Psalm 62:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

NIV: My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

NASB: My salvation and my glory rest on God; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

CSB: My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God.

NLT: My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

KJV: In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

NKJV: In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.

This psalm frequently repeats the metaphor of God as a "rock." The implication is that of safety and security. Anchoring a structure to solid rock gives it the best possible foundation (Luke 6:48). Fortresses—both in the ancient world and more recently—are frequently built on rocky terrain and composed of rock-like materials. Thick stone walls radiate a sense of power and security, far more than wood or soil. God can keep David completely safe from his enemies, so David can experience calm in the face of danger (Psalm 62:1–2, 5–6).

Further, David calls attention to the Lord's power, calling God "mighty." David places all his trust for salvation in the Lord alone. In the same way, David relies on God to guide whatever will happen in his life. His "glory"—David's success and accomplishments—are grounded in his relationship with God.

A key teaching of Scripture is that salvation is anchored in God alone. No person can earn their way into heaven by adding up good deeds or avoiding bad ones (Ephesians 2:1–10). Attaining eternity with the Lord (Romans 6:23) happens only when a person humbly, submissively depends on God's faithfulness, rather than on their own efforts (Titus 3:5). Further, whatever credit there might be for a believer's success should be credited to the God who made it possible. Colossians 3:4 promises: "When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." God deserves all the credit for the believer's salvation and glory.

Psalm 62:5–8 demonstrates David's confidence in God to answer prayer. David identifies God as his source of confidence and assurance. This begins by repeating the same ideas seen in the opening lines of the psalm (Psalm 62:1–2), in slightly different words. By repeating metaphors such as "rock," David emphasizes the unshakable nature of his deep faith. He encourages others to make the same choice: trusting the Lord with sincerity.

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.