Psalm 62

Psalm 62

My Only Rock, My Only Salvation

Scripture Text

Psalm 62:1, “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”

Psalm 62:2, “He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.”

Psalm 62:3, “How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.”

Psalm 62:4, “They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.”

Psalm 62:5, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”

Psalm 62:6, “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.”

Psalm 62:7, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”

Psalm 62:8, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

Psalm 62:9, “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.”

Psalm 62:10, “Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”

Psalm 62:11, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.”

Psalm 62:12, “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.”

Introduction

Psalm 62 is a psalm of David, written to the chief musician and connected with Jeduthun. Jeduthun was one of the worship leaders appointed by David for the public worship of Israel. This means Psalm 62 was not merely private reflection, it was inspired truth prepared for the worshiping congregation. David’s personal confidence in God became instruction for the people of God.

The central theme of the psalm is exclusive trust in God. David repeatedly uses the language of “only,” “alone,” and “surely.” The idea is that God is not one refuge among many. He is the only true refuge. God is not one source of salvation among several. He is the only source of salvation. God is not one rock that stands beside human strength, riches, position, or political power. He alone is the Rock, salvation, defense, glory, strength, and refuge of His people.

Psalm 62 is unusual because David appears to be under pressure, yet he does not begin with panic. He does not open with complaint, fear, or urgent petition. Instead, he begins with quiet confidence. He does mention enemies, lies, betrayal, vanity, oppression, robbery, and riches, but the dominant note is not fear. The dominant note is settled trust. David’s soul is learning to be silent before God because the matter rests in God’s hands.

This psalm is especially useful for believers who are tempted to trust in men, money, position, manipulation, strength, or schemes. David strips those false refuges down to nothing. Men of low degree are vanity. Men of high degree are a lie. Oppression and robbery cannot be trusted. Riches may increase, but the heart must not be set upon them. Power belongs to God, and mercy belongs to God. Therefore, the soul must wait upon God alone.

Psalm 62:1

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”

David begins with the word “Truly,” expressing certainty, seriousness, and settled conviction. The meaning is close to “only” or “alone.” David is saying that his soul waits upon God alone. This is not passive laziness. It is not indifference. It is surrendered dependence. His soul has stopped arguing, stopped scheming, stopped scrambling for a human answer, and has placed its confidence upon the Lord.

The phrase “my soul waiteth upon God” describes inward stillness before God. David’s circumstances may have been noisy, but his soul is being quieted before the Lord. Waiting upon God does not mean the believer does nothing in practical life. David was a king, a warrior, a leader, and a man of responsibility. But beneath his actions, his confidence rested in God, not in himself.

This is a difficult lesson for the natural man. The flesh wants to reason when it should believe. It wants to force an outcome when it should trust. It wants to run ahead when it should obey. It wants to control when it should surrender. David’s soul is brought to silence because he understands that salvation does not come from human pressure, clever strategy, or earthly security. Salvation comes from God.

David says, “from him cometh my salvation.” This is the foundation of his peace. Salvation here includes rescue, deliverance, preservation, and ultimate security. David knew that if deliverance came, it would come from the Lord. He did not deny the reality of trouble, but he knew the source of salvation.

Psalm 37:7, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”

Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Lamentations 3:25, “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

The believer’s soul must learn what David’s soul learned. God is not merely helpful. God is necessary. The soul that waits upon Him is not wasting time, it is standing in the only place where true salvation can be found.

Psalm 62:2

“He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.”

David now gives several titles for God. “He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence.” The repetition of “only” is essential. David does not say that God is his main rock while other things are lesser rocks. He does not say God is his greatest salvation while other things also save. He says God only is his rock and salvation.

God as “my rock” speaks of stability, firmness, permanence, and strength. A rock does not shift like sand. A rock stands when storms come. David had known physical rocks as hiding places in the wilderness, but here the Lord Himself is the true Rock. God is not merely the giver of safety. God is safety.

God as “my salvation” means that David’s deliverance is found in the Lord. David’s hope is not in military advantage, royal authority, personal courage, or political loyalty. Those things may have their place, but they cannot bear the weight of ultimate trust.

God as “my defence” means fortress, high place, and secure stronghold. David not only hides in God, he is upheld by God. The Lord is not merely his defender from the outside, He is his actual protection.

David concludes, “I shall not be greatly moved.” This does not mean David expects never to feel pressure. The word “greatly” is important. David may be shaken, but he will not be overthrown. He may feel the impact of trouble, but he will not be destroyed. Faith does not always remove trembling, but it prevents final collapse.

Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:2, “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”

David’s confidence is not confidence in David. It is confidence in the unmovable character of God. The man who stands on God may feel the storm, but he does not have to be swept away by it.

Psalm 62:3

“How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.”

David now addresses his enemies. His faith in God does not mean he is unaware of evil men. He sees them clearly. He knows they are imagining mischief against him. This means they are plotting, devising, and calculating harm. Their opposition is not accidental. It is deliberate.

The phrase “How long” expresses both rebuke and moral astonishment. David is confronting the persistence of the wicked. They continue in their schemes as though God does not see. They imagine that if they push long enough, deceive well enough, and coordinate strongly enough, they can bring down the man God has established.

David warns them, “ye shall be slain all of you.” This is not personal revenge in the flesh. It is a recognition that God judges wickedness. Those who build their lives on lies, betrayal, and rebellion against God’s order are not secure. They may look strong for a season, but judgment is coming.

The image of “a bowing wall” and “a tottering fence” pictures instability. A wall that bows outward is already failing. A fence that totters is ready to fall. Whether David is describing himself as someone his enemies think is weak, or describing his enemies as unstable despite their pride, the image makes the point clear. Human strength without God is fragile. Wicked schemes may appear strong, but they are already leaning toward collapse.

Psalm 37:12, “The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.”

Psalm 37:13, “The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.”

Proverbs 24:19, “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked,”

Proverbs 24:20, “For there shall be no reward to the evil man, the candle of the wicked shall be put out.”

The believer should not be naïve about wickedness. David was not. But neither should the believer be ruled by fear of wicked men. God sees the schemes of the enemy, and no conspiracy can stand unless God permits it for His purposes.

Psalm 62:4

“They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.”

David describes the character of his enemies. “They only consult to cast him down from his excellency.” Their counsel, planning, and conversation are consumed with bringing down the man God has raised up. This is the spirit of envy, rebellion, and malice. They cannot build righteousness, so they devote themselves to tearing down what God has established.

“They delight in lies.” This is a serious moral indictment. They do not merely tell lies under pressure. They enjoy lies. Falsehood is their tool, their language, and their delight. Sin has reached a deep level when a man not only commits it, but loves it.

“They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.” David exposes hypocrisy. Outwardly, they speak blessing. Inwardly, they harbor hatred. Their words and hearts do not match. They flatter while plotting. They speak peace while planning destruction. This is the kind of duplicity that often surrounds leadership, especially when a man is in a position of responsibility.

Psalm 55:21, “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.”

Proverbs 26:24, “He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him,”

Proverbs 26:25, “When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.”

The verse ends with “Selah.” The reader is meant to pause. The wickedness of lying lips and inward cursing should not be passed over lightly. God’s people must understand the seriousness of deceit. A man may hide his hatred from other men, but he cannot hide it from God.

Psalm 62:5

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”

David now speaks to his own soul. In verse 1, he stated that his soul waits upon God. Here, he commands his soul to continue waiting upon God alone. This is spiritually important. The believer must sometimes preach truth to his own heart. Feelings must be instructed. Fear must be corrected. Anxiety must be brought under the authority of truth.

David says, “wait thou only upon God.” The word “only” again stands at the center. David is not telling his soul to wait partly on God and partly on men. He is not telling his soul to wait partly on God and partly on money. He is not telling his soul to wait partly on God and partly on political advantage. His expectation is from God.

“For my expectation is from him.” Expectation speaks of hope, outcome, future confidence, and anticipated deliverance. David refuses to place his hope in unstable things. He expects help from God because God alone is worthy of that kind of trust.

Psalm 42:5, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

Psalm 130:5, “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.”

Psalm 130:6, “My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”

This verse teaches spiritual discipline. A believer cannot always control the first wave of emotion, but he must not allow emotion to govern his theology. David brings his soul back to God. That is not weakness. That is mature faith.

Psalm 62:6

“He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.”

David repeats the language of verse 2, but with a stronger conclusion. Earlier he said, “I shall not be greatly moved.” Now he says, “I shall not be moved.” Confidence has grown. The truth has settled deeper. As David meditates on God, fear loses ground.

“He only is my rock and my salvation.” Repetition in Scripture is not wasted space. It is emphasis. David repeats what his soul must remember. The believer often needs repeated truth more than new information. The problem is not always that the believer does not know the truth, but that the truth must be pressed again into the heart under pressure.

“He is my defence.” David does not merely believe that God defends people generally. He says, “my defence.” Faith lays hold of God personally. It is not enough to say God is a refuge. The believer must say, “God is my refuge.” It is not enough to say Christ is the Savior. One must personally trust Him as Savior.

“I shall not be moved.” This is not arrogance. David is not boasting in his own courage. He is boasting in the reliability of God. If the Lord is his Rock, salvation, and defense, then David cannot finally be moved from the place of divine security.

Psalm 16:8, “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

Hebrews 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

The believer’s stability grows as his attention remains fixed upon God. David’s circumstances may not have changed between verse 2 and verse 6, but his confidence has deepened through meditation on the Lord.

Psalm 62:7

“In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”

David expands the confession. “In God is my salvation and my glory.” His salvation is in God, meaning his rescue and deliverance rest in the Lord. But his glory is also in God. David’s honor, dignity, identity, and true worth are not found in his throne, reputation, victories, or approval from men. They are found in God.

This is a strong word for any believer who holds responsibility or public position. David was king, yet he did not root his glory in the crown. A man’s office can be taken. Reputation can be attacked. Wealth can disappear. Human approval can turn in a day. But glory that is in God cannot be stolen by men.

“The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” David gathers the images together. God is the rock beneath him, the strength within him, and the refuge around him. He is not divided in his trust. His salvation, glory, strength, and refuge are all in God.

Jeremiah 9:23, “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:”

Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”

1 Corinthians 1:31, “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

David brands the promises of God with personal faith. God is not merely salvation, He is my salvation. God is not merely a rock, He is my rock. God is not merely refuge, He is my refuge. This is the language of living faith.

Psalm 62:8

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

David now turns from speaking about himself to instructing the people. What has been good for David is good for all God’s people. “Trust in him at all times.” Trust is not seasonal. Trust is not only for peaceful days. Trust is not only for desperate days. The people of God must trust Him at all times, in prosperity and adversity, in clarity and confusion, in strength and weakness, in public victory and private sorrow.

“Pour out your heart before him.” This is one of the most tender commands in the psalm. The God who is called a rock is not cold, distant, or unfeeling. He is strong enough to be trusted and compassionate enough to receive the poured out heart. The believer is invited to empty the burden before God, not partially, not with religious pretense, but honestly.

To pour out the heart means to bring grief, fear, disappointment, confession, sorrow, longing, questions, and hope before the Lord. God is not honored by fake spirituality. He is honored when His people trust Him enough to come honestly before Him.

1 Samuel 1:15, “And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.”

Psalm 142:2, “I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.”

1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

“God is a refuge for us.” David does not say God is only a refuge for kings, prophets, priests, or especially strong believers. He is a refuge for us. The people of God are invited to come. The cities of refuge in Israel received the pursued man who fled for safety. In a far greater way, God receives those who run to Him in faith.

The verse ends with “Selah.” The command deserves meditation. Trust Him at all times. Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us. These truths are not to be rushed past. They are to be carried into the soul.

Psalm 62:9

“Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.”

David now warns against trusting in man. “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie.” Men of low degree refers to common men, those without great social power or influence. Men of high degree refers to those with rank, wealth, authority, and reputation. David covers both ends of society. The poor cannot save you. The powerful cannot save you. Ordinary men are not enough. Elite men are not enough.

This does not mean people are worthless as image bearers of God. Scripture teaches that man is made in the image of God. The point is that man is worthless as an object of ultimate trust. A man may be willing to help but lack ability. Another man may have ability but lack faithfulness. Even the best man is mortal, limited, and dependent.

“To be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.” David pictures humanity being placed on scales. When weighed as a source of ultimate confidence, mankind is lighter than vapor. There is no substance strong enough to bear the weight of trust that belongs only to God.

Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

Psalm 118:9, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”

Isaiah 2:22, “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?”

Jeremiah 17:5, “Thus saith the LORD, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”

The point is not merely that believers have nothing to fear from man, although that is true when God is their refuge. The point here is that believers have nothing ultimate to hope from man. Human help has limits. God alone is worthy of final expectation.

Psalm 62:10

“Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”

David gives three warnings. First, “Trust not in oppression.” Oppression is the use of power to crush, exploit, manipulate, or dominate others. David had seen men use force to gain advantage. He warns that such power is not a safe refuge. A man may gain through oppression for a season, but God sees it, and God will judge.

Second, “and become not vain in robbery.” Robbery refers to dishonest gain, taking what does not belong to you, whether by force, fraud, abuse of position, or deceit. David warns that stolen gain is vain. It produces false confidence. It may increase possessions, but it destroys the soul.

Third, “if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” This warning is especially wise because David does not only condemn wickedly obtained wealth. He also warns about riches that increase. Wealth may grow lawfully through labor, inheritance, business, investment, or providence. But even honest increase becomes spiritually dangerous if the heart is set upon it.

There are several ways a man may set his heart upon riches. He may take excessive pleasure in them, making money the source of his joy. He may place his security in them, assuming wealth can protect him from all trouble. He may become proud because of them, thinking himself superior to others. He may begin to measure God’s favor only by financial increase. All of these are spiritually dangerous.

David was a wealthy king, so he was not speaking as a man who knew nothing about riches. He knew both hardship and abundance. His warning is balanced. Riches themselves are not evil, but trusting riches is evil. Wealth may be held, managed, invested, used, given, and stewarded, but it must not own the heart.

Proverbs 23:4, “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.”

Proverbs 23:5, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings, they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

1 Timothy 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy,”

1 Timothy 6:18, “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate,”

1 Timothy 6:19, “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

This verse is not anti wealth. It is anti idolatry. A man may possess riches without trusting them, but he must be watchful. Riches are useful tools, but cruel gods. They can serve a faithful man, but they will enslave a foolish man.

Psalm 62:11

“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.”

David now summarizes a truth deeply engraved into his soul. “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this.” This expression means that God has spoken clearly, and David has received it with certainty. The truth has been repeated, confirmed, and established in his understanding.

“That power belongeth unto God.” Power belongs to God. It does not merely come from God as though He hands it away and loses possession of it. It belongs to Him. All true power is His by nature. Kings have delegated authority. Armies have limited strength. Wealth has temporary influence. Enemies have permitted ability. Satan himself has no independent power. God alone possesses power inherently, eternally, and sovereignly.

Because power belongs to God, David refuses to look elsewhere for strength. Because power belongs to God, David does not need to grasp for power through oppression or robbery. Because power belongs to God, David does not become arrogant about his own authority. Any power David held as king was delegated, accountable, and temporary.

1 Chronicles 29:11, “Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in earth is thine, thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.”

1 Chronicles 29:12, “Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”

Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

This truth is foundational to worship and courage. If power belongs to God, then no enemy has final authority. No government has final authority. No crisis has final authority. No wealthy man, violent man, lying man, or powerful man has final authority. God reigns.

Psalm 62:12

“Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.”

David does not stop with God’s power. He adds, “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy.” This is essential. Power without mercy would terrify the sinner. Mercy without power would be too weak to save. But the God of Scripture is both powerful and merciful. His strength is governed by His holy character, and His mercy is backed by omnipotent power.

The word “mercy” carries the meaning of loyal love, covenant faithfulness, lovingkindness, and steadfast grace. David knows that God is not merely strong. God is faithful to His covenant people. He is good. He is compassionate. He is dependable. His mercy belongs to Him as truly as power belongs to Him.

This is the only worthy view of God. If a man sees only God’s power, he may despair. If he imagines only mercy without holiness and authority, he creates a false god. Scripture reveals the Lord as both mighty and merciful.

Exodus 34:6, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,”

Exodus 34:7, “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

Psalm 103:8, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”

David then says, “for thou renderest to every man according to his work.” This statement brings accountability into view. God’s mercy does not mean moral indifference. He judges rightly. He rewards righteousness and judges wickedness. The world may ignore the faithful man, despise the righteous, and reward the wicked for a time, but God will render rightly.

This is not salvation by works in contradiction to the gospel. Scripture is clear that sinners are saved by grace through faith, not by works. But Scripture also teaches that God judges works as evidence of the heart and rewards His people according to faithfulness.

Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Ephesians 2:9, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Romans 2:6, “Who will render to every man according to his deeds:”

2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

David’s final theology is balanced and strong. Power belongs to God. Mercy belongs to God. Judgment belongs to God. Therefore, trust belongs to God alone.

Doctrinal Summary

Psalm 62 teaches that God alone is the proper object of ultimate trust. David does not deny the existence of enemies, deceit, betrayal, social rank, wealth, or political power. He simply refuses to treat any of them as ultimate. His soul waits upon God because salvation comes from God. His stability comes from God. His expectation comes from God. His glory, strength, and refuge are in God.

The psalm also teaches the necessity of speaking truth to the soul. David commands his own soul to wait upon God alone. This is spiritual discipline. The believer must not allow fear, anger, betrayal, financial pressure, or human opposition to become the ruling voice within. The soul must be brought back under the authority of God’s revealed truth.

Psalm 62 also gives a sober warning about false refuges. Men of low degree are vanity. Men of high degree are a lie. Oppression and robbery cannot be trusted. Riches may increase, but the heart must not be set upon them. David is not condemning lawful wealth, leadership, work, or stewardship. He is condemning misplaced trust. Anything placed in the position that belongs only to God becomes an idol.

The psalm concludes with the twin truths of God’s power and mercy. Power belongs to God, so the believer does not need to fear man. Mercy belongs to God, so the believer may pour out his heart before Him. God is strong enough to save and merciful enough to receive the burdened soul. This is why David can say, “God is a refuge for us.”