Sources & editorial notes
- Translation
- Commentary anchored in the public-domain Psalm 62 text used by the site (en).
- Authorship
- The superscription associates the psalm with David and Jeduthun; the commentary does not infer an unmentioned historical incident.
- Editorial process
- Chapter-specific synthesis checked against Psalm 62’s repeated trust refrain, social critique, wealth warning, and closing confession about power and steadfast love.
References
- Psalm 62 — Primary text and literary movement.
- Psalm 61:2–4; Psalm 46:1–3; 1 Timothy 6:17 — Biblical parallels for refuge and warning against misplaced trust in wealth.
Author: The Lord Will Editorial Team · Reviewed by: Ugo Candido · Updated: 2026-08-17