Psalm 62:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,

NIV: One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: 'Power belongs to you, God,

NASB: God has spoken once; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God;

CSB: God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God,

NLT: God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;

KJV: God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

NKJV: God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.

Several passages in the Bible use a "counting up" technique to emphasize a point (Amos 1:3; Proverbs 6:16; 30:15, 18; Isaiah 17:6; Ecclesiastes 11:2). This verse includes a Hebrew figure of speech (Job 33:14) that implies something common, or sure: a statement which can be reliably credited to God. Here, the declaration is that God, alone, has ultimate power. Others may have temporary lives and limited wealth (Psalm 62:9–10) but only God is eternal and absolute (Psalm 62:5–7).

David's faith in God's power allowed him to remain calm in the face of dangers (Psalm 62:1–2). Believers today can count on the Lord's capacity to save everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). He also has the power to hold the universe together (Hebrews 1:3), to destroy the devil (Hebrews 2:14), to save entirely those who come to Him through Jesus (Hebrews 7:25), to answer prayer (Philippians 4:6–7), to "do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20), and to empower believers to live righteous lives (Jude 1:24).

Psalm 62:9–12 closes this song with a contrast. Prior verses highlighted the sure, eternal, unshakable nature of the Lord God. This passage emphasizes human mortality and the futility of defying His will. God possesses power, loyal love, and the prerogative to judge every man through His perfect understanding.

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.

Accessed 4/28/2024 6:20:16 PM