Psalm 62:4

Psalm 62:4

ESV: They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah

KJV: They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

NIV: Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.

NKJV: They only consult to cast him down from his high position; They delight in lies; They bless with their mouth, But they curse inwardly. Selah

NLT: They plan to topple me from my high position.
They delight in telling lies about me.
They praise me to my face
but curse me in their hearts. Interlude

Meaning

Psalm 62:4 describes the malicious character and deceptive intentions of the psalmist's enemies. These adversaries are portrayed as single-minded in their scheme to dethrone or humble the righteous from their exalted position or dignity, plotting with deliberation. They derive pleasure from fabricating and spreading falsehoods, indicating a profound moral corruption. Their duplicity is evident in their actions: while they outwardly utter blessings or pleasant words with their mouths, their hearts are filled with desires to curse, slander, and cause harm. This verse exposes the deep-seated hypocrisy and treachery that the psalmist faces.

Cross References

Context

Psalm 62 is a "Psalm of David," characterized by unwavering trust in God amidst profound personal distress caused by treacherous enemies. David explicitly declares his soul's waiting upon God (vv. 1, 5) and God alone as his rock, salvation, and fortress (vv. 2, 6-7). This specific verse, 62:4, articulates the precise nature of the adversaries David faces. Their active plotting and deceitful actions contrast sharply with David's steadfast reliance on divine truth and justice, highlighting the immense spiritual and personal battle he endured. Historically, David frequently encountered such opposition, notably from King Saul, the rebellion led by his son Absalom, or treacherous counselors like Ahithophel, where outward loyalty could conceal deadly intent. The verse paints a picture of intense relational and political conflict, framing David's resolve to trust only in the Lord.

Word analysis

• They only consult: Hebrew ya'atsu (יעצו), from the root ya'ats (יעץ), meaning "to counsel, advise, plan, plot." The prefix "only" (אַךְ – ach) emphasizes their single-minded, concentrated effort and purpose against him. This suggests premeditated malice, not spontaneous acts.
• to cast him down: Hebrew lehadduch (להדוח), Hifil infinitive construct of dachah (דחה), "to push, thrust, overthrow, cast out." The Hifil stem signifies causative action, meaning "to cause him to be cast down." It denotes a violent or forceful removal from a position.
• from his excellency: Hebrew mim'marom (ממרום), "from their height," "from a high place/exalted position." The KJV's "his excellency" (referring to the psalmist) aligns well with this. It refers to David's status, dignity, or divine appointment as king. The adversaries seek to destroy not just his person, but his God-given position.
• they delight in lies: Hebrew chaf'tsu (חפצו) from chafets (חפץ), "to delight in, take pleasure in," and sheqer (שקר), "falsehood, lie, deception." This phrase highlights the moral depravity of the enemies; they don't just use lies as a tool, but find perverse satisfaction in them. Lies are integral to their nature, showing utter corruption and opposition to God's truth.
• they bless with their mouth: Hebrew y'varechu (יברכו) from barach (ברך), "to bless." This points to superficial, outwardly gracious, or flattering words spoken with the lips. It signifies a performance of loyalty or goodwill.
• but they curse inwardly: Hebrew y'qal'lu (יקללו) from qalal (קלל), "to make light of, treat with contempt, curse," and qir'bam (קרבם), "their inward part, their midst, heart, core." This reveals the deep hypocrisy. Their true malicious intent, concealed from view, stands in stark contrast to their feigned blessing, showing double-mindedness and betrayal. Their heart is revealed as the true source of their evil.

• "They only consult to cast him down from his excellency": This phrase details the conspiracy against the righteous. The consultation indicates planned malevolence. The target is the very "excellency" or dignified position the Lord has bestowed, revealing a spiritual battle against divine ordination. This aligns with opposition Christ faced, whose enemies plotted to remove Him from His authority.
• "they delight in lies": This points to a foundational aspect of their character. Lying is not merely a tactic, but a source of pleasure and integral to their being. This characteristic identifies them as diametrically opposed to God, who is Truth. Their allegiance is to falsehood itself.
• "they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly": This encapsulates their profound duplicity and hypocrisy. The outward expression is a deceptive veneer, hiding a heart full of malice. This dual nature is a significant biblical theme of warning, demonstrating that true spiritual integrity originates from the heart, not mere outward show.

Commentary

Psalm 62:4 unmasks the sinister and duplicitous nature of the opposition David faced, which mirrors the spiritual warfare encountered by believers through all ages. The verse meticulously reveals how enemies, driven by malice, dedicate their counsel and efforts to overthrow those elevated by God. Their primary tool and perverse pleasure are rooted in falsehood, underscoring a deep spiritual antagonism to divine truth. This foundational embrace of lies enables their hypocrisy, as they manipulate appearances by offering verbal blessings while harboring true, damning curses in their hearts. This profound internal contradiction — a mouth that blesses but a heart that curses — is a hallmark of deceit. Such opposition compels the righteous to cease trusting in fickle human allegiances and to place their full confidence solely in the unwavering character of God, as the wider psalm attests. This provides a clear discerning lens for understanding where true threat and true security lie. For instance, in our own lives, one might observe similar duplicity in professional rivals who praise publicly but undermine privately, or in friendships where a seemingly supportive facade hides jealousy or malicious intent. The lesson is constant vigilance and rootedness in divine truth.

Bonus section

This verse offers significant insight into the nature of spiritual opposition, revealing it to be intrinsically rooted in deception and hypocrisy. It is not merely accidental antagonism but a deliberate, well-considered plan (consult) aimed at stripping away dignity and divine favour (excellency). The pleasure taken in lies shows a will aligned with darkness, directly echoing John 8:44 where Jesus describes the devil as a liar and the father of lies. This aligns the psalmist's human adversaries with the very essence of spiritual evil. The "bless with their mouth, but curse inwardly" reveals a common tactic of deception found throughout history, from ancient courts to modern relationships and even religious circles, highlighting that outward piety or pleasantries can conceal deep-seated malevolence. It is a potent warning against superficial judgments and a call to discern hearts.

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