Psalms 62

Psalms 62:1-7

This psalm forms compiled under some of his persecution; wherein, 1. David professeth his confidence in God and dependents upon him, and irreverently himself to continue waiting in him, ver. 1-7. 2. With a great deal of earnestly he causes and repugneth others to trust in God likewise, and not in any creature, ver. 8-12.

1. • TRULY ‘my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.’ 2. ‘He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; shall not be greatly moved. 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. 4. They only consult to call him down from his excellency, they delight in lies: ’they bled with their mouth, but they curle inwardly. Selah. 5. ‘My soul, wait thou only upon God: for my expectation is from him. 6. He only is ‘my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge to in God.

David here.

1. Profeffes his confidence in God for protection and safety: as he made him alone his rock and defence, he waited, or was alone, as it may be rendered; without impatience or difficult expected to be the salvation of God. Numerous and mischievous as his foes were, he knew he should not be greatly moved; tempted he might be, in difficulties and dangers, but still safe under the defence of the Almighty. Note, (1.) Patient and submissive resignation of our souls to God, is the certain way to a happy issue out of all our afflictions. (2.) God is the alone author and finisher of our salvation; as in his eternal counsels he contrived the wondrous scheme; by his sovereign and effectual grace he compleats his purpose, and prepares us for the kingdom he hath prepared for us. (3.) Though we may be moved, through temptation and corruption, we shall not be suffered to fall finally and eternally.

2. He forefes the ruin of his enemies, whose character he describes, v. 3, 4. They were mischievous; plotted how to deprive him of his crown and dignity, delighted to propagate lies to injure him; and with perishous treachery, whilst they professed outward kindness, their hearts within rankled with malice. But vain were their designs to thrall him down whom God would exalt: destined to the sword, they should fall; and, as a bowing wall and tottering fence, so weak would be their wicked attempts, and as easily overturned. Note, (1.) A lying tongue will be the curse of its owner. (2.) Traitors will find an avenging God. (3.) They who trust in God may defy all their enemies to hurt them.

3. He encourages his soul to wait only upon God, and strengthens his faith in him by a variety of epithets. My rock, who can move me? my salvation, who can destroy me? my defence, who can hurt me? my glory, therefore it cannot fade; my strength, to make me more than conqueror; my refuge, under whose wings I shall be eternally safe. Note, (1.) They are truly blessed and happy who can say, ‘This God is my God.’ (2.) The expectation of the faithful cometh only from God, he is to them all and in all. (3.) The believer’s rejoicing is never in himself, but in his exalted head, he will ever say, ‘My God is my glory.’

4. Trust in him at all times; ye people, ‘pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. 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. 10. ‘Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: ‘if riches increase, let not your hearts upon them. 11. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this, that I power belongeth unto God. 12. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for ’thou rendeth to every man according to his work.

Psalms 62:8-12

His own experience of the blessedness of dependence upon God, urges him to invite all to come and taste

the same felicity. ‘Trust in him at all times; ye people, ye people of Israel, and all the Israel of God, wherever disinclined, or however disinclined, at all times make God your trust, to guide, protect, preserve, and strengthen you; pour out your heart before him, in earnest and importunate prayer, and tell him of all your troubles with freedom: for God is a refuge for us; for me, and for you, and all that fly to him as their rock and hope alone, renouncing every other ground of confidence, which would be utterly insufficient to support their souls. He cautions them therefor.

1. Not to trust in men, neither of high or low degree, whose multitudes, or greatness, or wisdom, can afford us to safety; they are deceitful helps, and in the day of trial will prove lighter than vanity. Note, The more we excite from man, and entirely cleave to God, the more secure shall we be from disappointment.

2. Not to trust in riches, however obtained, whether by oppression or extortion, by open violence or robbery; or by the most lawful means, honest labour or inheritance, v. 10. Note, Gain is often a great foe to godliness, and gold too often made the rival of God in the heart: a state of prosperity is exceeding dangerous, and they who are in it, have as much need to pray in all time of their wealth as of their tribulation, Good Lord deliver us!

3. He exhorts them to trust in God as their never-failing refuge; and this because of his faithfulness, power, mercy, and justice. He hath spoken once, yea never, confirming the souls of his people by his word and oath; two immutable things, in which it is impossible for us to be deprived. His consequence more dare encounter; his mercy is infinite, and we may therefore always hope in it; and his justice impartial; therefore shall the enemies of his name and people be destroyed, and those who were oppressed with wrong be vindicated. Good reason then there is, that at all times he should be alone exalted as our only hope and help. Note, The more we consider God’s perfections and promises, as manifested to us in a covenant of grace, the more cause we shall see to depend on him as our Almighty strength, to trust him as infinite in goodness and abundant in mercy, and to expect from him present protection and eternal glory.