Psalms 62
Psalm 62 is a psalm in which David, amid a crisis, trusts only God and confesses that trust. The psalm can be divided into three main parts. First, the psalmist confesses that his soul looks only to God, and that only He is his salvation and hope (verses 1–2). Next, although people around him try to bring him down, the psalmist repeats again and again that he relies faithfully on God alone (verses 3–7). Finally, the psalmist encourages the community to trust God as he does, and he closes by affirming God’s justice and love (verses 8–12).
1verseFor the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him.
2verseHe alone is my rock, my salvation, and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken.
3verseHow long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
4verseThey fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
5verseMy soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.
6verseHe alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken.
7verseMy salvation and my honor is with God. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8verseTrust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9verseSurely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.
10verseDon’t trust in oppression. Don’t become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them.
11verseGod has spoken once; twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God.
12verseAlso to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.
The Central Message of Psalm 62
The core message of this psalm is “that only God is salvation, and that you should not place your ultimate trust in anything else—whether people, or anything like wealth”. David repeatedly emphasizes trust in God, confessing an inner peace that overcomes the anxious and fearful realities around him. For the psalmist, God is a “rock” and a “deliverer,” and he is the only refuge. Also, by pointing out the limits of human life, wealth, and power, the psalm declares that all authority and mercy belong to God—so that readers can examine what they truly put their trust in.
The Flow of Psalm 62
- Verses 1–2:The psalmist’s confession of trust as he looks to God from the depths of his soul
- Verses 3–4:Pressure and threats from his adversaries, and the psalmist’s unshakable posture
- Verses 5–7:Once again, a reaffirmation of faith toward himself, and a declaration that only God is hope
- Verses 8–10:An exhortation to others to rely on God alone, along with a warning about the dangers of a trust that can be renewed/continued
- Verses 11–12:Praise for God’s power, love, and righteousness
Meditation Points
- In times of anxiety and crisis, we can think about where we put our hearts first.
- David confesses repeatedly that he trusts only God. We too should check the object of our trust.
- It’s also worth reflecting on whether we truly recognize God’s help and protection—not only in times of life’s crisis, but also in the stability and abundance of everyday life.
Apply It to Yourself
- How are you experiencing today, in your own life, that God alone is your true rock, your salvation, and your only hope?
- What are the things you lean on (people, wealth, abilities, etc.), and when those things shake—even if only for a moment—how do you respond?
- Like this psalm, ask yourself whether you can choose a life in which, even in anxious circumstances, you pour out your heart to God with all your heart and trust Him.
