Psalm 62:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

NIV: For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

NASB: My soul waits in silence for God alone; From Him comes my salvation.

CSB: For the choir director: according to Jeduthun. A psalm of David. I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.

NLT: I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.

KJV: To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

NKJV: {To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.} Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation.

David testifies that his trust is only in God; there is no greater source of safety or confidence (Psalm 62:2). The same is true of salvation, which is found only in the Lord (Psalm 3:8; 146:3–5). David anticipates deliverance from his enemies because God is capable. This assurance isn't grounded in David's own ability, or the strength of his allies. He places all his reliance on the Lord (Psalm 31:14; 71:5). This sentiment is repeated in a later verse (Psalm 62:5)

Deliverance from sin and condemnation comes only from God. As the apostle Peter told the Sanhedrin, "There is salvation in no one else [except Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Jesus rightly claimed to be the only way to God. He said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Salvation requires faith and cannot be obtained by good deeds or rituals (Ephesians 2:1–10).

This psalm is one of three attached to the title "Jeduthun," which may have been the name of a melody (Psalm 39:1; 77:1). It may also be a form of dedication, as Jeduthun was the name of a temple musician during David's life (1 Chronicles 16:41–42). Alternatively, the word might be meant literally, as it comes from a root word meaning "to confess."

David asserts that he places all trust and faith in the Lord God alone. Evil people may slander and attack, but the believer in God can patiently wait for justice. Whether weak or powerful, all people are subject to God's judgment. No deeds will escape the Lord's notice (Hebrews 4:13).

No specific event is associated with this psalm. It may relate to David's time as a fugitive from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2). It is most likely a general expression of David's faith in God's provision. Other psalms echo these themes of unjust attackers (Psalm 38:19) and God's overwhelming power (Psalm 63:2; 147:5).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.