Psalms Chapter 62

Psalms 62

Psalm 62 is a compact, piercing meditation on trust in God amid social pressure and shifting fortunes. The opening refrain—“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation”—frames the psalm as a meditation on trusted reliance rather than frantic pursuit of power. The psalmist asserts that God alone is the rock, the salvation, and the defense; these repeated refrains create a sturdy cadence that grounds confidence in divine, not human, security. The psalmist then contrasts those who pursue status or wealth by oppression or deceit with the steadfast trust in God, noting that even those who seem powerful are ultimately “vanity” and “a lie.” The core exhortation is to wait on God in all things, because ultimate power resides with God alone. The litany of faithful conviction—God is salvation, glory, rock of strength, and refuge—circles back to the insistence that trust in God should shape everyday decisions: do not set the heart on riches, put your confidence in God, and pour out your heart before Him. The psalm closes with the famous line that power belongs to God and mercy to Him as well, tying divine sovereignty to moral accountability.

Historically, Psalm 62 is a wisdom-liturgical piece, often categorized as a personal lament and a song of trust. It reflects a theological posture that values divine sovereignty above social pressures and material security, a common theme in wisdom literature and royal psalms.

Psalm 62 belongs to Book II and is attributed to David. It sits among other psalms of trust that counter anxiety with steadfast confidence in God’s sovereignty. The compact structure emphasizes a single overarching claim: trust God alone, for He is the true defense and reward. The rhetorical technique—refrains, parallelism, and a balanced triad of danger, defense, and deliverance—makes it a memorable meditation for personal devotion and liturgical use.

- God as sole refuge and salvation: The core assertion is that true security comes from God, not wealth or status.

- The futility of human power: A critique of those who rely on oppression or public acclaim.

- The discipline of waiting on God: A call to patient faith rather than hurried pursuit of control.

- The twin mercies of power and mercy: God’s sovereignty and kindness together shape trust.

Psalm 62 invites readers to evaluate where they seek security. In a world where status, wealth, and influence promise safety, the psalm challenges believers to reorient their trust toward God as the real fortress. It encourages practical steps: cultivate a rhythm of prayerful waiting, resist the inclination to judge others by their outward power, and invest in what endures—character, integrity, and reliance on divine mercy. The call to “pour out your heart before Him” legitimizes honest, raw dialogue with God about fear and need, while the reminder that God’s power and mercy prevail offers spiritual resilience in the face of social pressures.

- Psalm 27 (trust in God as defender)

- Psalm 46 (God as refuge in trouble)

- Proverbs 11:28 (trust in God vs. trusting in riches)

- Matthew 6:19-21 (treasures in heaven)

- Isaiah 40:31 (renewed strength in waiting)

- Jesus (fulfilling trust in the Father; teaching on storing treasures in heaven)

- David (royal psalmist who models trust under pressure)

- Paul (theology of weakness and reliance on God’s strength)

- Moses (leader who embodies faithful waiting)