DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 62 David encourages himself and his friends to trust in God in their distress; and he warns the wicked of pending judgment. The painting above of a landscape with ruins illustrates the (already) ruined state of the wicked (v. 3) who are ready to fall by God's judgment at any time.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalms 4. 2 Samuel 15 - 18. Psalms 39. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 62 - #1. Psalm 62 - #2. Psalm 62 - #3. Psalm 62 - #4. Psalm 62 - #5. Psalm 62 - #6. Psalm 62 - #7. ]

     In this Psalm David tells us that his soul waits on God because his deliverance comes from him. God alone is his rock, his salvation, and his defense. He will not be greatly moved. He therefore asks his enemies how long they will imagine mischief against him; and he warns them that they all will be slain and that they will be like a bowing wall and a tottering fence -- ready to fall at any time. He says that they plot to cast him down from his excellency. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth; but they curse inwardly (1-4). But he encourages his soul to wait on God because his expectationis form him. He alone is David's rock and his deliverance. He will not be moved because God is his defense. God is his deliverance and his glory, his strength, and his refuge. So he exhorts his hearers to trust in God at all times and pour out their hearts before him because God is a refuge for all of us (5-8). Men of every type (low or high) are empty, full of lies, and lighter than emptiness. So he cautions them not to trust in oppression, in robbery, or in riches. God has said, and has emphasized, that power belongs to God. Mercy also belongs to God. He gives to every man according to their work (9-12).

Truly my soul waiteth upon God:
from him cometh my salvation.
² He only is my rock and my salvation;
he is my defence;
I 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 cast him down from his excellency:
they delight in lies:
they bless with their mouth, but they curse 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, is in God.
⁸ 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, 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.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]