The big picture
Psalms 62 opens in verse 1 with “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 6 with “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.”, and closes in verse 12 with “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to…” Repeated or prominent terms include salvation, rock, belongeth, defence, degree. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 12Psalms 62:1-6
1–6: Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
Psalms 62:1–6 opens with “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” and reaches “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by salvation, defence, moved.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” Naming Truly keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 62:1-6
King James Version1Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
3How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
4They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
5My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
Psalms 62:7-12
7–12: In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my…
Psalms 62:7–12 opens with “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” and reaches “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by belongeth, degree, heart.
Context that brings the passage to life
“In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Psalms 62:7-12
King James Version7In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 62:1 begins with “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 62:3 forms a natural hinge: “How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.”
The final note
Psalms 62:12 leaves the reader with “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words salvation, rock, belongeth, defence, degree, heart help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.