Psalms 62 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 62

My Soul Waits for God Alone

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62:1   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.
3   How long will all of you attack a man
    to batter him,
    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4   They 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
5   For 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.
7   On 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.
10   Put 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,
12     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
  For you will render to a man
    according to his work.

Commentary

A time of difficulty; David's sin with Bathsheba, the death of the child, problems with Amnon and Absalom (2 Sam 12-16); in trusting God, he receives a calmness and peace that only God can give.

v1-2: Dependence upon God alone; see also v5-7. This has been called the 'only' psalm, as the words 'alone' and 'only' appear several times.

v3-4: Enemies using deceit to bring David down; even David realised their scheming.

v5-7: David speaks to his own soul, "wait patiently for Him." God only is his rock and salvation; there is no other Saviour, and no other security. Here is submission and devotion, in contrast to the bustle of normal life.

'‘His eye is to Christ, his heart is to Christ, and his expectation is from Him, from Him only.’ (John Bunyan, Come and welcome to Jesus Christ)

v8: God is a refuge for us; this is true for all His people, as well as for each one. We are encouraged to pour out our hearts, to be unrestricted, unashamed, and unprofessional!

v9: Human esteem is different from God's perspective; men are "lighter than vapour"; it is therefore folly to trust in them.

v10: The danger of materialism; do not use robbery or oppression to gain wealth. If riches do increase, we are not to set our hearts on them. Love for money leads to all manner of problems.

v11-12: Our God; characterised by power and mercy; both encourage us to trust Him; power because He is able to fulfil His word to us; mercy because He will bless us and provide for us.