Psalms 62:10

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart [upon them].

Trust {H982}{H8799)} not in oppression {H6233}, and become not vain {H1891}{H8799)} in robbery {H1498}: if riches {H2428} increase {H5107}{H8799)}, set {H7896}{H8799)} not your heart {H3820} upon them.

Don't put your trust in extortion, don't put false hopes in robbery; even if wealth increases, don't set your heart on it.

Place no trust in extortion, or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

Trust not in oppression, And become not vain in robbery: If riches increase, set not your heart thereon.

Context of Psalm 62

Psalm 62 is a profound declaration of David's unwavering trust in God alone, even amidst betrayal and opposition from his enemies. Throughout the psalm, David expresses his soul's quiet reliance on the Lord as his rock, salvation, and fortress. He contrasts the fleeting nature of human power and deceit with God's enduring strength and faithfulness. Verse 10 serves as a crucial ethical warning within this context, cautioning against the very temptations and false securities that stand in opposition to the complete trust in God that David advocates.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Warning Against Unjust Gain: The verse opens with a strong admonition against seeking security or power through "oppression" ('osheq) or becoming "vain in robbery" (gazel). This highlights God's abhorrence of injustice, exploitation, and theft. It teaches that wealth gained through such means is not only morally corrupt but also provides a false, empty sense of security and pride.
  • The Danger of Materialism and Idolatry: The core message of the latter part of the verse, "if riches increase, set not your heart [upon them]," addresses the universal human tendency to find ultimate security or identity in material possessions. It warns that even legitimately acquired wealth can become a spiritual snare if it captures one's affection, focus, or trust, diverting the heart from God. This echoes the broader biblical caution against the love of money.
  • True Security is in God Alone: Implicit in this warning is the positive command to place one's heart and trust in God. If one should not trust in ill-gotten gain or even legitimate riches, then where should trust be placed? The entire Psalm 62 answers this: "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms provide depth:

  • "Oppression" (Hebrew: עֹשֶׁק, 'osheq): This word signifies extortion, unjust gain, or violent oppression, emphasizing a gain acquired through wrongful means.
  • "Robbery" (Hebrew: גָּזֵל, gazel): Refers to plunder or violent taking, clearly indicating ill-gotten wealth. To become "vain" (Hebrew: הָבֶל, havel) in it means to find an empty, fleeting, or worthless confidence.
  • "Set not your heart" (Hebrew: תָּשִׁיתוּ לֵב, tashitu lev): This phrase literally means "do not place your heart." It's a strong idiomatic expression for not giving one's deepest affection, reliance, or ultimate devotion to something. It warns against making wealth an idol.

Practical Application

Psalm 62:10 remains profoundly relevant in any age. It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Sources of Wealth: Are we acquiring resources ethically and justly, or are there hidden forms of oppression or dishonesty in our pursuits?
  • Guard Our Hearts Against Materialism: In a consumer-driven society, it's easy for increasing riches—or even the desire for them—to become the primary focus of our lives. This verse reminds us that true security and contentment are not found in what we possess.
  • Re-evaluate Our Trust: Where do we truly place our confidence for security, happiness, and future provision? Is it in our bank accounts, investments, or career success, or is it in the unchanging character of God? This verse calls us to align our hearts with the truth that we cannot serve both God and mammon.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

  • Psalms 52:7

    Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his wickedness.

  • Jeremiah 17:11

    [As] the partridge sitteth [on eggs], and hatcheth [them] not; [so] he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

  • Job 31:24

    ¶ If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, [Thou art] my confidence;

  • Job 31:25

    If I rejoiced because my wealth [was] great, and because mine hand had gotten much;

  • 1 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Deuteronomy 6:10

    And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

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