Psalms 62:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The faithful must avoid seeking security through injustice or accumulating wealth, guarding against misplaced trust.
The Context of Psalms 62:10
The faithful are warned against seeking security through injustice, theft, or attachment to wealth.
What Does Psalms 62:10 Mean?
The verses shifts to practical wisdom about the spiritual dangers of various sources of false security. 'Trust not in oppression' warns against gaining power by cruelty or exploiting others. 'Become not vain in robbery' cautions against gaining wealth through theft or violence. Both clauses name ways that people attempt to secure themselves through wrongdoing, yet both prove spiritually hollow. Oppression and robbery are presented as routes to spiritual emptiness, not security.
'If riches increase, set not your heart upon them' addresses a subtler temptation: the danger of legitimate wealth becoming an idol. Even honest gain can deceive the heart into believing security comes from accumulation rather than from God. The heart that 'sets' itself upon riches divides its trust. The conditional 'if riches increase' acknowledges that some will gain wealth, yet the faithful are called to prevent their hearts from following those riches into idolatry.
Psalms 62:10 in the Original Language
betach (בִּטְחוּ), 'set not your heart' — to trust, depend on, or place confidence in something as a secure foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 62:10
What does Psalms 62:10 mean?
The faithful must avoid seeking security through injustice or accumulating wealth, guarding against misplaced trust.
What is the context of Psalms 62:10?
The faithful are warned against seeking security through injustice, theft, or attachment to wealth.