Psalms 62:12

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 62:12 profoundly reveals the dual nature of God's character, declaring that both boundless mercy and perfect justice inherently belong to Him. Following an affirmation of God's ultimate power, this verse balances His compassionate *chesed* (steadfast love) with His righteous commitment to recompense every individual according to their deeds. It presents a holistic view of the Almighty as simultaneously gracious and just, assuring believers of His unfailing love while underscoring human accountability before His holy standard.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 62 is a deeply personal psalm of David, expressing unwavering trust in God amidst severe opposition and betrayal. David repeatedly anchors his soul in God alone, declaring Him to be his "rock and my salvation; he is my defence" ([Psalms 62:2](/psalms/62-2 "Psalms 62:2 - God My Rock and Salvation")). The psalm moves from lament and a call to trust to a direct address to his soul to "wait thou only upon God" ([Psalms 62:5](/psalms/62-5 "Psalms 62:5 - My Soul Waits for God Alone")). The preceding verse, [Psalms 62:11](/psalms/62-11 "Psalms 62:11 - God's Power Declared"), emphatically states, "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." This declaration of divine omnipotence sets the stage for verse 12, which immediately follows to complete the picture of God's character by adding His mercy and justice to His power, demonstrating a harmonious and complete divine nature.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As a psalm of David, Psalm 62 likely reflects a period of intense personal or national distress, possibly during Absalom's rebellion or other times of political intrigue and betrayal. In ancient Israel, the concept of divine justice and recompense was deeply embedded in the Mosaic Law and prophetic tradition, emphasizing that God is a righteous judge who sees and responds to human actions. The idea of *chesed* (mercy/lovingkindness) was equally foundational, representing God's covenant faithfulness and steadfast love for His people, particularly evident in His deliverance and provision. The juxtaposition of mercy and justice in this verse would have resonated with an audience familiar with God's character as both compassionate deliverer and righteous judge, a theme woven throughout the Old Testament narrative, from the covenant at Sinai to the pronouncements of the prophets.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 62:12 encapsulates several profound theological themes. Firstly, it highlights **God's Balanced Attributes**, presenting mercy and justice not as contradictory but as complementary aspects of His perfect character. His *chesed* is not a weakness but an expression of His steadfast love, while His justice ensures moral order and accountability. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Trust**, reinforcing that God, in His complete character of power, mercy, and justice, is the only reliable refuge. David's unwavering trust is rooted in this comprehensive understanding of who God is. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Human Accountability**, affirming that every individual will ultimately be judged by God according to their deeds. This principle of divine recompense is a consistent biblical truth, echoed in both Old Testament wisdom literature and New Testament teachings, such as when Paul declares that God "will render to each one according to his works" in [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God's Impartial Judgment"). This theme serves as both a warning and an encouragement for righteous living.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, חֶסֶד, _chesed'_):** This is one of the richest theological terms in the Old Testament, often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty." It signifies more than mere pity; it speaks of God's active, faithful, and enduring love, particularly within the context of His covenant relationship with His people. When the psalmist declares that *chesed* "belongeth" to the Lord, it emphasizes that this attribute is an inherent and essential part of God's very being, not something He acquires or dispenses arbitrarily.
* **Renderest (Hebrew, שָׁלַם, _shalem'_):** The verb *shalem* means "to be complete," "to be sound," and in the Hiphil stem (as used here), "to make complete," "to pay," or "to repay." It conveys the idea of bringing something to its proper conclusion or fulfilling an obligation, whether in terms of reward or punishment. In this context, it signifies God's just and equitable distribution of consequences based on actions, reinforcing the idea of personal accountability and the certainty of divine recompense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also unto thee, O Lord, [belongeth] mercy:"** This opening clause is a profound theological declaration. It asserts that *chesed*, God's steadfast love and covenant faithfulness, is not merely an action God performs but an intrinsic part of His divine nature. It is an attribute that originates from and is eternally resident within Him. This establishes mercy as a foundational characteristic of the Almighty, providing immense comfort and hope.
* **"for thou renderest to every man according to his work."** The conjunction "for" (כִּי, _ki_) introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement. It connects God's inherent mercy with His just administration of the world. This clause affirms the universal principle of divine justice: God, in His perfect righteousness, holds all humanity accountable for their actions. He will justly recompense each individual based on their deeds, whether good or evil. This does not contradict His mercy but rather demonstrates that His governance is holistic, encompassing both grace and equitable judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Juxtaposition**, placing God's attribute of mercy directly alongside His act of rendering justice according to works. This creates a powerful tension and harmony, demonstrating that these are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of God's character. The structure functions as a **Declaration** or **Assertion**, stating fundamental truths about God's nature. While not strict poetic parallelism, there is a **Thematic Balance** between the two clauses, presenting a comprehensive understanding of divine governance. The phrase "unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy" is an **Attribution**, assigning a core quality directly to God, emphasizing its inherent nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 62:12 offers a crucial theological balance, portraying God as both infinitely merciful and perfectly just. This dual reality is not a paradox but a testament to His complete righteousness. His mercy, rooted in His covenant faithfulness (*chesed*), assures us of His unwavering love and willingness to forgive. Simultaneously, His justice ensures that moral order prevails, and all actions, good or evil, will ultimately receive their due recompense. This understanding prevents a sentimental view of God that ignores sin and accountability, while also guarding against a harsh view that overlooks His profound compassion. It sets the stage for understanding how God can be "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God's Righteousness Revealed")).

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Justice")
* [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6-8 - God's Impartial Judgment According to Works")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Salvation by Grace, Not Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding that both mercy and justice belong to the Lord profoundly shapes our perspective on life and our relationship with God. It encourages a robust trust in His character, knowing that He is not only compassionate but also righteous in all His dealings. This truth provides comfort that ultimate justice will prevail, even when we witness injustice in the world. Simultaneously, the assurance that God "renders to every man according to his work" serves as a powerful motivator for righteous living, reminding us that our choices carry eternal significance. It calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our actions are seen by a God who is both loving and just. For believers, this also highlights the immense value of God's mercy, which triumphs over judgment through Christ, enabling us to approach Him with confidence despite our shortcomings, while still striving to live in a manner worthy of His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's simultaneous mercy and justice impact your daily walk with Him?**
* **In what ways does the truth that God "renders to every man according to his work" motivate you towards righteous living?**
* **How do you reconcile God's mercy with His justice in your own life and in the broader world?**

### FAQ
**Does "thou renderest to every man according to his work" imply that salvation is earned through human effort?**

Answer: No, this verse does not teach salvation by works. While it affirms the universal principle of divine justice and accountability for human actions, the Bible consistently teaches that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by human merit ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). The "work" referred to in Psalms 62:12, and echoed in passages like [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God's Impartial Judgment"), speaks to the ultimate judgment where God's perfect justice is applied to all deeds, whether good or bad. For believers, good works are the *evidence* and *fruit* of genuine faith, not the *means* of salvation ([James 2:17-18](/james/2-17 "James 2:17-18 - Faith Without Works is Dead")). God's mercy, mentioned first in the verse, is the very attribute that provides a path to forgiveness and righteousness for those who cannot perfectly fulfill His just demands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 62:12 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies and reconciles God's seemingly contrasting attributes of mercy and justice. As the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus is the supreme manifestation of God's boundless mercy (*chesed*), offering Himself as the propitiation for our sins, thereby satisfying the demands of divine justice on our behalf ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, God's mercy triumphs over judgment for all who believe, demonstrating how God can be both "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God's Righteousness Revealed")). Yet, Christ is also the one who will "render to every man according as his work shall be" ([Revelation 22:12](/revelation/22-12 "Revelation 22:12 - Christ's Return and Recompense")), serving as the righteous Judge who will perfectly administer God's justice at the end of the age. Thus, in Jesus, the declaration that "unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work" is not merely a theological statement but a living, redemptive reality, revealing God's complete character in saving and judging humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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: