What does Psalm 62:12 mean?

David has already noted that lasting and eternal power belongs only to God (Psalm 62:5–7, 11). Now the song attributes unchanging love and perfect justice to the Lord. This verse uses the important Hebrew root word checed, often translated as "lovingkindess," "unfailing love," or "steadfast love." The word implies an assured, steady benevolence rooted in God's unchanging and perfect nature. Key to this concept is the idea of mercy: God applying love rather than wrath.

This kind of love never ends or gives up (John 13:1). Jesus loved His disciples to the very end of His earthly ministry. His disciples were not always loving or loyal. Sometimes they argued about who would be most prominent in Jesus' kingdom (Luke 22:24–27). Sometimes they failed to accept what Jesus predicted about His rejection and sufferings (Matthew 16:21–23). Peter would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:69–75). Nevertheless, Jesus continued to love them with a self-sacrificing kind of love. Divine love never leaves those who put their faith in Christ. Paul assured the believers at Rome that nothing can separate believers from God's love (Romans 8:38–39). The apostle John marveled at such love. He writes: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are" (1 John 3:1).

David also gives a final reminder that God exhibits perfect justice. Salvation allows the believer to be forgiven of sin (Romans 6:23). Yet God also knows all our secret thoughts, words, and actions (Hebrews 4:13). Believer and unbeliever, alike, are subject to God's scrutiny (1 Corinthians 3:12–15; Revelation 20:12–13), and only those in Christ will be spared from eternal separation (John 3:36).