Psalms Chapter 62

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 12 Verses

What is Psalms 62 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1My soul waiteth in silence for God only: From him [cometh] my salvation.
2He only is my rock and my salvation: [He is] my high tower; I shall not be greatly moved.
3How long will ye set upon a man, That ye may slay [him], all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
4They only consult to thrust him down from his dignity; They delight in lies; They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah
5My soul, wait thou in silence for God only; For my expectation is from him.
6He only is my rock and my salvation: [He is] my high tower; I shall not be moved.
7With God is my salvation and my glory: The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8Trust in him at all times, ye people; Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah
9Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: In the balances they will go up; They are together lighter than vanity.
10Trust not in oppression, And become not vain in robbery: If riches increase, set not your heart [thereon].
11God hath spoken once, Twice have I heard this, That power belongeth unto God.
12Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth lovingkindness; For thou renderest to every man according to his work. Psalm 63 A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Truly my soul waiteth upon God, etc.] In the use of means, for answers of prayer, for performance of promises, and for deliverance from enemies, and out of every trouble: or “is silent” f825, as the Targum; not as to prayer, but as to murmuring; patiently and quietly waiting for salvation until the Lord’s time come to give it; being “subject” to him, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions; resigned to his will, and patient under his afflicting hand: it denotes a quiet, patient, waiting on the Lord, and not merely bodily exercise in outward ordinances; but an inward frame of spirit, a soul…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“To Jeduthun--(See on Psa 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. (Psa 62:1-12) waiteth--literally, "is silent," trusts submissively and confidently as a servant.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Truly - Indeed; really. The state of mind indicated by this particle is that of one who had been seriously contemplating a subject; who had looked round on his own actual condition; who had taken an estimate of all his resources, and of all his means of reliance, and who had carefully examined his own state of mind to see what was his real trust, and what were his real feelings toward God. Having done all this, he, at last, breaks out with the expression - “My soul does sincerely confide in God; I have no other resource; I have no power to meet my foes, and I am sure - my inmost soul testifies - that my real…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 3
“Ye - Mine enemies; to whom now he turns his speech. Against - Against me, a man like yourselves, whom common humanity obliges you to pity. Psalms 62:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 62 This psalm expresses confidence in the king and offers prayer for him. The king rests in God despite his difficulties. Although his deceptive and powerful adversaries push hard against him, he remains undaunted. He encourages himself and his people to trust in God and to see their human adversaries from God’s perspective, where they appear frail, fleeting, and deceptive (62:9). 62:title Jeduthun: See 1 Chr 25:1; also in Pss 39 and 77.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Truly: or, Only, Psa 62:2, Psa 62:5, Psa 62:6 my soul: Psa 25:5, Psa 27:14, Psa 33:20, Psa 40:1, Psa 123:2, Psa 130:5, Psa 130:6; Isa 30:18, Isa 40:31; Lam 3:25, Lam 3:38; Jam 5:7 waiteth: Heb. is silent, Psa 37:7, Psa 65:1 \*marg. from: Psa 37:39, Psa 68:19, Psa 68:20, Psa 121:2; Isa 12:2; Jer 3:23; Luk 2:30-32 Psalms 62:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The poet, although apparently irrecoverably lost, does not nevertheless despair, but opposes one thing to the tumultuous crowding in upon him of his many foes, viz., quiet calm submission - not, however, a fatalistic resignation, but that which gives up everything to God, whose hand (vid., Sa2 12:7-13) can be distinctly recognised and felt in what is now happening to him. אך (yea, only, nevertheless) is the language of faith, with which, in the face of all assault, established truths are confessed and confirmed; and with which, in the midst of all conflict, resolutions, that are made and are to be firmly kept,…”
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