Psalm 62

Psalm 62 belongs to Book II of the Psalter (Psalms 42–72). The preceding Psalm 61 is a prayer to be led to "the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 62 takes up that image of the rock but emphasizes a confession of trust rather than petition. The superscription identifies it as "A Psalm of David" sung "to Jeduthun," that is, according to Jeduthun's manner.

Structure

• Verses 1–2 The psalmist confesses that his soul waits silently upon God alone. He calls God his rock, his salvation, and his defense.
• Verses 3–4 He questions his enemies: how long will they assail a man who is like a bowing wall? They bless with their mouths but curse inwardly. Verse 4 ends with Selah.
• Verses 5–7 He exhorts his own soul, "wait thou only upon God," repeating the refrain of verses 1–2.
• Verse 8 He urges the people to trust in God and to pour out their hearts before Him. This verse also ends with Selah.
• Verses 9–10 He declares that men of low degree and men of high degree alike, when weighed in the balance, are lighter than a breath. He warns against trusting in oppression and robbery and against setting one's heart on riches when they increase.
• Verses 11–12 The psalm concludes with the confession that power and mercy belong to God and that He renders to every man according to his work.

Key Verses

• Psalm 62:1 "Truly my soul waiteth upon God" sums up the theme of the entire psalm in a single sentence.
• Psalm 62:8 "Pour out your heart before him" broadens the psalmist's personal trust into an exhortation to the community.
• Psalm 62:12 "For thou renderest to every man according to his work" connects with New Testament passages on judgment.

People and Places

• David: Named in the superscription; king of Israel.
• Jeduthun: Known as a Levitical worship leader responsible for temple music in David's time (1 Chronicles 25). He also appears in the superscriptions of Psalm 39 and Psalm 77.

Points for Reflection

• The repeated refrain: Verses 1–2 and 5–6 are nearly identical. However, "I shall not be greatly moved" in verse 2 becomes "I shall not be moved" in verse 6. Some interpreters read this change as an expression of deepening trust.
• "Only": The original text repeatedly uses a Hebrew word (ak) that can be translated "only" or "truly."
• Waiting in silence: The word rendered "waiteth" conveys silence, describing an attitude of waiting on God alone without complaint.
• Date and setting: On the basis of the phrase "to cast him down from his excellency" in verse 4, some interpreters connect the psalm with the rebellion of Absalom. Because the text does not specify the situation, however, this connection should be recognized as a conjecture rather than as something the text states. Scholars also differ on whether the superscription identifies the author.
• "Once; twice": The expression in verse 11 is explained as a feature of Hebrew poetry in which a number is followed by the next higher number ("one… two…").
• Mercy: The word "mercy" in verse 12 translates the Hebrew hesed, denoting love that is faithful to the covenant.
• Connections with the New Testament: Expressions similar to verse 12 appear in Romans 2:6, Matthew 16:27, and Revelation 22:12.

In the Korean Church

The exhortation of verses 1 and 5 to wait silently upon God alone is frequently cited in sermons and in quiet time devotional meditations on waiting and trust.