Psalms 62:4 Meaning: When Blessings Mask Curses
They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
They only consult to thrust him down from his dignity; They delight in lies; They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. [Selah
Only--from his excellency They have consulted to drive away, They enjoy a lie, with their mouth they bless, And with their heart revile. Selah.
They only consult to thrust [him] down from his excellency; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but in their inward part they curse. Selah.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 62:4 describes enemies who bless outwardly but curse inwardly. Discover how David's silent trust in God counters such deceit.
Context
David wrote this psalm during a time of deep distress, likely when his own son Absalom conspired to steal the throne. The chapter opens with David declaring that his soul waits in silence for God alone. Then he turns to address his attackers, who are like a leaning wall ready to fall. In verse 4, he names their strategy: they plan to pull him down from the high place God gave him, and they do it with sweet words that hide bitter hearts. The whole first half of the psalm sets this picture of human treachery against David’s quiet confidence in God. Later verses urge the reader to pour out their heart before God, because He alone is a refuge.
Key Words
The English words only hint at the force of this verse. “Fully intend” suggests a settled plot, not a passing thought. “Delight in lies” goes beyond occasionally telling a falsehood, it means they take pleasure in deception, as Barnes noted, in secret plans of evil and hypocritical assurances. Then comes the sharp contrast: “They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.” The mouth speaks one thing; the heart whispers another. The word “inwardly” points to the hidden part of a person, the place where truth or poison lives. And the word “Selah” at the end calls for a pause. It asks the reader to stop and weigh what has been said, to sit in the gap between what people show and what God sees.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse as describing the kind of hypocritical enemies David faced, especially during Absalom’s rebellion. Protestant commentators like Barnes and Gill point directly to Absalom’s flattery and conspiracy. Calvin, writing from a Reformed perspective, focuses less on the historical setting and more on how David uses the enemy’s deceit to teach trust in God alone. The Cambridge Bible notes the gross hypocrisy as a lesson for all believers. Many traditions agree that this verse depicts a timeless pattern: people who speak peace but harbor harm. Whether the specific enemy is Absalom or a modern acquaintance, the psalmist’s response, silent dependence on God, remains the essential countermove.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers take this verse as a command to become experts at spotting hypocrites around them. In fact, David mentions the enemy’s deceit not to fuel suspicion but to show why he turns to God. The verse sets up a contrast: people may be false, but God is true. The real work is not exposing others; it is trusting the One who sees every heart.
Living This Out
This week you will hear words that sound good but feel off. A coworker praises you while angling for your position. A friend says “I’m fine” when something is clearly wrong. Or maybe you catch yourself saying the right thing while thinking the opposite. Before you react, remember David’s posture. He didn’t confront every liar or call out every flatterer. He brought the whole mess to God and stayed quiet. You can do the same. Let the gap between what people say and what they mean remind you that God hears everything. Rest your soul in Him, not in the shifting opinions of others.
Main takeaway: Even when surrounded by deceit, you can choose silent trust in God, who alone is your rock and salvation.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some people say nice things but don’t mean them. God sees what is in our hearts. When others are not honest, we can trust God because He always tells the truth.
For ages 9, 12
People sometimes say one thing but think another. That’s called hypocrisy, and David experienced it from his enemies. But David didn’t let their deceit upset him; he put his trust in God. You can do the same. Even when others are two-faced, you can be honest with God and rest in His care.
Questions People Ask
Who is the 'him' being thrown down in Psalm 62:4?
Most commentators agree the 'him' refers to David himself, the king whom God raised to a place of honor. The enemies plot to dethrone him, as happened when Absalom rebelled. Some also see it as referring to the psalmist's trust or honor, which the enemies aim to destroy.
What does 'Selah' mean in Psalm 62:4?
Selah is a musical or liturgical term found throughout the Psalms. Scholars believe it signals a pause for reflection or a musical interlude. At the end of this verse, it calls the reader to stop and consider the stark contrast between the enemy's smooth words and their hidden curses.
Is this verse specifically about Absalom's rebellion?
Many Protestant commentators like Barnes and Gill connect this verse to Absalom's conspiracy because of the flattery and hidden schemes described in 2 Samuel 15. Others, like Calvin, see the verse as a general description of the hypocritical enemies any believer may face. Both readings are faithful to the text.
How should Christians respond to people who bless with their mouth but curse inwardly?
David's response in the surrounding verses is model: he does not retaliate or expose them publicly. Instead, he waits silently for God, trusting that God sees the heart and will act justly. Christians are called to speak truth themselves and to leave judgment in God's hands.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study