(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל יְדוּתוּן מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד: (ב) אַךְ אֶל אֱלֹקִים דּוּמִיָּה נַפְשִׁי, מִמֶּנּוּ יְשׁוּעָתִי:
(1) For the musician Yedusun, a mizmor by David. (2) My soul is quietly waiting, but only for G-d. My yeshuah comes from Him.
NOTE: For a PDF of this mizmor, please click here. This will enable you to print out the entire text of the article. [Rev. 2]
Key Concepts of Mizmor 062 – Practicing Patience
David composed this mizmor during a period when his kingdom was threatened by traitors from within. He needed to gather all his moral strength and his bitachon (trust) in Hashem to avoid taking an intemperate action, which he would later have regretted. Instead he declared his commitment to Hashem, and chose to wait for the problem to be resolved at the right time through Hashem’s yeshuah (salvation).
By means of this mizmor David counsels us that when things seem to go wrong we should not jump to conclusions, but have patience and pray to Hashem to make them right. The mizmor even contains a section in which David addresses the Jewish nation as a whole that he foresees will be suffering in a long and bitter exile. David anticipates through the power of nevuah (prophecy) that the people will be tempted to lose patience and put their trust in promises made by charlatans and other unethical people. He exhorts them not to go down that path but to pour their heart out to Hashem in teshuvah. For Hashem is the only power that can bring the Geulah (redemption).
Exploring the Mizmor
THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE. Although David is faced with internal enemies that are threatening to topple him from the throne, he declares his patience and trust in Hashem. He is confident that even if they weaken his hold on power, Hashem will enable him to survive.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל יְדוּתוּן מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד: (ב) אַךְ אֶל אֱלֹקִים דּוּמִיָּה נַפְשִׁי, מִמֶּנּוּ יְשׁוּעָתִי:
(ג) אַךְ הוּא צוּרִי וִישׁוּעָתִי מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט רַבָּה:
(1) For the musician Yedusun, a mizmor by David. (2) My soul is quietly waiting, but only for G-d. My yeshuah comes from Him. (3) He alone is my Rock and my yeshuah. [He is] my Stronghold, I will not falter much.
Navigating Tehillim. Another occasion on which David called upon the musician Yedusun was when he composed Mizmor 039, A Crisis of Conscience. At that time David was also faced with the need to overcome his frustration and wait patiently for his yeshuah to appear.
CHALLENGE TO THE TRAITORS. David challenges the traitors who are seeking to sabotage his position as king. He tells them he is not worried because Hashem will save him. They are foolishly taking risks in challenging him because their arrogance is misleading them.
(ד) עַד אָנָה תְּהוֹתְתוּ עַל אִישׁ תְּרָצְּחוּ כֻלְּכֶם כְּקִיר נָטוּי גָּדֵר הַדְּחוּיָה: (ה) אַךְ מִשְּׂאֵתוֹ יָעֲצוּ לְהַדִּיחַ יִרְצוּ כָזָב בְּפִיו יְבָרֵכוּ וּבְקִרְבָּם יְקַלְלוּ סֶלָה:
(4) Until when will you continue to plot ruin against a man? You will all be slain like a leaning wall, a tottering fence. (5) Each [of those traitors] is motivated only by his arrogance. They scheme to depose [me]. They take pleasure in deceit, blessing me with the mouth, but on the inside they curse me, Selah!
PATIENCE AND DEVOTION. With renewed confidence in the justice of his cause, David again declares his patience and his bitachon in the yeshuah that he is sure will come.
(ו) אַךְ לֵאלֹקִים דּוֹמִּי נַפְשִׁי כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ תִּקְוָתִי: (ז) אַךְ הוּא צוּרִי וִישׁוּעָתִי מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט: (ח) עַל אֱלֹקִים יִשְׁעִי וּכְבוֹדִי צוּר עֻזִּי מַחְסִי בֵּאלֹקִים:
(6) O my soul, wait quietly only for G-d, because my hope is from Him. (7) He alone is my Rock and my Yeshuah; my Stronghold, I will not stumble. (8) Upon G-d rests my yeshuah and my honor [as king]. He is the Rock of my strength; my refuge is in G-d.
EXHORTATION. Through the power of prophecy David now speaks to the nation at large and to the coming generations that will find themselves in a long and bitter Exile. He exhorts them to be patient and never give up hope, even when their oppressors are flourishing. The power of the wicked appears to give them security but it is like hot air and will ultimately disappoint them.
(ט) בִּטְחוּ בוֹ בְכָל עֵת עָם שִׁפְכוּ לְפָנָיו לְבַבְכֶם אֱלֹקִים מַחֲסֶה לָּנוּ סֶלָה: (י) אַךְ הֶבֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם כָּזָב בְּנֵי אִישׁ בְּמֹאזְנַיִם לַעֲלוֹת הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָחַד: (יא) אַל תִּבְטְחוּ בְעֹשֶׁק וּבְגָזֵל אַל תֶּהְבָּלוּ חַיִל כִּי יָנוּב אַל תָּשִׁיתוּ לֵב:
(9) Trust in Him [to bring the Geulah] at any moment, O people! Pour out your hearts before Him [in teshuvah]; G-d is a refuge for us, Selah. (10) [Wealth-gathering] men are but hot air! [Honor-seeking] men are deceit! Were they to be put up on scales together,they would weigh less than hot air. (11) Don’t trust in [your ability] to defraud and don’t place your empty hope in stealing. Though your wealth is flourishing, don’t set your heart on it.
CONCLUSION. David concludes the mizmor by reminding his listeners of the Second Commandment which describes how Hashem rules the world. Even though it may not be immediately apparent, Hashem insists upon strict accountability for sin and assures mankind of a generous reward for good (to thousands of generations). He created the world out of kindness and wants to fulfill His promise if man will only have patience.
(יב) אַחַת דִּבֶּר אֱלֹקִים שְׁתַּיִם זוּ שָׁמָעְתִּי כִּי עֹז לֵאלֹקִים: (יג) וּלְךָ אֲדֹ־נָי חָסֶד כִּי אַתָּה תְשַׁלֵּם לְאִישׁ כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ:
(12) One thing has G-d spoken, I have heard these two [things]: that strength belongs to G-d; (13) and Yours, Hashem, is kindness, for You repay each man according to his deeds.
Learning the Mizmor
THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל יְדוּתוּן
מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד:
מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד:
This song has been prepared for the musician — לַמְנַצֵּחַ – named Yedusun — עַל יְדוּתוּן , who will perform it. It is a mizmor composed by David — מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד .
(ב) אַךְ אֶל אֱלֹקִים דּוּמִיָּה נַפְשִׁי
מִמֶּנּוּ יְשׁוּעָתִי:
מִמֶּנּוּ יְשׁוּעָתִי:
Why am I calm and without fear, even in the presence of danger? Because my soul waits quietly, but only for G-d — אַךְ אֶל אֱלֹקִים דּוּמִיָּה נַפְשִׁי . I know that my yeshuah comes only from Him — מִמֶּנּוּ יְשׁוּעָתִי , even when it seems to be carried out through a human agent.
(ג) אַךְ הוּא צוּרִי וִישׁוּעָתִי
מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט רַבָּה:
מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט רַבָּה:
He alone is my Rock and the Source of my yeshuah — אַךְ הוּא צוּרִי וִישׁוּעָתִי – to achieve victory over my enemies. His yeshuah is a complete one. Even if I get into trouble, with Him as my Stronghold, I will not stumble much — מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט רַבָּה – from my position.
CHALLENGE TO THE TRAITORS
(ד) עַד אָנָה תְּהוֹתְתוּ עַל אִישׁ
תְּרָצְּחוּ כֻלְּכֶם כְּקִיר נָטוּי גָּדֵר הַדְּחוּיָה:
תְּרָצְּחוּ כֻלְּכֶם כְּקִיר נָטוּי גָּדֵר הַדְּחוּיָה:
[David speaks to his enemies within Yisrael who are conspiring to overthrow him:] Until when will you continue to plot ruin against a man — עַד אָנָה תְּהוֹתְתוּ עַל אִישׁ ? Don’t you realize that Hashem is my yeshuah, and by attacking me your fighting Him? Your position is inheritly weak and if you persist, you will all be slain like a leaning wall — תְּרָצְּחוּ כֻלְּכֶם כְּקִיר נָטוּי , a tottering fence — גָּדֵר הַדְּחוּיָה .
(ה) אַךְ מִשְּׂאֵתוֹ יָעֲצוּ לְהַדִּיחַ
יִרְצוּ כָזָב
בְּפִיו יְבָרֵכוּ וּבְקִרְבָּם יְקַלְלוּ סֶלָה:
יִרְצוּ כָזָב
בְּפִיו יְבָרֵכוּ וּבְקִרְבָּם יְקַלְלוּ סֶלָה:
Each one of those traitors is treacherous and is motivated only by his arrogance — אַךְ מִשְּׂאֵתוֹ , but together they scheme to depose me — יָעֲצוּ לְהַדִּיחַ . They take pleasure in deceit — יִרְצוּ כָזָב , blessing me with the mouth — בְּפִיו יְבָרֵכוּ , but on the inside they curse me, Selah — וּבְקִרְבָּם יְקַלְלוּ סֶלָה !
PATIENCE AND DEVOTION
(ו) אַךְ לֵאלֹקִים דּוֹמִּי נַפְשִׁי
כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ תִּקְוָתִי:
כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ תִּקְוָתִי:
O my soul, wait quietly only for G-d — אַךְ לֵאלֹקִים דּוֹמִּי נַפְשִׁי , because my only real hope is from Him — כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ תִּקְוָתִי . If the solution to my problems is not immediately forthcoming, I am not justified in turning to other sources of help, for they will be of no avail. Everything is determined by G-d and if He chooses to delay it is because of my own sins.
(ז) אַךְ הוּא צוּרִי וִישׁוּעָתִי
מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט:
מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט:
[With increasing assurance David repeats:] He alone is my Rock and the Source of my yeshuah — אַךְ הוּא צוּרִי וִישׁוּעָתִי . I now realize that there is a pattern of His repeatedly coming to my aid and the end result was good, no matter how bleak things seemed to be. Therefore I have renewed confidence that with Him as my Stronghold, I will not falter at all — מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט .
(ח) עַל אֱלֹקִים יִשְׁעִי וּכְבוֹדִי
צוּר עֻזִּי מַחְסִי בֵּאלֹקִים:
צוּר עֻזִּי מַחְסִי בֵּאלֹקִים:
Upon G-d rests the promise that He has made to grant my yeshuah — עַל אֱלֹקִים יִשְׁעִי – and my honor as King of Yisrael — וּכְבוֹדִי . And even without His specific promise, His characteristic kindness will insure that He is the Rock of my strength to help me overcome my enemies — צוּר עֻזִּי – and my refuge to protect me from them continues to be in G-d — מַחְסִי בֵּאלֹקִים .
EXHORTATION.
(ט) בִּטְחוּ בוֹ בְכָל עֵת עָם
שִׁפְכוּ לְפָנָיו לְבַבְכֶם
אֱלֹקִים מַחֲסֶה לָּנוּ סֶלָה:
שִׁפְכוּ לְפָנָיו לְבַבְכֶם
אֱלֹקִים מַחֲסֶה לָּנוּ סֶלָה:
[David speaks to the nation at large:] Even though you have endured the suffering of a long Exile, Trust in Him — בִּטְחוּ בוֹ – to bring your Geulah at any moment, O people — בְכָל עֵת עָם ! The Geulah will come if you do teshuvah, so pour out your hearts before Him in teshuvah — שִׁפְכוּ לְפָנָיו לְבַבְכֶם . G-d is a refuge for us, Selah — אֱלֹקִים מַחֲסֶה לָּנוּ סֶלָה !
(י) אַךְ הֶבֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם
כָּזָב בְּנֵי אִישׁ
בְּמֹאזְנַיִם לַעֲלוֹת הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָחַד:
כָּזָב בְּנֵי אִישׁ
בְּמֹאזְנַיִם לַעֲלוֹת הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָחַד:
If you are frustrated with waiting, don’t look to empty men for your yeshuah. Don’t rely upon men of hot air — אַךְ הֶבֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם , who devote themselves to building wealth. Just as hot air dissipates so will their wealth. Don’t rely on men of deceit — כָּזָב בְּנֵי אִישׁ , who devote themselves to building social position, because their importance will fade. Were they to be put up on scales — בְּמֹאזְנַיִם לַעֲלוֹת , both kinds of men on one side, together they would weigh less than hot air — הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָחַד – on the other side. The fact they seem to be flourishing is a sign of their being light in weight because the lighter weight side of the scales is what rises.
(יא) אַל תִּבְטְחוּ בְעֹשֶׁק
וּבְגָזֵל אַל תֶּהְבָּלוּ
חַיִל כִּי יָנוּב אַל תָּשִׁיתוּ לֵב:
וּבְגָזֵל אַל תֶּהְבָּלוּ
חַיִל כִּי יָנוּב אַל תָּשִׁיתוּ לֵב:
Even if you agree that men are not to be relied upon, you may be tempted to achieved your own success through unethical activities. But that is also a mistake. Don’t trust in your ability to defraud by withholding the money that you owe to a merchant or an employee — אַל תִּבְטְחוּ בְעֹשֶׁק , and don’t place your empty hope in stealing — וּבְגָזֵל אַל תֶּהְבָּלוּ – the property of others. Though your wealth may appear to be flourishing — חַיִל כִּי יָנוּב , don’t set your heart on it — אַל תָּשִׁיתוּ לֵב , because it will not last.
CONCLUSION.
(יב) אַחַת דִּבֶּר אֱלֹקִים
שְׁתַּיִם זוּ שָׁמָעְתִּי כִּי עֹז לֵאלֹקִים:
שְׁתַּיִם זוּ שָׁמָעְתִּי כִּי עֹז לֵאלֹקִים:
Even though life may sometimes seem unfair on the surface, Hashem rules the world wisely and your patience will ultimately be rewarded. This is evident from the Second Commandment, which speaks of strict accountability for sin and generous reward for righteousness. That is one thing that has G-d said — אַחַת דִּבֶּר אֱלֹקִים , and in it I have heard these two things — שְׁתַּיִם זוּ שָׁמָעְתִּי : The first of these is that strength belongs to G-d — כִּי עֹז לֵאלֹקִים – to punish the guilty.
(יג) וּלְךָ אֲדֹ־נָי חָסֶד
כִּי אַתָּה תְשַׁלֵּם לְאִישׁ כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ:
כִּי אַתָּה תְשַׁלֵּם לְאִישׁ כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ:
And the second is Your special quality of kindness, Hashem — וּלְךָ אֲדֹ־נָי חָסֶד , the quality that motivated Creation for You repay each man according to his deeds — כִּי אַתָּה תְשַׁלֵּם לְאִישׁ כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ – and the purpose of Creation is served when man acknowledges the presence of Hashem in his life and turns directly to Him. Thus, man rises to the challenge of Creation and makes himself worthy of being rewarded.
Living the Mizmor
Listed below are some of the lessons that you can draw from this mizmor, as well as some of the thoughts you might have in mind when you say the words of the mizmor as a tefillah, expressing your devotion to Hashem.
Lessons for Life – Your Attitude.
[62:2] BE PATIENT. – אַךְ אֶל אֱלֹקִים דּוּמִיָּה נַפְשִׁי, מִמֶּנּוּ יְשׁוּעָתִי – “My soul is quietly waiting, but only for G-d. My yeshuah comes from Him.” Even when your problems are overwhelming, be patient because your yeshuah can come only from Hashem. Reckless steps that you might be tempted to take will only make things worse.
[62:7] – אַךְ הוּא צוּרִי וִישׁוּעָתִי מִשְׂגַּבִּי לֹא אֶמּוֹט – “He alone is my Rock and my Yeshuah; my Stronghold, I will not stumble.” Don’t be deceitful toward those in lawful authority.
[62:8] – עַל אֱלֹקִים יִשְׁעִי – “Upon G-d rests my yeshuah.”
[62:5] BE HONEST. – יִרְצוּ כָזָב בְּפִיו יְבָרֵכוּ וּבְקִרְבָּם יְקַלְלוּ – “They take pleasure in deceit, blessing me with the mouth, but on the inside they curse me.” Don’t be deceitful toward those in lawful authority.
Lessons for Life – Your Behavior.
[62:9] DO TESHUVAH WITH ALL YOUR HEART. – שִׁפְכוּ לְפָנָיו לְבַבְכֶם – “Pour out your hearts before Him.” Do teshuvah and ask Hashem to bring the Geulah, but do it sincerely, with all your heart.
Tehillos for Life – Contemplation of Hashem.
[62:12] HIS STRENGTH. – אַחַת דִּבֶּר אֱלֹקִים שְׁתַּיִם זוּ שָׁמָעְתִּי כִּי עֹז לֵאלֹקִים – “One thing has G-d spoken, I have heard these two [things]: that strength belongs to G-d.” Hashem exercises His strength to punish the wicked.
[62:13] HIS KINDNESS. – וּלְךָ אֲדֹ־נָי חָסֶד כִּי אַתָּה תְשַׁלֵּם לְאִישׁ כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ – “and Yours, Hashem, is kindness, for You repay each man according to his deeds.” Because of His kindness, Hashem rewards righteousness to thousands of generations.
Sources
The primary source used in the interpretation of the verses of this mizmor are listed below.
א – רד”ק, דעת סופרים
ב – רש”י, רד”ק, אלשיך, מלבי”ם
ג – רד”ק, המאירי, אבן יחייא, באר אברהם
ד – באר אברהם, דעת סופרים
ה – מצודות
ו – אבן עזרא, אלשיך
ז – אבן עזרא, רד”ק
ח – מצודות, באר אברהם
ט – רד”ק
י – רד”ק, המאירי, בן־רמוך, ספורנו, מלבי”ם
יא – רש”י, רד”ק, ספורנו, נר לרגלי
יב – רש”י, באר אברהם, מלבי”ם, מאיר טוב
יג – רש”י, בן־רמוך, באר אברהם, מאיר טוב