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Waiting on God
Psalm 62 is a song about quietly waiting for God in the middle of pressure and false words. It keeps returning to one point: God alone is the place of safety, hope and refuge.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
The psalmist says his soul rests in God alone and names God as rock, salvation and fortress. He also speaks of attackers who want to bring someone down and use lying words. The song then calls everyone to trust God rather than people, oppression or wealth.
Psalms 62:1–12Main takeaway
This psalm teaches that lasting security and hope are found in God alone, not in human status, force or riches.
Explore the poem and its images
01God alone is rest and safetyThe opening words are direct: the soul rests in God alone, and salvation comes from him. God is called a rock and fortress, pictures of firmness and protection.
Explanation
The opening words are direct: the soul rests in God alone, and salvation comes from him. God is called a rock and fortress, pictures of firmness and protection. Because of who God is, the speaker says he will not be greatly shaken.
02Enemies attack with force and falsehoodThe psalm then names opposition. Attackers want to throw a man down, using the image of a leaning wall or tottering fence.
Explanation
The psalm then names opposition. Attackers want to throw a man down, using the image of a leaning wall or tottering fence. Their words are divided: they bless with their mouth but curse inwardly. “Selah” marks a pause in the song.
03Wait silently and pour out your heartThe singer speaks to his own soul again, telling it to wait in silence for God alone. Expectation, salvation, honour, strength and refuge are all said to be in God.
Explanation
The singer speaks to his own soul again, telling it to wait in silence for God alone. Expectation, salvation, honour, strength and refuge are all said to be in God. Then the call widens to “you people”: trust him at all times and pour out your heart before him.
04Do not trust people, oppression or richesThe last lines compare human status to breath on the scales, whether low or high. The psalm warns against trusting oppression, robbery or growing riches.
Explanation
The last lines compare human status to breath on the scales, whether low or high. The psalm warns against trusting oppression, robbery or growing riches. It ends by saying that power belongs to God and loving kindness belongs to the Lord, who rewards each person according to his work.
Questions to explore
01Which repeated names for God explain why the singer feels secure?
Look for titles such as rock, salvation, fortress and refuge.
02How does the psalm describe the enemies’ actions and words?
Notice both the attack images and the contrast between outward blessing and inward cursing.
03What does the psalm tell people not to trust, and what should they do instead?
Compare the warnings about people, oppression and riches with the command to trust God.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 62:1–12
1My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him.
2He alone is my rock, my salvation, and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken.
3How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
4They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
5My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.
6He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken.
7My salvation and my honor is with God. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9Surely 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.
10Don’t trust in oppression. Don’t become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them.
11God has spoken once; twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God.
12Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.