Psalms 62:1–2
The psalmist’s soul waits in silence for God alone; he is his Rock
Study it word by word1For the director. On Jeduthun. A psalm of David. Only toward Elohim my soul is in silence; from him comes my salvation.
2Only he is my Rock and my salvation, my high refuge; I will not be greatly moved.
In its context
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3How long will you assail a man? Will you murder him, all of you, like a wall leaning, a fence pushed over?
4Only from his height they have resolved to push him down; they delight in lies; with their mouth they bless, but inwardly they curse. Selah.
Its words in the original
- מְנַצֵּחַmenatseach· direct, oversee
Direct: be in charge of a work or of the music of worship. From this word comes the title "for the director" of many psalms.
- יְדוּתוּןyedutun· Jeduthun
Jeduthun: a Levite, one of the three in charge of the singing in David's time, with Asaph and Heman.
- מִזְמוֹרmizmor· psalm
Psalm: a song sung with instruments. It is the title of many of the poems in the book of Psalms.
- דָוִדdavid· David
David, youngest son of Jesse, of Bethlehem; the second king of Israel. The name means "beloved."
- אֱלֹהִיםelohim· Elohim, God, gods
The Hebrew word usually translated "God". This translation keeps "Elohim" when it speaks of the one true God, the Creator, the God of Israel. The word ends like a plural, but it does not mean several: for him the verb is singular ("Elohim created"); the plural form expresses greatness. The same word as a common noun names the "gods" of other peoples, and there it is a true plural, translated "gods". It is also used of mighty ones or judges.
- דּוּמִיָּהdumiya· silence, stillness
Silence, stillness: being quiet and calm; also the rest of one who waits trustingly.
- נַפְשִׁnafshi· soul, living being, life
A breathing being, a living being. It is translated "living being" (people and animals), "life" (when living or dying is at stake), "person" (in counts and laws), "soul" (the person at the innermost: desires, joy, anguish) or "myself". In the Old Testament it names the whole living being, not only a part of it.
- יְשׁוּעָתִyeshuati· salvation
Salvation: the help with which God delivers from danger; also victory. The name "Jesus" (Yeshua) comes from the same root.
- צוּרִtsuri· rock
Rock, a large crag. It is also an image of God as a firm refuge.
- מִשְׂגַּבִּmisgabi· high refuge
A high, safe place that the enemy cannot reach: a height, a refuge on high. It is said of God as protection.
- אֶמּוֹטemot· totter, slip
Totter, slip, lose one's footing.
- רַבָּהraba· many, great
Many, much, abundant, great; also "elder" or "chief".