When Saul was seeking David's life, Jonathan went to him secretly, and "strengthened his hand in God" (1 Samuel 23:16); and when David's followers in a fit of blind exasperation threatened to stone him, he "strengthened himself in Jehovah his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). In the face of treacherous plots ag... [ Continue Reading ]
_Truly_ The particle _ak_is characteristic of this Ps., in which it occurs six times, and of Psalms 39, in which it occurs four times. It stands at the beginning of Psalms 62:1_; Psalms 62:4; Psalms 62:9_. It may be affirmative, -truly," -surely," or restrictive, -only." Either sense will suit, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Patiently the Psalmist awaits God's help, and remonstrates with his enemies for their malice and hypocrisy.... [ Continue Reading ]
The same titles _my rock, my salvation, my high tower_, are combined in Psalms 18:2. The title _Rock_is frequently used to symbolise the strength, faithfulness, and unchangeableness of Jehovah: here (cp. Psalms 61:7) with the special thought of an asylum in danger. _I shall not be greatly moved_ In... [ Continue Reading ]
_How long_ For the indignant remonstrance cp. Psalms 4:2, noting also the connexion of that verse with Psalms 62:4_; Psalms 62:7; Psalms 62:9_of this Psalm. God is on his side; they cannot harm him; how long will they persist in the futile attempt? _will ye imagine mischief against a man?_ This rend... [ Continue Reading ]
Only to thrust him down from his dignity have they taken counsel, delighting in a lie: With his mouth doth each of them bless, but inwardly they curse. Their plot is -a lie," false in its principle and in its aim (Psalms 4:2, note); and they have been guilty of the grossest hypocrisy and duplicity... [ Continue Reading ]
Only unto God be thou silent, my soul, For from him cometh my hope. It is only by constant self-exhortation that the calmness of Psalms 62:1 can be maintained, especially when the recollection of his enemies" double-faced behaviour stirs his indignation. Cp. Psalms 37:7. -My hope" = -my salvation... [ Continue Reading ]
The opening verses are repeated, with slight variations, leading up to an exhortation to the Psalmist's sympathisers to trust in God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_my defence_ My high tower, as in Psalms 62:2. _I shall not be moved_ Perhaps the omission of -greatly" (Psalms 62:2) marks a growing faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
_In God_ R.V., With God, lit, _upon God_(cp. Psalms 7:10, note). It rests with God to deliver him and defend his honour; his personal reputation and (if the speaker is David) his royal dignity. See Psalms 4:2, note. is _in God_ Or, _consists in God_, is God (Psalms 62:6_; Psalms 62:8_). Cp. Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
Render in accordance with the Massoretic punctuation, Trust ye in him at all times, O people. He exhorts his faint-hearted followers, who were in danger of being carried away by the show of power on Absalom's side. Cp. 2 Samuel 17:2 ff for -people" used of David's adherents. It is unnecessary to fol... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely_ Lit., as before, _only_. Nought but vanity are men, (nought but) a lie are great men. Only a mere breath which vanishes, an imposture which deludes those who trust them, are all men, whatever may be their rank. For the phrases _bnç âdâm, bnç îsh_, -low" and -high," see Psalms 49:2. In Psalm... [ Continue Reading ]
Trust in God, I say, and not in man or in material force. God's strength and love are the guarantee for the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the righteous.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first two lines (cp. Psalms 62:9 _a_, Psalms 62:11 _a, b_) are a rhythmical division of what is logically one sentence: put not vain trust in oppression and robbery." Do not rely, for you will only be deceived, upon wealth and material resources amassed by violence and wrong, instead of trusting... [ Continue Reading ]
Once, yea twice, i.e. repeatedly (Job 33:14; Job 40:5) has God spoken and the Psalmist heard (Psalms 85:8) the double truth which supplies the answer to such temptations; That strength belongeth unto God, And that unto thee, O Lord, belongeth lovingkindness. He has the power and He has the will;... [ Continue Reading ]