Psalms 62:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Also to you, Adonai, belongs grace; for you reward all as their deeds deserve.

Berean Standard Bible:

and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds.

American Standard Version:

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth lovingkindness; For thou renderest to every man according to his work.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Also unto thee, O Lord{H136}, belongeth mercy{H2617}: for thou renderest{H7999}{H8762)} to every man{H376} according to his work{H4639}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Matthew 16:27

  • For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Job 34:11

  • For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.

Psalms 103:8

  • The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Psalms 86:15

  • But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Exodus 34:6

  • And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Exodus 34:7

  • Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].

Romans 2:6

  • Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

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Commentary for Psalms 62:12

Psalm 62:12, which reads, "Also unto thee, O Lord, [belongeth] mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work," encapsulates two profound theological themes that resonate throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. The first theme is the attribute of God's mercy, emphasizing that compassion and forgiveness are inherent to the divine nature. The psalmist acknowledges that mercy is not something that humans can claim as their own; rather, it is a divine quality that originates from God alone.

The second theme is the principle of divine retribution or justice, which asserts that God will judge each person based on their actions. This verse reflects the belief in a moral order where individuals reap what they sow, a concept that is echoed in various forms throughout the Old Testament. The idea is that God is not only a merciful being but also a just one, who will fairly assess each person's deeds.

Historically, this verse would have been particularly meaningful to the ancient Israelites, who lived within a covenantal relationship with God. They understood their prosperity and well-being as tied to their obedience to God's law. The promise that God would render to every man according to his work would have been both a warning and a comfort—a warning to those who might be tempted to stray from God's commandments, and a comfort to the righteous who could trust in God's justice, especially in times when the wicked seemed to prosper.

In summary, Psalm 62:12 succinctly expresses the dual nature of God's relationship with humanity: a merciful disposition that offers grace and a just character that ensures fair recompense for human actions. This verse would have reinforced the Israelites' confidence in God's sovereignty and righteousness, serving as a cornerstone for their ethical and spiritual life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H136
    There are 910 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֲדֹנָי
    Transliteration: ʼĂdônây
    Pronunciation: ad-o-noy'
    Description: an emphatic form of אָדוֹן; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only); (my) Lord.
  2. Strong's Number: H2617
    There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֵסֵד
    Transliteration: chêçêd
    Pronunciation: kheh'-sed
    Description: from חָסַד; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty; favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
  3. Strong's Number: H7999
    There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁלַם
    Transliteration: shâlam
    Pronunciation: shaw-lam'
    Description: a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications); make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely.
  4. Strong's Number: H376
    There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִישׁ
    Transliteration: ʼîysh
    Pronunciation: eesh
    Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
  5. Strong's Number: H4639
    There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַעֲשֶׂה
    Transliteration: maʻăseh
    Pronunciation: mah-as-eh'
    Description: from עָשָׂה; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property; act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought.