Psalm 62 12

Psalm 62:12 kjv

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Psalm 62:12 nkjv

Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.

Psalm 62:12 niv

and with you, Lord, is unfailing love"; and, "You reward everyone according to what they have done."

Psalm 62:12 esv

and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

Psalm 62:12 nlt

unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people
according to what they have done.

Psalm 62 verses

Psalm 62 12 Meaning

Psalm 62:12 reveals two profound and distinct, yet harmoniously related, attributes of God: His steadfast love (ḥāseḏ) and His absolute justice in rendering to each person according to their deeds. This verse underscores God's commitment within His covenant to both unfailing faithfulness and impartial judgment, confirming His just governance over all of humanity. It highlights that God's faithful love does not negate His righteousness but rather underpins the equitable distribution of outcomes based on actions.

Psalm 62 12 Context

Psalm 62 is a psalm of profound trust and steadfast hope in God, despite facing relentless opposition and deceit from enemies. David, the presumed author, expresses his soul's dependence on God alone for salvation and defense (Ps 62:1-2, 5-7). He laments the lies and destructive plots of his adversaries (Ps 62:3-4) and warns against misplaced trust in human power, wealth, or fleeting gain (Ps 62:9-10). Amidst this backdrop of human treachery and instability, verses 11 and 12 serve as a theological anchor, asserting the unchanging nature and attributes of God as the ultimate source of security and justice. Verse 12 builds upon the declaration in verse 11 that "Power belongs to God," adding that "steadfast love" also belongs to Him, immediately followed by the declaration of His just administration of consequences for human actions. This statement grounds David's unwavering trust in a God who is not only all-powerful but also perfectly loving and righteous.

Psalm 62 12 Word analysis

• Also / And / For to You (וּלְךָ֨ - ū-lə-ḵā):

  • This emphatic conjunction links back to the previous verse (Ps 62:11), creating a coherent declaration of God's dual nature: "Power belongs to God; and to You, O Lord, belongs steadfast love."
  • Significance: It shows these two fundamental attributes—power and steadfast love—are not contradictory but co-exist perfectly in God, both exclusively belonging to Him.

• O Lord (אֲדֹנָ֥י - ʾă-ḏō-nāy):

  • This is the title Adonai, often translated as "Lord," implying ownership, mastery, and supreme authority.
  • Significance: It reinforces the ultimate sovereignty and mastership of God, affirming His right and capacity to exercise both love and justice. This title suggests His divine rule over all.

• steadfast love (חָ֑סֶד - ḥāseḏ):

  • A cornerstone Hebrew theological term, often translated as "loving-kindness," "mercy," "unfailing love," "loyal love," or "covenant faithfulness."
  • Significance: Ḥāseḏ is not mere sentiment but an active, committed, and dependable love demonstrated through deeds, particularly within the context of a covenant relationship. It is God's unwavering loyalty to His promises and His people. It ensures divine mercy and grace persist despite human failings. This word underscores God's commitment to goodness and restoration.

• for / because (כִּֽי - kî):

  • A conjunction introducing the reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
  • Significance: It links God's steadfast love directly to His act of rendering according to works. This connection implies that His justice is not separate from His love but an expression of it. God's unwavering faithfulness (ḥāseḏ) guarantees that justice will be impartially administered. It asserts that part of God's loyal love involves rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked.

• You (אַתָּ֖ה - ʾat-tāh):

  • An emphatic second-person singular pronoun.
  • Significance: It reiterates that God Himself, personally and directly, is the one who executes judgment, emphasizing His active involvement and unimpeachable authority. There is no delegation of this ultimate judicial role.

• render / repay / reward (תְשַׁלֵּ֥ם - təšallēm):

  • From the root שָׁלַם (shalam), meaning "to be complete," "to make whole," "to pay," "to recompense," or "to reward."
  • Significance: This implies a full, accurate, and equitable completion or payment of what is due. It refers to God's precise administration of justice, ensuring that consequences perfectly align with actions. This "rendering" applies to both blessing for righteousness and judgment for sin. It ensures balance and ultimate accountability in His universe.

• to each one (לְאִ֗ישׁ - lə-ʾîš):

  • Literally "to a man," encompassing every individual.
  • Significance: Highlights the universality and impartiality of God's justice. His judgment is personal and individual, yet applied equally to all, without favoritism or respect of persons. No one is exempt from divine accountability.

• according to his work / according to his deeds (כְּֽמַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ׃ - kəma‘ăśēhū):

  • Literally "according to his doing/making/act."
  • Significance: This establishes the principle of divine retribution based on human actions. God's judgment is based on the reality of what a person has done. It refers not just to external acts but can imply the nature and intention behind those acts as God sees the heart. This forms the bedrock of biblical ethics and accountability.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Also to You, O Lord, belongs steadfast love": This phrase explicitly attributes ḥāseḏ to God. It highlights God's unyielding commitment, kindness, and covenant faithfulness. Unlike unreliable human loyalty, God's love is immutable and an inherent part of His nature. This provides comfort and assurance to those who trust in Him, as His love forms the bedrock of His relationship with His people.
  • "for You render to each one according to his work": This clause provides the rationale for the preceding statement. It means that God's ḥāseḏ does not negate justice; rather, His loyal love ensures that justice is perfectly meted out. For the righteous, God's steadfast love means their faithfulness will be rewarded. For the wicked, His loyal love still ensures justice, protecting the cosmic order and the integrity of His character. It is a polemic against the idea of capricious deities or rulers who do not judge fairly. It affirms divine order where deeds have consequences, ultimately enforced by a loving, yet just, God.

Psalm 62 12 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of "power" (Ps 62:11) and "steadfast love" (Ps 62:12a), followed by "rendering according to work" (Ps 62:12b), highlights that God’s omnipotence is always tempered and guided by His divine love and justice. His ḥāseḏ is not sentimental weakness but a powerful, active force that maintains moral accountability. It's a statement against any philosophy or belief system that separates God's attributes or suggests that one negates the other. Specifically, it contrasts with ancient pagan deities who were often depicted as capricious, driven by whims rather than consistent justice or loyal love. God's administration of rewards and punishments is therefore neither arbitrary nor devoid of compassion, but an outflow of His perfect, committed character. The psalmist trusts God fully precisely because of these inseparable qualities: He has the power to deliver, the steadfast love to commit, and the justice to make things right according to deeds.

Psalm 62 12 Commentary

Psalm 62:12 unveils the beautiful complexity of God's character, particularly linking His attribute of ḥāseḏ (steadfast love or covenant faithfulness) with His execution of justice, where He renders to each person according to their work. This is not a paradox but a profound theological truth. God's ḥāseḏ guarantees that He will act in loyal commitment to His own righteous character and His covenants. This commitment manifests as blessing and reward for those who act righteously within His covenant, reflecting His gracious upholding of His promises. Simultaneously, it means that for those who act in rebellion or injustice, His very faithfulness to truth and righteousness requires impartial recompense, thereby ensuring the stability of moral order.

This verse therefore serves as both a comfort and a warning. It is a comfort to the upright, assuring them that God's unwavering love means their trust and obedience will never go unrewarded. For David, being unjustly persecuted, this was a profound source of hope – that the God who possessed infinite power (v. 11) also possessed unwavering loyal love and would justly deal with his adversaries according to their malicious deeds. It is a warning to the wicked and the complacent, reminding them that God’s justice is precise and inescapable. Unlike human judges who can be swayed, God is perfectly just; His rewards and consequences are a precise response to individual deeds, fully encompassing both external actions and inward motivations (as seen in cross-references like Jer 17:10). This divine order highlights that genuine steadfast love inherently involves perfect justice, bringing full completion (shalam) to every life based on its course.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • When feeling discouraged by seemingly unpunished evil, recall this verse for assurance that divine justice will prevail.
  • When tempted to cut corners or engage in unrighteousness, remember that God sees and renders according to all deeds, good or bad.
  • For those laboring faithfully for the Kingdom, this verse offers the comfort that God’s loyal love ensures their efforts are seen and will be rewarded.