Table of Contents
Historical Background and Context
Psalm 62 is a profound expression of quiet, resolute trust in God in the face of treachery. The title attributes it to David, and while it does not name a specific event, its themes of conspiracy, deceitful words, and the threat of being toppled from a position of authority fit perfectly with the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18).
During that time, David was confronted by a massive conspiracy that included his own son and his most trusted advisor, Ahithophel. He was attacked not only by armies but by lies and slander designed to undermine his rule. The enemies described in the psalm, who “bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse” (verse 4), are a perfect match for the disloyal counselors and subjects who paid lip service to David while plotting his downfall.
This psalm is David’s internal monologue in the midst of this crisis. It is not a loud cry for help but a quiet, firm declaration of where his trust lies. He preaches to his own soul, steadying it against the storm of betrayal by anchoring it in the reality of God alone.
Theological Themes
This psalm is a masterclass in the nature of true faith, built on several foundational theological truths.
Waiting Silently for God: The central theme is a quiet, patient trust. The psalm opens and pivots on the Hebrew word dûmiyyāh, which means silence or rest. “Truly my soul finds rest in God” (verse 1). This is not a passive, helpless silence, but a strong, confident, and peaceful waiting. It is the silence of a soul that has stopped striving, panicking, and looking for other solutions because it is utterly convinced that God is in control.
God Alone as the Source of Security: The Hebrew word ‘ak, meaning “truly” or “only,” is a key to the psalm, appearing six times. David’s trust is in God alone. “He alone is my rock and my salvation” (verse 2, 6). This is a radical and exclusive faith. David deliberately rejects all other potential sources of security—human alliances, personal strength, wealth, and power—to place his hope in God and God alone.
The Frailty of Humans and Riches: In contrast to the solid rock of God, David gives a stark assessment of all human-based hopes. People, whether of high or low status, are “but a breath,” a “lie,” and weightless on a scale (verse 9). Likewise, trusting in power gained by extortion or setting one’s heart on riches is a path to disappointment (verse 10). The psalm warns against placing ultimate trust in anything that is not God.
The Twin Pillars of God’s Character: Power and Love: The psalm concludes with two things David has heard and understood about God: He has power (‘oz) and He has unfailing love (hesed) (verses 11-12). These are the two essential pillars for our faith. God’s love means He is for us and desires to save us. His power means He is able to do it. This perfect combination of character and capability is the ultimate reason we can rest in Him.
Literary Structure and Genre
Psalm 62 is a psalm of trust. Its structure is beautifully crafted to reinforce its central message. It is a dialogue where David first states his faith, then confronts his enemies, then preaches to his own soul, and finally offers wisdom to the entire community.
- Part 1: Personal Declaration of Trust (verses 1-4): David declares his quiet confidence in God and then directly challenges his enemies.
- Part 2: Personal Exhortation to Trust (verses 5-8): David speaks to his own soul, commanding it to find its rest in God, and then extends this invitation to all people.
- Part 3: General Wisdom on Trust (verses 9-12): David reflects on the worthlessness of false trusts (people and riches) and concludes by grounding all hope in the character of God.
Verse by Verse Commentary on Psalm 62
Verses 1-4: A Quiet Soul and a Loud Accusation
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in 1their hearts they curse.”
The psalm opens with a profound statement of peace. David’s soul is in a state of quiet waiting before God. This silence is not empty; it is filled with expectation, because his “salvation comes from him.” He piles up metaphors for security: God is his rock, his salvation, his fortress. Because of this, his conclusion is bold: “I will never be shaken.” This means he will not be ultimately or finally cast down.
After establishing his own secure position, David turns to his enemies in verse 3. He asks, “How long will you assault me?” He pictures himself from their perspective as a “leaning wall, a tottering fence“—weak and on the verge of collapse. They see him as an easy target.
Verse 4 reveals their true motive and method. They want to topple him from his “lofty place” as king. Their primary weapon is not the sword, but lies. They are masters of deceit and hypocrisy. They say flattering things to his face (“With their mouths they bless“) but are inwardly plotting his ruin (“in their hearts they curse“). This was the very strategy of Absalom and Ahithophel.
Verses 5-8: Preaching to the Soul and the People
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
David now turns inward and preaches to himself. He commands his own soul: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God.” This is a deliberate act of self-correction. When anxiety and fear rise up, he speaks truth to his own heart. He repeats the great affirmations from the first section: God is his rock, salvation, and fortress. His confidence has deepened; where before he said he would “never be shaken,” now he simply says, “I will not be shaken.” He adds that his “honor” also depends on God.
Having steadied his own soul, David turns outward in verse 8 and invites others to join him. “Trust in him at all times, you people.” His personal testimony becomes a public sermon. He encourages them to “pour out your hearts to him“—to hold nothing back, to bring all their fears, pains, and hopes to God in honest prayer. Why? “For God is our refuge.” The refuge he has found is available to all.
Verses 9-12: The Worthlessness of False Hopes
“Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
In this final section, David offers wisdom about where not to place one’s trust. First, he dismisses trust in people. Whether they are lowborn or highborn, they are utterly insubstantial. Like a “breath” or a vapor, they are here one moment and gone the next. On a scale, they have no weight against the reality of God.
Second, he dismisses trust in wealth, especially ill-gotten gains from “extortion” or theft. Even if riches increase honestly, he warns, “do not set your heart on them.” Wealth is a fleeting and unreliable source of security.
The psalm concludes with the ultimate foundation for true hope. David has heard two unshakable truths about God. First, “Power belongs to you, God.” He is sovereign and has the ability to act. Second, “with you, Lord, is unfailing love” (hesed). He has the loving and faithful character that guarantees He will act for the good of His people. This perfect blend of power and love means God is both able and willing to save. The final line affirms God’s justice: He is a God who sees and will ultimately hold everyone accountable.
Practical Lessons for Today
Learn the Discipline of a Quiet Soul: In a noisy and anxious world, the call to find “rest” or “silence” in God is more important than ever. This means intentionally quieting our own frantic thoughts, fears, and plans, and waiting peacefully for God to act, trusting that He is in control.
Preach Truth to Yourself: David models the vital spiritual practice of speaking to his own soul. When you are discouraged or fearful, don’t just listen to your feelings—talk back to them with the truth of who God is. Remind your soul that He is your rock and your fortress.
Pour Out Your Heart to God: God invites us into a relationship of complete honesty. “Pouring out your heart” means holding nothing back. He is a safe refuge who can handle our doubts, our fears, our anger, and our pain.
Anchor Your Faith in God’s Character: True, unshakable faith is not based on our circumstances or our feelings. It is based on the reality of who God is. Remember the “two things” David heard: God has all the power, and He has all the love. That is all you need to know to trust Him completely.
Cross References
Isaiah 30:15: “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.'” The prophet Isaiah echoes the central theme of Psalm 62, teaching that true strength is found not in frantic activity but in quiet trust in God.
Jeremiah 17:5-8: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man… But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD…'” This passage powerfully contrasts the folly of trusting in “mere flesh” with the blessing of trusting in God, which is the core message of Psalm 62:9-12.
1 Timothy 6:17: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” The Apostle Paul gives a New Testament warning that directly parallels David’s admonition in Psalm 62:10 not to set one’s heart on riches.
Revelation 22:12: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” The final chapter of the Bible echoes the final verse of Psalm 62, affirming the ultimate justice of God, who sees all and will reward and judge with perfect equity.