TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 62:1–7. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
In these verses we have,
I.David's profession of dependence upon God, and upon him only, for all good (Psa 62:1):
Truly my soul waiteth upon God. Nevertheless (so some) or "However it be, whatever difficulties or dangers I may meet with, though God frown upon me and I meet with discouragements in my attendance on him, yet still my soul waits upon God" (or is silent to God, as the word is), "Says nothing against what he does, but quietly expects what he will do." We are in the way both of duty and comfort when our souls wait upon God, when we cheerfully refer ourselves, and the disposal of all our affairs, to his will and wisdom, when we acquiesce in and accommodate ourselves to all the dispensations of his providence, and patiently expect a doubtful event, with an entire satisfaction in his righteousness and goodness, however it be. Is not my soul subject go God? So the Septuagint. So it, certainly so it ought to be; our wills must be melted into his will. My soul has respect to God, for from him cometh my salvation. He doubts not but his salvation will come, though now he was threatened and in danger, and he expects it to come from God, and from him only; for in vain is it hoped for from hills and mountains, Jer 3:23; Psa 121:1, Psa 121:2. "From him I know it will come, and therefore on him will I patiently wait till it does come, for his time is the best time." We may apply it to our eternal salvation, which is called the salvation of God (Psa 50:23); from him it comes; he prepared it for us, he prepares us for it, and preserves us to it, and therefore let our souls wait on him, to be conducted through this world to that eternal salvation, in such way as he thinks fit.
II.The ground and reason of this dependence (Psa 62:2):
He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence. 1. "He has been so many a time; in him I have found shelter, and strength, and succour. He has by his grace supported me and borne me up under my troubles, and by his providence defended me from the insults of my enemies and delivered me out of the troubles into which I was plunged; and therefore I trust he will deliver me," Co2 1:10. 2. "He only can be my rock and my salvation. Creatures are insufficient; they are nothing without him, and therefore I will look above them to him." 3. "He has by covenant undertaken to be so. Even he that is the rock of ages is my rock; he that is the God of salvation is my salvation; he that is the Most High is my high place; and therefore I have all the reason in the world to confide in him."
III.The improvement he makes of his confidence in God.
1.Trusting in God, his heart is fixed. "If God is my strength and mighty delivered, I shall not be greatly moved (that is, I shall not be undone and ruined); I may be shocked, but I shall not be sunk." Or, "I shall not be much disturbed and disquieted in my own breast. I may be put into some fright, but I shall not be afraid with any amazement, nor so as to be put out of the possession of my own soul. I may be perplexed, but not in despair," Co2 4:8. This hope in God will be an anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast.
2.His enemies are slighted, and all their attempts against him looked upon by him with contempt, Psa 62:3, Psa 62:4. If God be for us, we need not fear what man can do against us, though ever so mighty and malicious. He here,
(1.)Gives a character of his enemies: They imagine mischief, design it with a great deal of the serpent's venom and contrive it with a great deal of the serpent's subtlety, and this against a man, one of their own kind, against one single man, that is not an equal match for them, for they are many; they continued their malicious persecution though Providence had often defeated their mischievous designs. "How long will you do it? Will you never be convinced of your error? Will your malice never have spent itself?" They are unanimous in their consultations to cast an excellent man down from his excellency, to draw an honest man from his integrity, to entangle him in sin, which is the only thing that can effectually cast us down from our excellency, to thrust a man, whom God has exalted, down from his dignity, and so to fight against God. Envy was at the bottom of their malice; they were grieved at David's advancement, and therefore plotted, by diminishing his character and blackening that (which was casting him down from his excellency) to hinder his preferment. In order to this they calumniate him, and love to hear such bad characters given of him and such bad reports raised and spread concerning him as they themselves know to be false: They delight in lies. And as they make no conscience of lying concerning him, to do him a mischief, so they make no conscience of lying to him, to conceal the mischief they design, and accomplish it the more effectually: They bless with their mouth (they compliment David to his face), but they curse inwardly; in their hearts they wish him all mischief, and privately they are plotting against him and in their cabals carrying on some evil design or other, by which they hope to ruin him. It is dangerous putting our trust in men who are thus false; but God is faithful.
(2.)He reads their doom, pronounces a sentence of death upon them, not as a king, but as a prophet: You shall be slain all of you, by the righteous judgments of God. Saul and his servants were slain by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, according to this prediction. Those who seek the ruin of God's chosen are but preparing ruin for themselves. God's church is built upon a rock which will stand, but those that fight against it, and its patrons and protectors, shall be as a bowing wall and a tottering fence, which, having a rotten foundation, sinks with its own weight, falls of a sudden, and buries those in the ruins of it that put themselves under the shadow and shelter of it. David, having put his confidence in God, thus foresees the overthrow of his enemies, and, in effect, sets them at defiance and bids them do their worst.
3.He is himself encouraged to continue waiting upon God (Psa 62:5-7): My soul, wait thou only upon God. Note, The good we do we should stir up ourselves to continue doing, and to do yet more and more, as those that have, through grace, experienced the comfort and benefit of it. We have found it good to wait upon God, and therefore should charge our souls, and even charm them, into such a constant dependence upon him as may make us always easy. He had said (Psa 62:1), From him cometh my salvation; he says (Psa 62:5), My expectation is from him. His salvation was the principal matter of his expectation; let him have that from God, and he expects no more. His salvation being from God, all his other expectations are from him. "If God will save my soul, as to every thing else let him do what he pleases with me, and I will acquiesce in his disposals, knowing they shall all turn to my salvation," Phi 1:19. He repeats (Psa 62:6) what he had said concerning God (Psa 62:2), as one that was not only assured of it, but greatly pleased with it, and that dwelt much upon it in his thoughts: He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence, I know he is; but there he adds, I shall not be greatly moved, here, I shall not be moved at all. Note, The more faith is acted the more active it is. Crescit eundo - It grows by being exercised. The more we meditate upon God's attributes and promises, and our own experience, the more ground we get of our fears, which, like Haman, when they begin to fall, shall fall before us, and we shall be kept in perfect peace, Isa 26:3. And, as David's faith in God advances to an unshaken stayedness, so his joy in God improves itself into a holy triumph (Psa 62:7): In God is my salvation and my glory. Where our salvation is there our glory is; for what is our salvation but the glory to be revealed, the eternal weight of glory? And there our glorying must be. In God let us boast all the day long. "The rock of my strength (that is, my strong rock, on which I build my hopes and stay myself) and my refuge, to which I flee for shelter when I am pursued, is in God, and in him only. I have no other to flee to, no other to trust to; the more I think of it the better satisfied I am in the choice I have made." Thus does he delight himself in the Lord, and then ride upon the high places of the earth, Isa 58:14.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
“But they have thought to cast away my price; they ran in thirst: they blessed with their mouth but cursed with their heart.” The price of [humanity’s redemption] is the blood of Christ: “You have been bought,” it is said, “with a price; do not become the slaves of people.” The soldiers of Satan planned, therefore, to make this price useless to us, leading again into slavery those who had once been freed. “They ran in thirst.” He is speaking of the eager plots of the demons, because they run against us, thirsting for our destruction. “They blessed with their mouth but cursed with their heart.” There are many who approve evil deeds and say that the witty person is charming; the foulmouthed, statesmanlike; the bitter and irascible they name as one not to be despised; the miserly and selfish they praise as thrifty; the spendthrift, as bountiful; the fornicator and lewd, as one devoted to enjoyment and ease; and, in general, they gloss over every evil with the name of the proximate virtue. Such people bless with their mouth but curse with their heart. For by the auspiciousness of the words, they bring every curse on their life, making themselves liable to condemnation on the day of judgment because of those things that they approved.
“How long do you rush in upon a person? You all kill, as if you were tearing down a leaning wall and a tottering fence.” Again the homily speaks out against the depraved ministers of the devil, charging them with a lack of moderation in the snares they lay. Certainly, people are weak animals; but you rush on, not content with the first attack, but you attack a second and a third time, until you subdue the soul that has fallen beside you to such an extent that it is very similar to a leaning wall and a tottering fence. Now, a wall, as long as it maintains an upright position, remains steadfast; but, when it leans, since it has been weakened, it is destined to fall. For if heavy bodies are joined together, they stand erect after leaning, but those which are composed of several parts no longer stand erect when pressure has been put on one part of them. The homily shows, therefore, that the nature of humankind, which is composite, was not susceptible to plots for a second fall. “You are God’s tillage, God’s building,” it is said. The enemy has shattered this building; the Craftsman has repaired the rents made in it. Thus the fall was necessary because of sin, but the resurrection was great because it brings immortality.
“For he is my God and my savior; he is my protector, I shall be moved no more.” The Son, who is from God, is our God. He is also Savior of the human race, who supports our weakness, who corrects the disturbance that springs up in our souls from temptations. “I shall be moved no more.” Humanly he confesses his disturbance. “More.” For it is impossible that there should not be some disturbance from temptations in the human soul. While we are committing small and few sins, we are in a way mildly disturbed, being tossed about like the leaves by a gentle breeze; but, when our vices are more and greater, in proportion to the increase of our sins the disturbance is apt to be intensified.
"For Himself is my God and my salvation, my taker up, I shall not be moved more" [Psalm 62:2]. I know who is above me, I know who stretches forth His mercy to men that know Him, I know under the coverings of whose wings I should hope: "I shall not be moved more."
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Summary
Psalms 62:2 is a profound declaration of exclusive trust in God, portraying Him as the singular, unshakeable foundation for security and deliverance amidst life's storms. David, facing intense opposition, articulates an unwavering confidence that his stability and ultimate rescue come solely from the Lord, contrasting divine steadfastness with the fleeting nature of human power and loyalty. This verse serves as a timeless testament to the deep spiritual resilience found in absolute reliance on God's immutable character.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 62:2 stands as the emphatic core of a psalm that opens and closes with a posture of quiet waiting on God. The preceding verse, Psalms 62:1, sets the tone of patient expectation, declaring that salvation comes "from him." Following this foundational statement, Psalms 62:3-4 immediately introduces the adversaries who seek David's downfall with deceit and lies, highlighting the precariousness of his situation. The psalm then reiterates the call to wait on God (e.g., Psalms 62:5), reinforcing the theme of exclusive reliance. The entire psalm is a powerful contrast between the instability of human malice and the unwavering stability of God, culminating in a call to "trust in him at all times" (Psalms 62:8). Verse 2, therefore, functions as the central theological anchor, articulating the specific attributes of God that make such trust possible.
Historical & Cultural Context
While the psalm does not specify the exact historical moment, it clearly reflects a period of intense personal and political danger for David, likely involving betrayal and plots against his life, as suggested by the imagery of enemies who "consult only to cast him down from his high position" (Psalms 62:4). In ancient Near Eastern kingship, a monarch's security often depended on military strength, political alliances, and the loyalty of his subjects. David, as king of Israel, would have faced constant pressures to rely on these earthly means. However, this psalm reveals his radical departure from conventional wisdom, choosing instead to place his sole reliance on Yahweh. The concept of God as a "rock" or "fortress" was deeply ingrained in Israelite culture, stemming from their wilderness wanderings where actual rocks provided shelter and defense, and from the theological understanding of God's steadfastness demonstrated throughout their history, particularly in the Exodus account.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of Exclusive Reliance on God, emphasized by the emphatic "He only," which declares God as the singular source of strength and salvation, rejecting any alternative or partial reliance on human efforts or worldly systems. This connects to the wisdom literature's call to trust in the Lord with all your heart, leaning not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Another central theme is God as an Unshakeable Foundation. Calling God "my rock" is a foundational biblical metaphor signifying His unchanging nature, immense strength, and absolute reliability, echoing descriptions of God as the perfect Rock in Deuteronomy 32:4. Furthermore, the verse highlights Divine Salvation and Protection, with "my salvation" pointing to God as the ultimate deliverer from all forms of danger, and "my defence" (a high fortress) underscoring God's active role as a mighty protector who shields His people. Finally, the declaration "I shall not be greatly moved" speaks to Inner Stability Amidst Turmoil, signifying a deep spiritual resilience and unshakeable faith that comes from absolute trust in God, even when external circumstances are chaotic, a theme also found in Psalm 16:8.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word (H6697) properly refers to a cliff or sharp rock, or generally a rock or boulder. Its usage here emphasizes God's immense stability, His role as an unyielding refuge, and His ability to provide an absolutely secure and unmovable foundation. It conveys the idea of a place of safety that cannot be breached or shaken, a high and strong natural fortress, and can even refer to God Himself as the mighty One.
The term (H3444) is a feminine passive participle meaning "something saved," abstractly referring to deliverance. It encompasses aid, victory, prosperity, health, and welfare. It speaks to God's active intervention to save His people from danger, oppression, and distress, both physically and spiritually. It highlights God as the source of ultimate well-being and liberation, not merely from immediate threats but from all that assails the soul.
This word (H4869) means "a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place)" and figuratively, "a refuge." It depicts God as an elevated, inaccessible refuge, a fortress high above the reach of enemies. It conveys the idea of a secure, fortified position that provides protection and safety, implying that God lifts His people above the fray, placing them in a position of invulnerability against their adversaries.
Verse Breakdown
"He only [is] my rock and my salvation;"
This opening clause immediately establishes the exclusivity and sufficiency of God. The emphatic "He only" (אַךְ) underscores that God, and no other, is the sole source of David's stability ("my rock") and deliverance ("my salvation"). This is a declaration of absolute dependence, rejecting any reliance on human strength, alliances, or worldly resources. God is portrayed as both the unshakeable foundation upon which David stands and the active agent of his rescue from all forms of peril.
"[he is] my defence;"
This phrase further elaborates on God's protective role. The term "defence" (מִשְׂגָּב, misgâb') evokes the imagery of a high fortress or stronghold. It signifies that God is not merely a passive support but an active, strategic protector who elevates David to a place of safety beyond the reach of his enemies. This implies a secure refuge, a place of elevated security where no adversary can penetrate.
"I shall not be greatly moved."
This concluding declaration is a statement of profound inner stability and resilience. It does not imply an absence of trials or external pressures, but rather a deep, spiritual rootedness that prevents one from being dislodged or overthrown by them. Because God is his rock, salvation, and defence, David possesses an internal equilibrium and confidence that transcends the chaos of his circumstances, ensuring he will not be utterly shaken or fall.
Literary Devices
Psalms 62:2 is rich in Metaphor, primarily employing the powerful images of "rock," "salvation," and "defence" to describe God. The Metaphor of God as a "rock" (צוּר, tsûwr') vividly conveys His unchangeable nature, immense strength, and absolute reliability as a foundation. Similarly, "defence" (מִשְׂגָּב, misgâb'), meaning a high place or stronghold, functions as a Metaphor for God as an impregnable refuge and protector. The phrase "He only" utilizes Emphasis and Exclusivity, highlighting God as the solitary and ultimate source of security, effectively dismissing any other potential reliance. This creates a strong Contrast (though implicit) between the fleeting and unreliable nature of human power and the immutable, steadfast character of God. The final declaration, "I shall not be greatly moved," employs Understatement (or Litotes) to convey a profound truth: despite facing significant threats, the psalmist's inner stability is so profound that he will not be dislodged, implying complete steadfastness rather than a mere minor disturbance.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 62:2 serves as a cornerstone for understanding the biblical doctrine of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and His role as the ultimate refuge for His people. It articulates a theology of radical monotheism, where all trust and security are directed exclusively towards God. This verse underscores that true stability and deliverance are not found in human strength, political power, or material wealth, but solely in the immutable character and saving power of the Lord. It reflects the consistent biblical witness that God is the one true source of life, protection, and ultimate salvation, a theme that resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments, inviting believers to cultivate a posture of unwavering dependence on Him in all circumstances.
Reflection and Application
For believers today, Psalms 62:2 offers profound encouragement and a vital call to cultivate a radical dependence on God in every aspect of life. In a world marked by relentless uncertainty, economic fluctuations, social upheaval, and personal challenges, this verse calls us to look beyond temporary solutions and human capabilities, and to place our ultimate trust in the one true God. When we acknowledge Him as our exclusive "rock," "salvation," and "defence," we gain a spiritual security that transcends circumstances. This unwavering trust empowers us to face life's storms with a quiet confidence, knowing that with God as our foundation, we will experience a deep inner stability and "shall not be greatly moved." It is a reminder that our true security is not found in what we possess or what others can do for us, but in who God is and His unfailing faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "I shall not be greatly moved" mean I won't face any difficulties or emotional distress?
No, the phrase "I shall not be greatly moved" does not imply an absence of trials, struggles, or even emotional distress. The context of Psalm 62 itself reveals David was facing intense opposition and betrayal (Psalms 62:3-4). Rather, it speaks to an inner spiritual stability and a fundamental security that prevents one from being utterly overthrown, dislodged, or destroyed by these challenges. It signifies being deeply rooted in faith, like a house built on a solid rock that withstands storms (Matthew 7:24-27). While external circumstances may rage, the believer's core identity and ultimate hope remain anchored in God, providing an unshakeable foundation for the soul.
Why is God called "my rock" so often in the Psalms and other biblical texts?
The metaphor of God as "my rock" is deeply significant and frequently used throughout the Bible (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:2). In ancient Israel, rocks and cliffs provided literal refuge, shelter, and strongholds against enemies. The term conveys God's unchanging nature, immense strength, absolute reliability, and His role as an impregnable fortress. Unlike shifting sands or human foundations, a rock is stable, enduring, and provides a firm footing. It signifies that God is the ultimate source of security, stability, and protection, a dependable refuge in times of trouble.
How does this verse help me deal with anxiety or fear in my life?
Psalms 62:2 provides a powerful antidote to anxiety and fear by redirecting our focus from volatile circumstances to the unchanging character of God. When we acknowledge God as our exclusive "rock" and "defence," we are reminded that our ultimate security is not dependent on external factors or our own limited abilities. This shifts our perspective from a sense of vulnerability to one of profound trust. By consciously placing our reliance on the One who is unmovable and our ultimate salvation, we can experience an inner peace and stability that transcends our fears, knowing that He is our unshakeable foundation, even when the world around us feels chaotic. This truth invites us to quiet our souls before Him, as the psalmist does in Psalms 62:1 and Psalms 62:5.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 62:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "Rock" upon whom the church is built, the unshakeable foundation of our faith, as declared by Peter in Matthew 16:18. Just as the Israelites drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, so that "Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4). He is our complete "Salvation," the one through whom deliverance from sin, death, and all spiritual enemies is fully accomplished, for "there is salvation in no one else" (Acts 4:12). Christ is our ultimate "Defence," our high fortress and stronghold, who conquered the powers of darkness and now intercedes for us at the right hand of God, securing our position in Him (Romans 8:34). Because our lives are hidden with Christ in God, we are truly "not greatly moved" by the shifting sands of this world, but stand firm on the Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, who is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 13:8). In Him, David's ancient declaration of trust becomes the living reality for every believer.