Psalm 62 11

Psalm 62:11 kjv

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

Psalm 62:11 nkjv

God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.

Psalm 62:11 niv

One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: "Power belongs to you, God,

Psalm 62:11 esv

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

Psalm 62:11 nlt

God has spoken plainly,
and I have heard it many times:
Power, O God, belongs to you;

Psalm 62 verses

Psalm 62 11 Meaning

Psalm 62:11 declares a fundamental truth about God's nature: His exclusive and absolute power. The phrase "God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this" serves as an emphatic Hebrew idiom, highlighting the singular, authoritative, and profoundly certain revelation of this truth. It is not that God spoke twice on the same topic, but that the one, definitive declaration – that all power inherently belongs to Him – has been so deeply understood and confirmed within the psalmist's experience that it is beyond doubt. This verse serves as the bedrock for the psalmist's unwavering trust in God amidst adversity, affirming His sovereignty over all creation and human affairs.

Psalm 62 11 Context

Psalm 62 is a "Psalm of David," deeply rooted in a context of personal distress, betrayal, and reliance solely on God. While the exact historical setting is debated, many scholars attribute it to periods of profound opposition, such as Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 15-18). Throughout the psalm, David expresses his absolute trust in God as his "rock," "salvation," and "stronghold," against enemies who scheme against him (vv. 3-4). He contrasts the futility of trusting in human power, status, or riches (vv. 9-10) with the steadfastness of God's unwavering might. Verse 11, then, stands as the ultimate theological rationale for this singular trust. It directly precedes verse 12, "And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord; For You reward each according to his work," presenting a comprehensive view of God's character: omnipotence balanced with grace and righteous judgment. The cultural backdrop includes a stark contrast to surrounding polytheistic nations, where various deities held limited domains of power. Here, the Psalmist declares Yahweh's unique and undivided sovereignty, asserting monotheism against any fragmenting of divine authority.

Psalm 62 11 Word analysis

• God (אלוהים - Elohim): This Hebrew term is a generic name for God, emphasizing His majestic and transcendent nature. Its use here points to His universal authority and sovereign dominion, distinct from a covenantal name like Yahweh, thus underlining His intrinsic power over all creation and every circumstance.
• has spoken (דִּבֶּר - Dabar): Signifies an authoritative, definitive, and active declaration, not merely an utterance. It implies an originating act of divine revelation.
• once (אחת - Achath): Literally "one." This emphasizes the singularity and uniqueness of the revelation. It's a complete, settled, and undeniable pronouncement, carrying the full weight of divine truth.
• Twice (שְׁתַּיִם - Shetayim): Literally "two." This, paired with "once," forms a Hebrew idiom of intensification or emphatic certainty. It does not mean God spoke a second time differently, but that the one divine truth has been heard, understood, and received with profound confirmation and undeniable clarity. It underlines the Psalmist's deep comprehension and firm grasp of this truth.
• I have heard this (זוּ שָׁמַעְתִּי - Zu Shama'ti): "Zu" (this) refers back to what was spoken. "Shama'ti" (I have heard) denotes more than just auditory perception; it implies attentive hearing that leads to understanding, acceptance, and internal conviction. It's the psalmist's personal appropriation of this revealed truth.
• That (כִּי - Ki): A particle often meaning "that," "for," or "because." Here, it introduces the content of what was spoken and profoundly heard—the specific revelation itself.
• power (עֹז - Oz): Refers to absolute strength, might, vigor, or fortitude. It denotes inherent and invincible power, not merely capability. It's comprehensive, all-encompassing power.
• belongs to God (לֵאלֹהִים - L'Elohim): The prefix "לְ" (L') means "to" or "for," indicating inherent possession and exclusive attribution. Power is not external to God, nor is it merely something He wields; it is an intrinsic part of His being. It signifies that He is the sole, ultimate source and owner of all true power.
• Words-group: "God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this": This is a parallelism of intensification, a rhetorical device common in Hebrew poetry. It signals the supreme importance and certainty of the following declaration. It’s God’s firm and singular word, reverberating so strongly in the psalmist’s mind that its truth is absolutely confirmed. It's similar to "Amen, Amen" (Truly, truly) or the structure found in Amos "for three transgressions and for four," used to build toward an unavoidable conclusion. It establishes the divine origin and undeniable reality of the truth to follow.
• Words-group: "That power belongs to God": This is the immutable core truth, revealed by God and grasped by the psalmist. It’s a definitive statement of monotheism and divine sovereignty, declaring God as the ultimate, exclusive, and inherent source of all might. This assertion profoundly counters any belief that power truly resides in human leaders, armies, idols, or worldly schemes.

Psalm 62 11 Bonus section

• The declaration in Psalm 62:11 can be understood as a confession of faith rooted in divine revelation, rather than a philosophical deduction. It's a truth proclaimed by God and embraced by the human heart.
• This verse undergirds the entire doctrine of divine providence, as God's inherent power guarantees His ability to govern all things according to His will and for His glory.
• In the New Testament, this truth finds its ultimate expression in Christ, "the power of God" (1 Cor 1:24). The resurrection itself is the ultimate demonstration of God's overwhelming power over death and sin (Eph 1:19-20).
• The profound hearing implied by "twice I have heard this" suggests not just intellectual assent but a transformative internalization of the truth, leading to practical reliance and hope in God. This contrasts with mere casual hearing, leading to spiritual inertia.
• The context of divine power also includes the ability to execute justice and show lovingkindness, showing a complete, integrated picture of God's character beyond mere raw strength.

Psalm 62 11 Commentary

Psalm 62:11 stands as the theological pivot of the psalm, grounding David's unwavering trust in God. It distills the essence of God's self-revelation: that all ultimate, inherent power resides exclusively with Him. The phrase "God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this" is not a claim about multiple divine utterances, but a powerful Hebraic literary device emphasizing the certainty and profound impact of one unassailable truth. It's God's decisive, single declaration that is heard and assimilated with such conviction that its truth becomes undeniable and deeply ingrained in the psalmist’s heart and mind. This absolute reality, that "power belongs to God," dismisses all other claimants to ultimate strength, whether human kings, armies, idols, or personal resources. This truth liberates the believer from fear and reliance on transient, deceptive sources of strength (as highlighted in vv. 9-10). It asserts God's supreme omnipotence, ensuring that His lovingkindness and just judgment (v. 12) are exercised by one who is perfectly capable of fulfilling His word and purposes. For the believer, recognizing that all true power originates from and is inherent in God means that hope can be anchored securely in Him alone, irrespective of surrounding turmoil or perceived human weakness. This foundational understanding allows one to rest in God's capacity to save, protect, and fulfill His promises. For example, when faced with overwhelming opposition, like David, understanding that "power belongs to God" redirects faith from what seems powerful to what is eternally powerful.