Psalms 62
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
To Jeduthun--(See on Psa 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. (Psa 62:1-12) waiteth--literally, "is silent," trusts submissively and confidently as a servant.
Open source ↗Truly my soul waiteth upon God,.... In the use of means, for answers of prayer, for performance of promises, and for deliverance from enemies, and out of every trouble: or "is silent" (e), as the Targum; not as to prayer, but as to murmuring; patiently and quietly waiting for salvation until the Lord's time come to give it; being "subject" to him, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions; resigned to his will, and patient under his afflicting hand: it denotes a quiet, patient, waiting on the Lord, and not merely bodily exercise in outward ordinances; but an inward frame of spirit, a soul waiting on the Lord, and that in truth and reality, in opposition to mere form and show; and with constancy "waiteth", and "only" (f) on him, as the same particle is rendered in Psa 62:2; and so Aben Ezra here; from him cometh my salvation; both temporal, spiritual, and eternal, and not from any creature; the consideration of which makes the mind quiet and easy under afflictive provide uses: the contrivance of everlasting salvation is from the Father, the impetration of it from the Son, and the application of it from the Spirit. (e) "silet", Pagninus, Munster, Cocceius; "silens", Montanus, Tigurine version; so the Targum. (f) "tantum", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus; "tantummodo", Junius & Tremellius, Schmidt.
Open source ↗The poet, although apparently irrecoverably lost, does not nevertheless despair, but opposes one thing to the tumultuous crowding in upon him of his many foes, viz., quiet calm submission - not, however, a fatalistic resignation, but that which gives up everything to God, whose hand (vid., Sa2 12:7-13) can be distinctly recognised and felt in what is now happening to him. אך (yea, only, nevertheless) is the language of faith, with which, in the face of all assault, established truths are confessed and confirmed; and with which, in the midst of all conflict, resolutions, that are made and are to be firmly kept, are deliberately and solemnly declared and affirmed. There is no necessity for regarding דּוּמיּה (not דּומיּה), which is always a substantive (not only in Psa 22:3; Psa 39:3, but also in this instance and in Psa 65:2), and which is related to דּוּמה, silence, Psa 94:17; Psa 115:17, just as עליליּה, Jer 32:19, is related to עלילה, as an accus. absol.: in silent submission (Hupfeld). Like תּפּלּה in Psa 109:4, it is a predicate: his soul is silent submission, i.e., altogether resigned to God without any purpose and action of its own. His salvation comes from God, yea, God Himself is his salvation, so that, while God is his God, he is even already in possession of salvation, and by virtue of it stands imperturbably firm. We see clearly from Psa 37:24, what the poet means by רבּה. He will not greatly, very much, particularly totter, i.e., not so that it should come to his falling and remaining down. רבּה is an adverb like רבּת, Psa 123:4, and הרבּה, Ecc 5:19. There is some difficulty about the ἅπαξ λεγομ. תּהותתוּ .לןדו (Psa 62:4). Abulwald, whom Parchon, Kimchi, and most others follow, compares the Arabic hatta 'l-rajul, the man brags; but this Arab. ht (intensive…
Open source ↗In these verses we have, I. David's profession of dependence upon God, and upon him only, for all good (Psa 62:1): Truly my soul waiteth upon God. Nevertheless (so some) or "However it be, whatever difficulties or dangers I may meet with, though God frown upon me and I meet with discouragements in my attendance on him, yet still my soul waits upon God" (or is silent to God, as the word is), "Says nothing against what he does, but quietly expects what he will do." We are in the way both of duty and comfort when our souls wait upon God, when we cheerfully refer ourselves, and the disposal of all our affairs, to his will and wisdom, when we acquiesce in and accommodate ourselves to all the dispensations of his providence, and patiently expect a doubtful event, with an entire satisfaction in his righteousness and goodness, however it be. Is not my soul subject go God? So the Septuagint. So it, certainly so it ought to be; our wills must be melted into his will. My soul has respect to God, for from him cometh my salvation. He doubts not but his salvation will come, though now he was threatened and in danger, and he expects it to come from God, and from him only; for in vain is it hoped for from hills and mountains, Jer 3:23; Psa 121:1, Psa 121:2. "From him I know it will come, and therefore on him will I patiently wait till it does come, for his time is the best time." We may apply it to our eternal salvation, which is called the salvation of God (Psa 50:23); from him it comes; he prepared it for us, he prepares us for it, and preserves us to it, and therefore let our souls wait on him, to be conducted through this world to that eternal salvation, in such way as he thinks fit. II. The ground and reason of this dependence (Psa 62:2): He only is my rock and my salvation; he is…
Open source ↗Ps 62 This psalm expresses confidence in the king and offers prayer for him. The king rests in God despite his difficulties. Although his deceptive and powerful adversaries push hard against him, he remains undaunted. He encourages himself and his people to trust in God and to see their human adversaries from God’s perspective, where they appear frail, fleeting, and deceptive (62:9). 62:title Jeduthun: See 1 Chr 25:1; also in Pss 39 and 77.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… יְדוּתוּן (Yᵉdûwthûwn, H3038) — Jeduthun, an Israelite מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… דּוּמִיָּה (dûwmîyâh, H1747) — stillness; adverbially, silently; abstractly quiet, trust אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
Open source ↗צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity מִשְׂגָּב (misgâb, H4869) — defence, high fort (tower), refuge, Misgab, a place in Moab רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מוֹט (môwṭ, H4131) — to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall
Open source ↗הָתַת (hâthath, H2050) — properly, to break in upon, i.e. to assail אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רָצַח (râtsach, H7523) — properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) דָּחָה (dâchâh, H1760) — to push down גָּדֵר (gâdêr, H1447) — a circumvallation; by implication, an inclosure
Open source ↗יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… שְׂאֵת (sᵉʼêth, H7613) — an elevation or leprous scab; figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank… רָצָה (râtsâh, H7521) — to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy adebt כָּזָב (kâzâb, H3577) — falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… דָּמַם (dâmam, H1826) — to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… תִּקְוָה (tiqvâh, H8615) — literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
Open source ↗צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity מִשְׂגָּב (misgâb, H4869) — defence, high fort (tower), refuge, Misgab, a place in Moab מוֹט (môwṭ, H4131) — to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יֶשַׁע (yeshaʻ, H3468) — liberty, deliverance, prosperity כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) מַחֲסֶה (machăçeh, H4268) — a shelter (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מַחֲסֶה (machăçeh, H4268) — a shelter (literally or figuratively) סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כָּזָב (kâzâb, H3577) — falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… מֹאזֵן (môʼzên, H3976) — (only in the dual) a pair of scales יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
Open source ↗בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure עֹשֶׁק (ʻôsheq, H6233) — injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain הָבַל (hâbal, H1891) — to be vain in act, word, or expectation; specifically to lead astray גָּזֵל (gâzêl, H1498) — robbery, or (concretely) plunder חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… נוּב (nûwb, H5107) — to germinate, i.e. (figuratively) to (causatively, make) flourish; also (of words), to… שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… זוּ (zûw, H2098) — this or that עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
Open source ↗אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.
I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are on the LORD our God until He shows us mercy.
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.