The Meaning of Psalms 62:10 Explained

Psalms 62:10

KJV: Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

YLT: Trust not in oppression, And in robbery become not vain, Wealth -- when it increaseth -- set not the heart.

Darby: Put not confidence in oppression, and become not vain in robbery; if wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.

ASV: Trust not in oppression, And become not vain in robbery: If riches increase, set not your heart thereon .

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Trust  not in oppression,  and become not vain  in robbery:  if riches  increase,  set  not your heart  [upon them]. 

What does Psalms 62:10 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 62:1-12 - Our Only Rock And Refuge
This is the "Only" Psalm. It consists of three stanzas, each of which begins with that word and ends with Selah. It was probably composed during Absalom's rebellion.
Waiting, Psalms 62:1-4
They who wait for God, and God alone, cannot wait in vain. Though ringed around by men who hide their malice under specious words, the soul is not greatly moved. Their ring-fence of hate totters to its fall, but the inner wall of God's care is steadfast.
Silence, Psalms 62:5-8
Wait here, and in Psalms 62:1, may be rendered "is silent," "be silent." There are times when God seems so near that we cannot speak aloud, but are just silent before Him and breathe out our thoughts and desires.
Not disappointed, Psalms 62:9-12
Men and money are lighter than air, but God endures. His performances, unlike man's, weigh heavier than His promises. They who trust Him will be satisfied with an abundance of power and mercy, which are open to the poorest, but which gold can never buy. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 62

1  David, professing his confidence in God, discourages his enemies
5  In the same confidence he encourages the godly
9  No trust is to be put in worldly things
11  Power and mercy belong to God

What do the individual words in Psalms 62:10 mean?

Not do trust in oppression and in robbery nor vainly hope riches if increase do set [on them] [your] heart
אַל־ תִּבְטְח֣וּ בְעֹשֶׁק֮ וּבְגָזֵ֪ל אַל־ תֶּ֫הְבָּ֥לוּ חַ֤יִל ׀ כִּֽי־ יָנ֑וּב תָּשִׁ֥יתוּ לֵֽב

תִּבְטְח֣וּ  do  trust 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: בָּטוּחַ 
Sense: to trust.
בְעֹשֶׁק֮  in  oppression 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹשֶׁק  
Sense: oppression, extortion, injury.
וּבְגָזֵ֪ל  and  in  robbery 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גָּזֵל  
Sense: robbery, something plundered.
אַל־  nor 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
תֶּ֫הְבָּ֥לוּ  vainly  hope 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: הָבַל  
Sense: to act emptily, become vain, be vain.
חַ֤יִל ׀  riches 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חַיִל 
Sense: strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army.
יָנ֑וּב  increase 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נוּב  
Sense: to bear fruit.
תָּשִׁ֥יתוּ  do  set  [on  them] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: שִׁית  
Sense: to put, set.
לֵֽב  [your]  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.