Psalms 62:8

Translation
King James Version
¶ Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Trust H982 H8798 in him at all times H6256; ye people H5971, pour out H8210 H8798 your heart H3824 before H6440 him: God H430 is a refuge H4268 for us. Selah H5542.
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Complete Jewish Bible
Trust in him, people, at all times; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Selah)
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Berean Standard Bible
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
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American Standard Version
Trust in him at all times, ye people; Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. [Selah
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World English Bible Messianic
Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Trust in him alway, ye people: powre out your hearts before him, for God is our hope. Selah.
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Young's Literal Translation
Trust in Him at all times, O people, Pour forth before Him your heart, God is a refuge for us. Selah.
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See also
Philippians 4:6Lamentations 2:19Isaiah 26:4Psalms 142:21 Samuel 1:15Psalms 18:2Psalms 22:4
In the KJVVerse 14,836 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalm 62:8 is a profound and timeless invitation from David to all humanity, urging a consistent and unreserved trust in God, irrespective of life's circumstances. It functions as both a divine command and a comforting affirmation, emphasizing the critical need for believers to transparently disclose their deepest emotions and struggles to the Almighty. Simultaneously, it declares God's immutable character as the ultimate and secure sanctuary for His people. This verse encapsulates a foundational principle of biblical faith: a dynamic, intimate relationship built upon perpetual reliance and open communication with the One who remains an unshakeable refuge amidst all trials.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalm 62 is a deeply personal psalm of trust and lament that transitions into a communal exhortation. David begins by anchoring his soul's hope and salvation solely in God, declaring, "My soul waits in silence for God alone; from him comes my salvation" Psalms 62:1. He contrasts God's unwavering faithfulness with the deceitful and destructive nature of his enemies, who "plot only to thrust him down from his high position" Psalms 62:4. The psalmist then reiterates his personal commitment to wait patiently for God, finding his hope, strength, and salvation in Him alone Psalms 62:5-7. It is within this framework of profound personal conviction and experienced divine faithfulness that verse 8 serves as a pivotal bridge, extending David's individual testimony into a universal call, inviting "ye people" to adopt this same posture of perpetual reliance and radical vulnerability before God. The subsequent verses warn against the futility of trusting in human power or ill-gotten wealth Psalms 62:9-10, culminating in a powerful affirmation of God's sovereign power and steadfast love Psalms 62:11-12. Thus, Psalm 62:8 functions as a central imperative, drawing the reader into the psalmist's profound experience of God.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: Composed by David, Psalm 62 likely reflects a period of intense personal or national distress, a common backdrop for many of his psalms. While the specific historical occasion is not explicitly stated, the themes of betrayal, enemies, and the need for refuge resonate with episodes in David's life, such as Absalom's rebellion (recounted in 2 Samuel 15) or his relentless pursuit by King Saul (as seen in 1 Samuel 23). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of a "refuge" (machăçeh) was deeply tangible: it could be a fortified city, an inaccessible mountain stronghold, or a hidden cave where one could flee from military threats, natural disasters, or oppressive regimes. These places offered literal physical security and protection. David masterfully employs this powerful imagery, applying it to God, thereby portraying Him not merely as a temporary shelter but as the ultimate, unassailable, and ever-present haven for His people. The exhortation to "pour out your heart" also aligns with the ancient cultural practice of lament and supplication, where individuals would openly and passionately express their distress, grief, and petitions before their deity, often in public or communal settings, with the expectation of divine intervention and comfort.

  • Key Themes: Psalm 62:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes prominent within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of Unwavering Trust and Dependence on God. The command to trust "at all times" emphasizes that reliance on God should be continuous, absolute, and not merely situational. This stands in stark contrast to the futility of trusting in human strength, fleeting wealth, or worldly power, a point explicitly developed later in the psalm Psalms 62:9-10. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of Authentic Vulnerability and Intimacy in Prayer. The imperative to "pour out your heart" encourages a radical honesty before God, inviting believers to bring their full spectrum of emotions—their fears, sorrows, joys, anger, and confusion—without reservation. This deep level of transparent communication is a hallmark of a genuine, living relationship with God, frequently modeled in the laments of Jeremiah or the prayers of Job. Thirdly, the verse powerfully proclaims God as the Ultimate Refuge and Security. This theme is foundational to the Psalms, portraying God as the unshakeable rock, fortress, and stronghold, the supreme source of protection and stability in a chaotic and dangerous world. This profound truth provides the theological ground for the preceding commands to trust and to pour out one's heart, assuring believers that their vulnerability is met with divine strength, compassion, and unwavering protection. Finally, the inclusion of "Selah" points to the theme of Meditative Reflection, inviting the reader to pause and deeply internalize these profound truths about God's character and the appropriate human response.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Trust (Hebrew, bâṭach', H982): This primitive root conveys the idea of leaning on, relying upon, or feeling secure and confident in someone or something. It implies a sense of safety and assurance derived from dependence. In the biblical context, bâṭach is frequently used to describe reliance on God, contrasting sharply with the futility of trusting in human power, idols, or one's own strength. It denotes an active, ongoing posture of faith and confident expectation.
  • Pour out (Hebrew, shâphak', H8210): This primitive root literally means "to spill forth" or "to shed." When combined with "heart" (H3824, lêbâb), it forms a vivid idiom meaning to disclose fully, to empty oneself of one's thoughts, feelings, and burdens. It suggests an unreserved, complete, and often emotional disclosure, akin to emptying a vessel of its entire contents. This implies a raw, unfiltered honesty and vulnerability before God.
  • Refuge (Hebrew, machăçeh', H4268): This noun refers to a shelter, a place of safety, protection, or a haven from danger or distress. It signifies a secure dwelling or a place of retreat. In the Psalms, machăçeh is frequently used metaphorically for God, emphasizing His role as the ultimate protector and source of security for His people against all threats, both physical and spiritual. It denotes a place of ultimate safety and confidence.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Trust in him at all times;": This clause presents a direct, imperative command, a universal instruction to all people (implied, and then explicitly stated). The crucial phrase "at all times" emphasizes the continuous, unwavering, and unconditional nature of this trust. It is not a trust reserved solely for moments of crisis or prosperity, but rather a perpetual posture of the heart, encompassing every season of life—joy, sorrow, abundance, and adversity. It calls for a consistent reliance on God's unchanging character and unwavering faithfulness, recognizing His sovereign control over every aspect of existence.
  • "[ye] people, pour out your heart before him: This clause specifies the universal recipients of the command ("ye people," a broad invitation to all humanity) and elaborates on the profound nature of the trust. To "pour out your heart" is a powerful and evocative metaphor for complete and unreserved disclosure of one's inner being. It means bringing all emotions—joys, sorrows, fears, anxieties, frustrations, anger, and hopes—honestly and transparently before God, holding nothing back. The phrase "before him" underscores the intimacy and directness of this communication, implying God's attentive presence, His willingness to listen, and His compassionate reception of our deepest vulnerabilities.
  • "God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.": This declarative statement provides the foundational reason, assurance, and theological grounding for the preceding commands. God is presented not merely as a temporary shelter but as a permanent, utterly reliable source of protection, security, and comfort. He is the ultimate haven where His people can find unwavering safety from all dangers, distresses, and the chaos of the world. The inclusion of "us" makes this a communal truth, a shared experience of God's protective presence and faithfulness for His covenant people. "Selah" is a musical or meditative interlude, frequently appearing in the Psalms, which serves as a pause for profound reflection. Here, it invites the reader or worshiper to deeply ponder, internalize, and allow the weight of the profound truths just stated—the imperative to trust, the freedom to pour out one's heart, and the unwavering reality of God as an ultimate refuge—to settle deeply within their spirit.

Literary Devices

Psalm 62:8 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and comforting message. The primary device is Imperative, evident in the direct commands "Trust in him" and "pour out your heart," which are forceful instructions urging specific actions and postures of faith. This direct address creates a profound sense of urgency and personal responsibility for the hearer. Metaphor is powerfully utilized in "pour out your heart," transforming the abstract act of emotional disclosure into a tangible, vivid image of emptying oneself completely and unreservedly before God. Similarly, "God is a refuge" is a profound metaphor, likening God to a secure, impenetrable physical stronghold, thereby emphasizing His protective, sheltering, and unshakeable nature. The phrase "at all times" functions as an Adverbial Phrase of Time, underscoring the continuous, unwavering, and perpetual nature of the commanded trust. Finally, the inclusion of Selah acts as a Rhetorical Device or Interjection, serving as a deliberate pause for the reader or listener to meditate deeply on, internalize, and allow the profound truths of the preceding words to resonate and take root in their spirit. The verse, as a whole, functions as a concise yet powerful Exhortation, a strong encouragement to a particular course of action rooted in the immutable character and theological truth of God.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalm 62:8 masterfully synthesizes several profound theological truths, inviting believers into a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. It underscores the absolute sovereignty, trustworthiness, and immutability of God, presenting Him as the only truly reliable source of security and stability in a world perpetually characterized by uncertainty and peril. The command to "trust in him at all times" highlights the consistent biblical emphasis on an unwavering, enduring faith that transcends fleeting circumstances, echoing the pervasive call to depend on God's unchanging character rather than on ephemeral human strength or material possessions. Furthermore, the invitation to "pour out your heart" reveals God's profound desire for genuine, unreserved intimacy and transparent communication with His people, affirming that He is not a distant, indifferent deity but a compassionate, attentive Father who welcomes our deepest vulnerabilities, hears our cries, and embraces our full emotional spectrum. This radical vulnerability is met by the steadfast assurance that God is indeed a "refuge for us," a divine fortress providing ultimate protection, peace, and an unshakeable foundation for our lives.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalm 62:8 offers an enduring, vital, and profoundly relevant call for believers in every generation and circumstance. In a world that constantly shifts, disappoints, and often threatens, this verse anchors our hope and security in the unchanging, steadfast character of God. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial or conditional faith, urging a deep, consistent, and active trust that is not contingent on favorable circumstances or the absence of trials. To "pour out your heart" before God is an act of radical honesty, profound humility, and absolute dependence, a recognition that God is uniquely capable of handling our darkest fears, our deepest sorrows, our most fervent joys, and our most complex frustrations. It encourages a prayer life that is authentic, unreserved, and transparent, fostering true intimacy and communion with our Creator. When we genuinely embrace God as our ultimate refuge, we discover a peace that surpasses all human understanding, knowing that our ultimate security and well-being rest not in our own strength, worldly resources, or human relationships, but in the unwavering faithfulness, protective presence, and boundless compassion of the Almighty. This liberating truth empowers us to navigate life's inevitable storms with courage, resilience, and unwavering confidence, assured that our God is an ever-present help in every time of trouble.

Questions for Reflection

  • What does it truly mean for me to "trust in God at all times," particularly during seasons of profound uncertainty, intense suffering, or unexpected joy?
  • How consistently and authentically do I "pour out my heart" before God, sharing my deepest fears, anxieties, laments, and joys without reservation or pretense?
  • In what practical, tangible ways can I actively experience God as my "refuge" in my daily life, especially when I feel overwhelmed, vulnerable, or under attack?
  • What worldly "refuges" or sources of security (e.g., finances, relationships, achievements, control) do I sometimes rely on more than God, and how can I intentionally reorient my trust solely upon Him?

FAQ

What does "Selah" mean in this verse and other Psalms?

Answer: "Selah" is a Hebrew word found seventy-one times in the Psalms and three times in the book of Habakkuk. While its precise meaning remains a subject of scholarly debate, it is generally understood to be a musical or liturgical notation. Common interpretations suggest it indicates a pause for reflection, a musical interlude (perhaps a crescendo, a change in instrumentation, or a moment for silent meditation), or a signal for the congregation to lift their voices in praise or response. In Psalm 62:8, its placement immediately after the profound declaration "God is a refuge for us" strongly suggests a moment for the reader or listener to pause and deeply meditate on the profound truth of God's protective nature and the call to trust and pour out one's heart before Him. It serves as a powerful invitation to allow the preceding words to sink in and resonate spiritually.

Why is it important to "pour out your heart" to God? Does He not already know everything?

Answer: While it is profoundly true that God is omniscient and knows our thoughts, feelings, and needs even before we articulate them Psalm 139:4, the act of "pouring out your heart" is primarily for our benefit and spiritual formation, not His. It is an essential act of humility, vulnerability, and dependence that acknowledges God's sovereignty, His compassionate care, and His active presence in our lives. When we verbally articulate our fears, laments, desires, and confessions, we are actively engaging our faith, releasing burdens we were never meant to carry alone, and submitting our will and circumstances to His divine wisdom. This practice is a therapeutic and spiritual discipline that deepens our trust, allows us to experience God's comfort and guidance more profoundly, and builds genuine intimacy in our relationship with Him. It mirrors the relational dynamic God desires with His children, where open and honest communication fosters trust, connection, and spiritual growth.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalm 62:8, with its compelling call to trust in God as an ultimate refuge and to pour out one's heart before Him, finds its most profound and accessible fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's refuge, the secure and living haven to whom all people are invited to come for rest and safety. When Jesus extends the tender invitation, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28, He is beckoning us to pour out our hearts—our burdens, anxieties, weariness, and sin—before Him, promising the ultimate refuge and solace for our weary souls. Through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Christ has opened the new and living way for us to approach God with complete confidence and unreserved honesty, knowing that our confessions, laments, and petitions are heard and received with boundless grace. He is our compassionate High Priest, who fully sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin, enabling us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:15-16. In Christ, the abstract concept of God as a refuge becomes a tangible, living, and accessible reality, for He is "the way, and the truth, and the life" John 14:6, the very means by which we enter into the secure and intimate relationship with God that Psalm 62:8 so powerfully exhorts. Our trust is ultimately placed in Him, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world John 1:29, and in Him alone, we find eternal safety, profound peace, and the freedom to be truly vulnerable before our compassionate and omnipotent God.

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Commentary on Psalms 62 verses 8–12

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

Here we have David's exhortation to others to trust in God and wait upon him, as he had done. Those that have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves will invite others into those ways; there is enough in God for all the saints to draw from, and we shall have never the less for others sharing with us.

I. He counsels all to wait upon God, as he did, Psa 62:8. Observe,

1.To whom he gives this good counsel: You people (that is, all people); all shall be welcome to trust in God, for he is the confidence of all the ends of the earth, Psa 65:5. You people of the house of Israel (so the Chaldee); they are especially engaged and invited to trust in God, for he is the God of Israel; and should not a people seek unto their God?

2.What the good counsel is which he gives. (1.) To confide in God: "Trust in him; deal with him, and be willing to deal upon trust; depend upon him to perform all things for you, upon his wisdom and goodness, his power and promise, his providence and grace. Do this at all times." We must have an habitual confidence in God always, must live a life of dependence upon him, must so trust in him at all times as not at any time to put that confidence in ourselves, or in any creature, which is to be put in him only; and we must have an actual confidence in God upon all occasions, trust in him upon every emergency, to guide us when we are in doubt, to protect us when we are in danger, to supply us when we are in want, to strengthen us for every good word and work. (2.) To converse with God: Pour out your heart before him. The expression seems to allude to the pouring out of the drink-offerings before the Lord. When we make a penitent confession of sin our hearts are therein poured out before God, Sa1 7:6. But here it is meant of prayer, which, if it be as it should be, is the pouring out of the heart before God. We must lay our grievances before him, offer up our desires to him with all humble freedom, and then entirely refer ourselves to his disposal, patiently submitting our wills to his: this is pouring out our hearts.

3.What encouragement he gives us to take this good counsel: God is a refuge for us, not only my refuge (Psa 62:7), but a refuge for us all, even as many as will flee to him and take shelter in him.

II. He cautions us to take heed of misplacing our confidence, in which, as much as in any thing, the heart is deceitful, Jer 17:5-9. Those that trust in God truly (Psa 62:1) will trust in him only, Psa 62:5. 1. Let us not trust in the men of this world, for they are broken reeds (Psa 62:9): Surely men of low degree are vanity, utterly unable to help us, and men of high degree are a lie, that will deceive us if we trust to them. Men of low degree, one would think, might be relied on for their multitude and number, their bodily strength and service, and men of high degree for their wisdom, power, and influence; but neither the one nor the other are to be depended on. Of the two, men of high degree are mentioned as the more deceiving; for they are a lie, which denotes not only vanity, but iniquity. We are not so apt to depend upon men of low degree as upon the king and the captain of the host, who, by the figure they make, tempt us to trust in them, and so, when they fail us, prove a lie. But lay them in the balance, the balance of the scripture, or rather make trial of them, see how they will prove, whether they will answer your expectations from them or no, and you will write Tekel upon them; they are alike lighter than vanity; there is no depending upon their wisdom to advise us, their power to act for us, their good-will to us, no, nor upon their promises, in comparison with God, nor otherwise than in subordination to him. 2. Let us not trust in the wealth of this world, let not that be made our strong city (Psa 62:10): Trust not in oppression; that is, in riches got by fraud and violence, because where there is a great deal it is commonly got by indirect scraping or saving (our Saviour calls it the mammon of unrighteousness, Luk 16:9), or in the arts of getting riches. "Think not, either because you have got abundance or are in the way of getting, that therefore you are safe enough; for this is becoming vain in robbery, that is, cheating yourselves while you think to cheat others." He that trusted in the abundance of his riches strengthened himself in his wickedness (Psa 52:7); but at his end he will be a fool, Jer 17:11. Let none be so stupid as to think of supporting themselves in their sin, much less of supporting themselves in this sin. Nay, because it is hard to have riches and not to trust in them, if they increase, though by lawful and honest means, we must take heed lest we let out our affections inordinately towards them: "Set not your heart upon them; be not eager for them, do not take a complacency in them as the rest of your souls, nor put a confidence in them as your portion; be not over-solicitous about them; do not value yourselves and others by them; make not the wealth of the world your chief good and highest end: in short, do not make an idol of it." This we are most in danger of doing when riches increase. When the grounds of the rich man brought forth plentifully, then he said to his soul, Take thy ease in these things, Luk 12:19. It is a smiling world that is most likely to draw the heart away from God, on whom only it should be set.

III. He gives a very good reason why we should make God our confidence, because he is a God of infinite power, mercy, and righteousness, Psa 62:11, Psa 62:12. This he himself was well assured of and would have us be assured of it: God has spoken once; twice have I heard this; that is, 1. "God has spoken it, and I have heard it, once, yea, twice. He has spoken it, and I have heard it by the light of reason, which easily infers it from the nature of the infinitely perfect Being and from his works both of creation and providence. He has spoken it, and I have heard once, yea, twice (that is, many a time), by the events that have concerned me in particular. He has spoken it and I have heard it by the light of revelation, by dreams and visions (Job 4:15), by the glorious manifestation of himself upon Mount Sinai" (to which, some think, it does especially refer), "and by the written word." God has often told us what a great and good God he is, and we ought as often to take notice of what he has told us. Or, 2. "Though God spoke it but once, I heard it twice, heard it diligently, not only with my outward ears, but with my soul and mind." To some God speaks twice and they will not hear once; but to others he speaks but once, and they hear twice. Compare Job 33:14. Now what is it which is thus spoken and thus heard? (1.) That the God with whom we have to do is infinite in power. Power belongs to God; he is almighty, and can do every thing; with him nothing is impossible. All the powers of all the creatures are derived form him, depend upon him, and are used by him as he pleases. His is the power, and to him we must ascribe it. This is a good reason why we should trust in him at all times and live in a constant dependence upon him; for he is able to do all that for us which we trust in him for. (2.) That he is a God of infinite goodness. Here the psalmist turns his speech to God himself, as being desirous to give him the glory of his goodness, which is his glory: Also unto thee, O Lord! belongeth mercy. God is not only the greatest, but the best, of beings. Mercy is with him, Psa 130:4, Psa 130:7. He is merciful in a way peculiar to himself; he is the Father of mercies, Co2 1:3. This is a further reason why we should trust in him, and answers the objections of our sinfulness and unworthiness; though we deserve nothing but his wrath, yet we may hope for all good from his mercy, which is over all his works. (3.) That he never did, nor ever will do, any wrong to any of his creatures: For thou renderest to every man according to his work. Though he does not always do this visibly in this world, yet he will do it in the day of recompence. No service done him shall go unrewarded, nor any affront given him unpunished, unless it be repented of. By this it appears that power and mercy belong to him. If he were not a God of power, there are sinners that would be too great to be punished. And if he were not a God of mercy there are services that would be too worthless to be rewarded. This seems especially to bespeak the justice of God in judging upon appeals made to him by wronged innocency; he will be sure to judge according to truth, in giving redress to the injured and avenging them on those that have been injurious to them, Kg1 8:32. Let those therefore that are wronged commit their cause to him and trust to him to plead it.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–12. Public domain.
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Pachomius the GreatAD 348
INSTRUCTIONS 16
And now, my child, if you take God as your hope, he will be your help in the time of your anguish; “for anyone who comes to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who search for him.” These words were written for us, that we may believe in God and do battle, great and little, by fastings, prayers and other religious practices. God will not forget even the saliva that has dried in your mouth as a result of fasting. On the contrary, everything will be returned to you at the moment of your anguish. Only humble yourself in all things, hold back your word even if you understand the whole affair. Do not quietly acquire the habit of abusing; on the contrary, joyfully put up with every trial. For if you knew the honor that results from trials you would not pray to be delivered from them, because it is preferable for you to pray, to weep and to sigh until you are saved, rather than to relax and be led off a captive. O man, what are you doing in Babylon? “You have grown old in an alien land” because you did not submit to the test and because your relations with God are not proper. Therefore, brother, you must not relax.
Basil of CaesareaAD 379
HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 21:4
Since the psalmist is conscious of the use of sincere hope in God, he invites the people to a zeal equal to his own, saying, “Trust in him, all you people; pour out your hearts before him.” It is impossible for us to become capable of divine grace unless we have driven out the evil passions that have preoccupied our souls. I know doctors who do not give the salutary medicines before they have drained out by means of an emetic the matter that was causing the sickness, which the intemperate had stored up in themselves through a bad diet. Perfume should not be poured into a vessel that had previously been filled with some foul-smelling liquid, unless it is washed out first. Therefore, it is necessary that its initial contents be poured out, in order that it may be able to contain that which is being brought in.
Basil of CaesareaAD 379
HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 21:4
“In God is my salvation and my glory; he is the God of my help, and my hope is in God.” Blessed is one who exults in none of the lofty things of life but regards God as his glory: who holds Christ as his boast; who is able to say, according to the apostle, “But as for me, God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of Christ.” Many are glorified in body, who devote their time to gymnastic contests, or, on the whole, who are vigorous in the flower of their age; and many, because of their valor in the wars, who consider the murdering of those of the same race bravery. In fact, rewards in wars and the trophies raised by a general and by cities, are according to the magnitude of the slaughter. Others are glorified because they put walls around cities; and others, because of the structures of the aquaducts and the buildings of the great gymnasia. That person who has spent his wealth in fighting wild beasts and who exults in vain words of the people is puffed up with the praises and thinks himself something great, having his glory in his shame. He even shows his sin inscribed on tablets in conspicuous places of the city. Another is extolled for his wealth; another, because he is a skillful and invincible orator, or he is acquainted with the wisdom of the world. It is proper to pity the glory of all these and to deem happy those who make God their glory. For if a certain one thinks he is something great because he is the servant of a king and is held in great honor by him, how much ought you to exalt yourself, because you are a servant of the great King and are called by him to the closest intimacy, having received the Spirit of the promise, so that, sealed with his approval, you are shown to be a child of God?
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 62
"Hope ye in Him all the council of the people" [Psalm 62:8]. Imitate ye Idithun, leap over your enemies; men fighting against you, stopping up your way, men hating you, leap ye over: "Hope in Him all the council of the people: pour out before Him your hearts:"...By imploring, by confessing, by hoping. Do not keep back your hearts within your hearts: "Pour out before Him your hearts." That perishes not which you pour out. For He is my Taker up. If He takes up, why do you fear to pour out? "Cast upon the Lord your care, and hope in Him." What fear ye amid whisperers, slanderers hateful to God, [Romans 1:29-30] where they are able openly assailing, where they are unable secretly lying in wait, falsely praising, truly at enmity, amid them what do you fear? "God is our Helper." Do they anywise equal God? Are they anywise stronger than He? "God is our Helper," be ye without care. "If God is for us, who is against us?" [Romans 8:31] "Pour out before Him your hearts," by leaping over unto Him, by lifting up your souls: "God is our helper."
Augustine of HippoAD 430
SERMON 283:3
So: "Nobody is able to refrain from sexual intercourse, unless God grants it." You have a gift to protect you from such pleasures; since "this was itself a matter of wisdom, to know whose gift this was; nobody is continent unless God grants it." You have a gift to help you endure pains; since "it is from him," he says, "my patience comes." "So hope in him, every assembly of the people." Hope in him; do not trust in your own powers. Confess your bad things to him; hope for your good things from him. Without his help you will be nothing, however proud you may be. So in order that you may be enabled to be humble, "pour out your hearts before him"; and to avoid remaining wrongly stuck on yourselves, say what comes next: "God is our helper."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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