Psalms 62:5

"They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah."

Key Reflection

In the psalmist's time, this verse paints a vivid picture of political and social strife, reflecting the common experience of oppression and betrayal in ancient Israel. The people are depicted as those who seek to undermine their leaders—whether religious figures or rulers—by spreading lies and planning their downfall. This verse would have resonated with the audience as a warning against false friends and the treachery that often characterized political alliances and social hierarchies during that era, emphasizing the importance of placing one's trust in God rather than in human relationships.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

My soul, wait thou only upon God -See the notes atPsalms 62:1. There is, in the word used here, and rendered wait, the same idea of rest or repose which occurs inPsalms 62:1. The meaning is, that he would commit the whole cause to God, and that his soul would thus be calm and without apprehension. For my expectation is from him -InPsalms 62:1, this is salvation. The idea here is, that all that he expected or hoped for must come from God. He did not rely on his fellow men; he did not rely on himself. God alone could deliver him, and he confidently believed that God would do it. Often are we in such circumstances that we feel that our only “expectation” - our only hope - is in God.

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