PSALM 62

Ps 62:1-12. To Jeduthun—(See on [603]Ps 39:1, title). The general tone of this Psalm is expressive of confidence in God. Occasion is taken to remind the wicked of their sin, their ruin, and their meanness.

1. waiteth—literally, "is silent," trusts submissively and confidently as a servant.

2. The titles applied to God often occur (Ps 9:9; 18:2).

be greatly moved—(Ps 10:6). No injury shall be permanent, though devised by enemies.

3. Their destruction will come; as a tottering wall they already are feeble and failing.

bowing wall shall ye be—better supply "are." Some propose to apply these phrases to describe the condition of "a man"—that is, the pious suffer: thus, "Will ye slay him," &c.; but the other is a good sense.

4. his excellency—or, elevation to which God had raised him (Ps 4:2). This they try to do by lies and duplicity (Ps 5:9).

5, 6. (Compare Ps 62:1, 2).

6. not be moved—not at all; his confidence has increased.

7. rock of my strength—or strongest support (Ps 7:10; 61:3).

8. pour out your heart—give full expression to feeling (1Sa 1:15; Job 30:16; Ps 42:4).

ye people—God's people.

9. No kind of men are reliable, compared with God (Isa 2:22; Jer 17:5).

altogether—alike, one as the other (Ps 34:3).

10. Not only are oppression and robbery, which are wicked means of wealth, no grounds of boasting; but even wealth, increasing lawfully, ought not to engross the heart.

11. once; twice—(as in Job 33:14; 40:5), are used to give emphasis to the sentiment. God's power is tempered by His mercy, which it also sustains.

12. for thou renderest—literally, "that Thou renderest," &c., connected with "I heard this," as the phrase—"that power," &c. [Ps 62:11]—teaching that by His power He can show both mercy and justice.