62 1-2 God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life.

3-4 How long will you gang up on me?
    How long will you run with the bullies?
There’s nothing to you, any of you—
    rotten floorboards, worm-eaten rafters,
Anthills plotting to bring down mountains,
    far gone in make-believe.
You talk a good line,
    but every “blessing” breathes a curse.

5-6 God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life.

7-8 My help and glory are in God
    —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people;
    lay your lives on the line for him.
    God is a safe place to be.

Man as such is smoke,
    woman as such, a mirage.
Put them together, they’re nothing;
    two times nothing is nothing.

10 And a windfall, if it comes—
    don’t make too much of it.

11 God said this once and for all;
    how many times
Have I heard it repeated?
    “Strength comes
Straight from God.”

12 Love to you, Lord God!
    You pay a fair wage for a good day’s work!

Psalm 62[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

Truly my soul finds rest(A) in God;(B)
    my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock(C) and my salvation;(D)
    he is my fortress,(E) I will never be shaken.(F)

How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down—
    this leaning wall,(G) this tottering fence?
Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse.[b](H)

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;(I)
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.(J)
Trust in him at all times, you people;(K)
    pour out your hearts to him,(L)
    for God is our refuge.

Surely the lowborn(M) are but a breath,(N)
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance,(O) they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion(P)
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;(Q)
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them.(R)

11 One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,(S)
12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;(T)
and, “You reward everyone
    according to what they have done.”(U)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 62:1 In Hebrew texts 62:1-12 is numbered 62:2-13.
  2. Psalm 62:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 8.
  3. Psalm 62:7 Or / God Most High is my salvation and my honor

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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, set not your heart upon them.

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

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