62:title music director See note on 4:title.

on Jeduthun See note on 39:title.

A psalm of David See note on 3:title.

62:1 my soul waits in silence Rather than continually crying out to God (compare 22:2), the psalmist quietly waits for Him, confident that He will bring salvation (see 37:7).

62:2 Only he Asserts trust in God alone—He is the only one who can deliver the psalmist and provide him with safety and security.

is my rock The Hebrew word used here, tsur, describes a secure location and emphasizes Yahweh’s protection.

my salvation The Hebrew word used here yeshu'ah—which may be rendered “salvation” or “deliverance”—refers to the liberation God provides from hazards and problems.

my high stronghold The Hebrew word used here, misgav, describes a high wall or rocky fortress. It emphasizes the stable protection God provides for those in need.

I shall not be greatly shaken The Hebrew verb used here, mot, expresses a lack of security and safety.

62:3 How long will you attack a man? All of you The psalmist addresses his enemies. He describes them as relentlessly attacking him, trying to bring him down as if he were a leaning wall.

62:4 they are pleased with deception Emphasizes the deceit and hypocrisy of the wicked. Not only are they deceitful, but they enjoy falsehood (see 58:3–5). They hypocritically pretend to bless people when they are actually cursing them (see 28:3).

62:7 my glory The Hebrew word here, kavod, can refer to honor or reputation (see note on 97:6). The psalmist stakes his reputation, as well as his salvation, on his trust in God.

62:8 Trust him at all times, O people The psalmist encourages people in general to trust God at all times (see 37:3 and note). Since God is their refuge, they can be confident as they trust Him.

Only a vapor are men of low degree Demonstrates the folly of trusting in people, who are all fleeting.

a deception are The Hebrew word used here, kazav, is also used in v. 4 to describe falsehood.

62:10 do not set your heart on it The psalmist warns against trusting in wealth—especially wealth gained illegally by extortion or robbery.

62:11 Once God has spoken The psalmist uses a numerical saying—a literary device common in Wisdom Literature—as he looks to God’s promises (see Prov 30:18 and note).

strength belongs to God This emphasizes God’s power to protect or save (see Ps 46:1 and note).

62:12 you will render to each The psalmist upholds God’s justice. He trusts that God will give to each person what they deserve, based on their deeds—and by extension, based on whether or not they repent and turn to God. This type of divine retribution is common in Wisdom Literature (see Prov 24:12; Job 34:11).