The Psalm 62 is an invitation to place our full trust in God even in the face of life’s adversities and pressures. Written by David, this song highlights the silence of a soul that waits only on the Lord, reinforcing that true security is found not in riches or people but exclusively in God. In this article, we will explore Psalm 62 in depth, understanding its context, main teachings, and how to apply it in everyday life.
Complete Psalm 62
¹ My soul waits only upon God; from Him comes my salvation.
² He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly shaken.
³ How long will you scheme mischief against a man? You shall all be slain; you will be like a leaning wall, a tottering fence.
⁴ They only plan to cast him down from his high position; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but inwardly they curse. (Selah.)
⁵ O my soul, wait silently for God alone, for my hope comes from Him.
⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
⁷ In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength and my refuge are in God.
⁸ Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him. God is our refuge. (Selah.)
⁹ Surely people of low degree are but a vapor, and people of high degree are a lie; if weighed in the balance, they are together lighter than vapor.
¹⁰ Do not trust in oppression nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
¹¹ God has spoken once; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God.
¹² Also to You, Lord, belongs mercy; for You will repay everyone according to his work.
Psalm 62 Verse by Verse: Understanding Each Part
Psalm 62:1
My soul waits only upon God; from Him comes my salvation.
In this opening, David declares that his soul is silent and rests only in the Lord. The salvation he anticipates is not the result of human effort but comes exclusively from God. The trust here is total, without reservation.
Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly shaken.
David affirms that God is his solid foundation (rock), his Savior, and his protection. The phrase “I shall not be greatly shaken” shows that, even under pressure, he will not be destroyed because he is firmly grounded in the Lord.
Psalm 62:3
How long will you scheme mischief against a man? You shall all be slain; you will be like a leaning wall, a tottering fence.
Here, David questions the persistence of attacks against him. He compares his enemies to unstable structures, warning that, though they appear strong, they are about to collapse.
Psalm 62:4
They only plan to cast him down from his high position; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but inwardly they curse. (Selah.)
This verse exposes the falseness of David’s enemies. They plot to overthrow him, take pleasure in lies, and use sweet words to hide evil intentions. “Selah” signals a pause for reflection.
Psalm 62:5
O my soul, wait silently for God alone, for my hope comes from Him.
David speaks to himself, urging his soul to remain firm in God. He reaffirms that his hope is not in people or wealth but in the Lord.
Psalm 62:6
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
Repeating verse 2 with greater strength, David shows how his faith is solidifying. Now he declares with confidence that he will not be shaken, dropping the word “greatly” used earlier.
Psalm 62:7
In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength and my refuge are in God.
Everything David values most—salvation, honor, security, and shelter—is grounded in God. In Him he finds the true worth of his life.
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him. God is our refuge. (Selah.)
This verse is a collective call to trust. David invites the people to trust God at all times, encouraging sincere prayer and wholehearted surrender.
Psalm 62:9
Surely people of low degree are but a vapor, and people of high degree are a lie; if weighed in the balance, they are together lighter than vapor.
David teaches that neither the humble nor the powerful offer real security. When weighed against eternity, all are unstable, fragile, and fleeting.
Psalm 62:10
Do not trust in oppression nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
This is a warning: even if money and power grow, we must not trust in them. True security is not found in material possessions.
Psalm 62:11
God has spoken once; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God.
This Hebrew phrase is a poetic device for emphasis. David declares that he has learned with conviction that all power is in God’s hands, not human hands.
Psalm 62:12
Also to You, Lord, belongs mercy; for You will repay everyone according to his work.
The psalm ends balancing justice and mercy. God is loving yet also just: He repays each person according to their deeds, inspiring both confidence and responsibility.
The Central Meaning of Psalm 62
The core message of Psalm 62 is that only God is our rock, salvation, and fortress. David repeatedly emphasizes that his soul waits silently for the Lord, recognizing that any trust placed outside of Him is fragile and short-lived.
Unshakable Trust
The great lesson of Psalm 62 is that trust in God does not depend on external circumstances. Even when persecuted or betrayed, David declares that his faith is unshakable because it is grounded in an unchanging God.
Silence as a Spiritual Attitude
The silence mentioned in Psalm 62 is not passivity but confident rest. It means waiting on God without anxiety, knowing that deliverance will come at the right time.
Literary Structure of Psalm 62
Psalm 62 is poetically structured, with strategic repetitions to reinforce its main points. It is divided into three main sections:
- Declaration of trust
- Denunciation of false men
- Appeal for collective trust in the Lord
Highlights in the Verses
The repetition of the terms “only” and “I shall not be shaken” shows the firmness of someone who places all expectations in God.
Practical Applications of Psalm 62
Psalm 62 offers clear directions for a life of trust and balance. It teaches us that:
- The soul finds peace in God, not in human solutions
- We must keep our hearts firm even in the face of falsehood
- Silence can be an act of faith and spiritual resistance
How to Meditate on Psalm 62
Meditate daily on Psalm 62 when you wake up or whenever you face difficult moments. Read it slowly, internalize each verse, and turn it into prayer. This will strengthen your trust and renew your hope.
Using Psalm 62 in Your Routine
Include Psalm 62 in your daily spiritual practices. It can be read during discouraging moments, incorporated into prayers, or used in a devotional. Its message is universal and timeless.
Spiritual Reflections on Psalm 62
Psalm 62 is a spiritual gem that leads us on a journey of introspection and reconnection with what is eternal. It not only teaches about trusting God but also invites us to reevaluate where we have placed our faith. In a world that encourages haste, self-promotion, and reliance on visible resources, this psalm calls us to an inner rest possible only when we surrender control to God.
The spirituality proposed here is mature: it is not based on fleeting emotions but on a conviction built through experiences with God. David’s example shows that such trust is born not from theory but from the daily practice of seeking God amid life’s struggles.
The Importance of Waiting in Silence
Waiting in silence is one of the great themes of Psalm 62—and perhaps one of the hardest to apply. The silence cited by David is active and purposeful. It does not represent surrender or apathy but rather a trust so solid that it removes the need for anxiety or complaints.
In the modern world, we are trained to react quickly, to seek immediate solutions, and often to rely only on ourselves. However, this psalm teaches that there is powerful strength in patient, silent waiting, where the soul rests because it knows whom it trusts. This silence is an act of faith that communicates, “God is in control, and I do not need to fear.”
The Illusion of Human Power
Psalm 62 also dismantles the idea that power, status, or money provide real security. David, even as a king, knew these things are fragile and temporary. He describes influential people as “lighter than vapor” when compared to the eternal weight of God’s truth.
Many today still rely on positions, titles, achievements, or bank accounts to feel protected. Yet the psalm reveals that anything built outside God’s will is unstable and deceptive. True strength lies in recognizing divine sovereignty and depending wholly on it, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.
Faith that Goes Beyond Appearance
Another key reflection from Psalm 62 is that faith does not require noise or ostentation. It can be quiet, discreet, yet profoundly solid. David shows it is possible to live with inner peace even amid attacks, lies, or insecurity around us.
This silent spirituality is powerful because it does not depend on external recognition. It grows in the secret place, in the intimate dialogue between the soul and God. It is a faith that needs to prove nothing because it is anchored on the eternal rock.
Trusting Even When You Don’t Feel It
We often confuse faith with feelings. We think trusting God means feeling secure, but Psalm 62 shows that true trust remains firm even when the heart is downcast. David expresses this by commanding his own soul to wait on God, even if his emotions say otherwise.
Curiosities About Psalm 62
- It is one of the few psalms that repeatedly uses the expression “only in God.”
- The Hebrew word translated “wait in silence” can also mean “rest” or “wait in peace.”
- This psalm is often used in spiritual retreats for its message of inner quietness.
FAQ about Psalm 62
What does it mean to wait in silence in Psalm 62?
It means trusting completely in God without despair, anxiety, or murmuring.
What is the main message of Psalm 62?
The main message is that God is the only safe and trustworthy refuge.
Can Psalm 62 be used in prayer?
Yes. It is an excellent basis for personal prayers, especially in times of uncertainty.
Who wrote Psalm 62?
It was written by David, as indicated in the psalm’s superscription.
When is Psalm 62 most appropriate to read?
It is ideal for moments of distress, decision, betrayal, or whenever the soul needs peace.
Conclusion
Psalm 62 is a powerful reminder that true strength comes from faith. It encourages us to trust entirely in God, not to seek security in riches or people, and to live a life of spiritual serenity. By meditating on this psalm, we find an anchor for difficult days and an inexhaustible source of peace.
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