The Book of Psalms
Psalm 62
Psalm LXII · Vol. II, p. 1026
1 David, professing his confidence in God, discourageth his enemies. 5 In the same confidence he encourageth the godly. 9 No trust is to be put in worldly things. 11 Power and mercy belong to God.
To the chief musician, to aJeduthun, A psalm of David.
2 Hed only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence;3 eI shall not be greatly moved.
d ver.6,8; Ps.73.25,26; 46.1,7; 142.4,5; 9.9; 59.9,17. Na.1.6.
3 Heb. high places.
e Ps.37.24. Mi.7.8. 2 Co.4.8,9. 1 Co.10.13.
3 Howg long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: has a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
g Ps.4.2; 38.12; 55.12. 1 Sa.24.14; 26.20.
h Is.30.13. Ps.73.18-20; 64.7. 1 Th.5.3.
4 Theyi only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.4 Selah.5
6 He konly is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence: I shall not be moved.
k Ps.18.31,32; 3.3; 91.1,2. Je.3.23. Ho.1.7. Is.45.17,22.
7 In God is my salvation and my lglory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
l Je.9.23,24. Ps.3.3. Is.45.25; 60.19. 1 Co.1.31.
8 Trustn in him at all times; ye people, opour out your heart6 before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
n Is.26.4; 28.16. Ps.2.12; 13.5; 22.4,5.
o La.2.19. Ps.42.4; 102. title. 1 Sa.1.15. Phi.4.6,19. Mat.7.7,11.
6 Pour out the sins, weaknesses, sorrows, perplexities, wishes, desires, gratitude, joys and purposes—all the contents of your hearts—either in confession, petition, or thanksgiving.—C.
9 Surely pmen of low degree are vanity,7 and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether8 lighter than vanity.
A.M. cir. 2946 or 2983. B.C. cir. 1058 or 1021.
p Is.40.15-17; 2.22. Ps.39.5,11; 8.4. Je.17.5,6.
7 Vanity—an exhalation, a vapour, smoke—dark, incohesive, and easily driven before every wind.—C.
8 Or, alike.
10 Trustq not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: rif riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
q Je.17.11. Job 20.19-28. Ps.52.7.
r Job xviii. xx. xxvii.; 31.25. Lu.12.15-20. 1 Ti.6.9,10,17.
Notes
Ver. 1. The speaker is one who boldly affirms, ver. 6, 'I shall not be moved.' He who can so speak cannot be David the son of Jesse, who was subject to so many vicissitudes; but his greater Son, who was never 'moved' from his purpose of grace, and cannot be 'moved' from his kingdom of glory. C.
Ver. 3. The second clause of this verse may be translated as follows:—' How long will ye assail (or attempt to slay)? all of you shall be as a bowing wall, a tottering fence;' that is, though you attempt my life, ye shall fail; you will fall to the ground helpless as a shattered wall. P.
Ver. 9. A lie—not necessarily liars, but a lie, appearing to enjoy happiness, and secure a stable perpetuity, yet subject to as many sorrows and vicissitudes as the men of 'low degree,' by whom they are so often envied. C.
Ver. 10. Neither the pursuit, nor the acquirement, nor the possession of riches, is evil: the evil lies in the 'love of money,' and the consequent expulsion of God from the heart, 1 Jn. 2. 15. C.
Ver. 12. The general idea is that rank, wealth, worldly power, though good and useful in themselves when fairly acquired and rightly used, can never secure peace, or free man from trouble and death. To God alone belongeth true power, and he alone can give an eternal reward. P.
Reflections.—Patient and submissive resignation of our souls to God is the certain mean of a happy issue of all our troubles. He is the alone author and finisher of all our salvation. In so doing corruptions and temptations can shake us, but not drive us, either fully or finally, from grace. While liars and traitors meet with destruction from God, they who trust in him may defy hell or death to hurt them. In him they are saved, secured, strengthened, and protected; and in him, not in themselves, do they glory. The more their faith in him is exercised the stronger it becomes. The more we trust in men, or in worldly enjoyments, the more disappointment and hurt we shall meet with. But the more we depend on, cry to, or consider God, we shall find the more pleasure, safety, and comfort. The mercy and power which we see in him shall be employed to furnish, protect, and reward us, and to cut off our enemies.