Psalms 62:10

10 Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

Psalms 62:10 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 62:10

Trust not in oppression
Either in the power of oppressing others; see ( Isaiah 30:12 ) ; or in riches gotten by oppression, which being put into a man's hand by his friend, he keeps, and will not return them; so Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it of mammon unlawfully obtained; mammon of unrighteousness, or unrighteous mammon; see ( Jeremiah 17:11 ) ;

and become not vain in robbery;
in riches gotten by open rapine and theft; and men become vain herein when they boast of such riches, place their confidence in them, and think to make atonement for their sins by burnt sacrifices purchased with them, ( Isaiah 61:8 ) ;

if riches increase;
in a lawful way, in such manner as the fruits of the earth do, as the word ^F13 used signifies: if they increase in great abundance from a little, as from one grain of corn many proceed; and insensibly, as the seed sown grows up, a man knows not how, through diligence and the blessing of God from heaven;

set not your heart [upon them];
your affections on them; they are ensnaring, they are apt to take the heart from God, to draw off the affections from Christ and things above, to choke the word, and lead into many temptations and harmful lusts; let not your hearts be elated, or lifted up with them; be not highminded, or filled with pride and vanity on account of them; nor put any trust in them, for they are uncertain things. Jarchi interprets it of the increase of the riches of others; see ( Psalms 49:16 Psalms 49:17 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (bwny) "cum pullulaverit", Montanus; "efflorescunt", Cocceius; "germinant, fructificant", Amama.

Psalms 62:10 In-Context

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah]

9 Men of low estate are but a breath, men of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

10 Put no confidence in extortion, set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

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

12 and that to thee, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For thou dost requite a man according to his work.