Psalms 62:1-12 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

LXII. Rest in God. The Psalmist, who is closely allied in thought and style to the author of Psalms 4, exhorts to complete trust in God. He expresses his trust in Psalms 62:1 f., his rest in Psalms 62:3; in Psalms 62:4 he denounces sinners; in Psalms 62:5-12 he reverts to his original theme, which he states with greater fullness. All other trust is vain. He repeats Psalms 62:1 f. in Psalms 62:5 f., probably as a refrain, though the words may be variants of the same text.

Psalms 62:1. Read the imperative as in Psalms 62:5, Wait in stillness upon God (cf. mg.).

Psalms 62:3. Omit against a man, which is an erroneous gloss, and read, How long will they cry out and exclaim, as if at a burning wall, a tottering fence?

Psalms 62:4. From his excellency: another erroneous gloss. Translate, They only consult to throw down, i.e. the wall. The tottering wall represents the tottering state or community. For this condition of things, his enemies blame the Psalmist, while they themselves are bringing on the catastrophe.

Psalms 62:1-12

1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

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

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.

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

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

6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; 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.

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

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

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

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

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