Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary < PSALM 62
Ps 62:1-12. To Jeduthun—(See on [603]Ps 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. 1. waiteth—literally, "is silent," trusts submissively and confidently as a servant. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. 2. The titles applied to God often occur (Ps 9:9; 18:2).
be greatly moved—(Ps 10:6). No injury shall be permanent, though devised by enemies. 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. 3. Their destruction will come; as a tottering wall they already are feeble and failing.
bowing wall shall ye be—better supply "are." Some propose to apply these phrases to describe the condition of "a man"—that is, the pious suffer: thus, "Will ye slay him," &c.; but the other is a good sense. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. 4. his excellency—or, elevation to which God had raised him (Ps 4:2). This they try to do by lies and duplicity (Ps 5:9).
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 5, 6. (Compare Ps 62:1, 2).
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 6. not be moved—not at all; his confidence has increased.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 7. rock of my strength—or strongest support (Ps 7:10; 61:3).
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. 8. pour out your heart—give full expression to feeling (1Sa 1:15; Job 30:16; Ps 42:4).
ye people—God's people. Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. 9. No kind of men are reliable, compared with God (Isa 2:22; Jer 17:5).
altogether—alike, one as the other (Ps 34:3). Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. 10. Not only are oppression and robbery, which are wicked means of wealth, no grounds of boasting; but even wealth, increasing lawfully, ought not to engross the heart.
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. 11. once; twice—(as in Job 33:14; 40:5), are used to give emphasis to the sentiment. God's power is tempered by His mercy, which it also sustains.
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. 12. for thou renderest—literally, "that Thou renderest," &c., connected with "I heard this," as the phrase—"that power," &c. [Ps 62:11]—teaching that by His power He can show both mercy and justice. |
