Also unto thee O Lord belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.## Introduction - In Plain Language: God is both merciful and fair — He shows loving-kindness, and He gives people what their actions deserve. - Big idea: Psalm 62:12 sums up God’s character as both compassionate and just: He is merciful, yet He ultimately rewards or judges people according to what they have done. - Key points: - God’s mercy (steadfast love) belongs to Him; it’s a central part of who He is. - God is also just and will “render” or repay people according to their actions. - The verse balances two truths Christians live with: God’s loving kindness and God’s moral accountability. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Psalm 62 is a short trust psalm (traditionally attributed to David) that emphasizes waiting on God, refusing to trust human power, and relying on God as refuge. Verse 12 is the psalm’s closing line, summarizing God’s key attributes: sovereignty, mercy, and just recompense. - Story timeline: Traditionally placed in the period of David (10th century BC), though the exact situation is not specified. The speaker is the psalmist (likely David in the superscription), addressing God and the community of worshipers who face threats, injustice, and anxiety. - Surrounding passage (summary of verses before and after): - Verses immediately before (v. 11): “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God.” The psalmist affirms God’s authority and sovereignty. - Verse 12 (this verse) follows by affirming God’s mercy and His just dealings with people. - There is no verse after v. 12; the psalm ends here. The close ties the theme of trust to the assurance that God both loves and judges rightly. ## Explanation - Quick take: Psalm 62:12 tells us who God is — merciful by nature — and also reminds us that God will respond to people according to their deeds. It reassures the trusting believer: God’s power, mercy, and fairness are reasons to rest in Him. - In Depth: - Two complementary truths: The verse names mercy (Hebrew chesed) as belonging to the Lord, highlighting God’s covenantal, steadfast love. At the same time it says God “renders to every man according to his work,” affirming that God will deal rightly with people — rewarding good and answering wrongdoing. - “Render” or “repay”: The verb carries the idea of giving back or making recompense. In biblical thought this can include reward, judgment, restoration, or discipline — all administered by God’s wise and holy character. - Tension resolved: The Bible often holds mercy and justice together. God’s mercy doesn’t cancel justice; rather, God’s justice is informed by His faithful love. For believers that means hope for forgiveness and also a reminder of moral accountability. - Practical reassurance: For someone who trusts God, this verse is comforting: even when human courts fail, the ultimate Judge is both compassionate and reliably just. ## Key Words - chesed (חֶסֶד) — “mercy,” “steadfast love,” or “lovingkindness”: covenantal loyalty and kindness that goes beyond what is deserved. - ma‘aseh (מַעֲשֶׂה / מַעֲשָׂיו) — “work(s),” “deed(s)”: a person’s actions or behavior. - shalam (שָׁלַם / תְּשַלֵּם) — “to repay,” “to recompense,” “to render”: the act of giving back or rendering an account. ## Background - Ancient cultural note: In the ancient Near East, gods were often pictured as capricious or primarily interested in sacrifice and ritual. Israel’s God, however, is consistently described as both merciful (chesed) and just — He cares about relationships and the moral order. - Literary role: As the psalm’s final statement, verse 62:12 functions as a theological summary: God possesses power (v. 11), mercy (v. 12), and the right to render justice — a compact assurance for the reader/listener. - Covenant context: Chesed is a rich covenantal term in Hebrew scripture. It points not only to kindness but to faithful, loyal action grounded in God’s promises. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God’s character is relational and moral: He is loving toward His people and also a righteous judge. - Mercy and justice coexist in God’s governance of the world — one does not eliminate the other. - The way God repays people according to their deeds underscores accountability without negating God’s capacity to show mercy. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Do your job with integrity. Even if human bosses don’t notice, the ultimate Judge sees your efforts and character — and God’s justice and mercy operate beyond office politics. - For parents: Teach children both the comfort of God’s mercy and the reality that actions have consequences. Model kindness and accountability. - For seekers and those feeling judged: This verse offers hope — God’s mercy belongs to Him, and He is not indifferent. Approach God with honesty; expect both pardon and transformation. - For those worn out by injustice: Rest in the truth that earthly injustice isn’t the final word; God will make things right according to His wisdom. - Reflection questions: - Where am I trusting human strength instead of God’s mercy and justice? - How does the promise that God “renders according to his work” shape my daily choices? - In what ways do I need God’s mercy today? - Short prayer: Lord, thank You that mercy belongs to You and that You are just; help me trust Your kindness, live responsibly, and leave ultimate judgment in Your hands. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.” - ESV: “Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord, for you repay man according to his work.” - NIV: “Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord, for you reward everyone according to what they have done.” - NRSV: “Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord; for you repay all according to their deeds.” - Why differences matter: The choice of words like “mercy,” “steadfast love,” or “lovingkindness” translates Hebrew chesed and affects how we feel God’s character — is He tender, faithful, or covenantally loyal? Similarly, “render,” “repay,” “reward,” or “recompense” carry slightly different tones — some emphasize fair accounting, others emphasize gracious giving. These nuances shape how readers balance the ideas of grace and accountability. ## FAQs - Q: Does Psalm 62:12 teach salvation by works? A: No — this verse is not teaching salvation as something earned by works. In the wider biblical testimony, salvation in the New Testament is by grace through faith (e.g., Ephesians 2:8–9). Psalm 62:12 addresses God’s moral governance: He is merciful and also justly responds to human behavior. In other words, there is a difference between how a person is made right with God (the gospel) and the ongoing reality that actions have consequences, and God will deal with people according to their deeds. For believers, good works are the fruit of faith and partnership with God, not the root of salvation. For those outside the covenant, the verse functions as a sober reminder of accountability before a just God. - Q: How do mercy and “rendering according to work” fit together — won’t justice cancel mercy? A: Mercy and justice reflect different aspects of God’s character that work together, not against each other. God’s mercy (chesed) is His faithful, compassionate commitment to people, often shown in forgiveness and covenant care. “Rendering according to work” highlights that God is also a moral judge who responds to human choices. In the Bible, God’s judgments often include merciful elements — correction, restoration, and the opportunity for repentance. For believers, this means we experience mercy in the context of God’s holiness and loving discipline. For those who reject God, the verse warns of just consequences. The balance calls us to depend on God’s mercy while living responsibly. ## Cross References - Psalm 62:11 — “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God.” (Precedes v.12; ties power and mercy together.) - Deuteronomy 32:4 — “He is the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity…” (God’s justice and faithfulness.) - Romans 2:6 — “God will repay each person according to what they have done.” (New Testament echo of divine recompense.) - Revelation 22:12 — “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Final judgment and reward language.) - Galatians 6:7 — “For whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Principle of moral consequence.) ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentaries treat Psalm 62 as a personal declaration of trust that concludes with a theological summary: God is sovereign (v.11), merciful (v.12a), and just in recompense (v.12b). Scholars note the compact, poetic way the psalmist affirms that ultimate justice rests with a merciful God. Some stress the covenantal nuance of chesed; others highlight the verse’s ethical call — trust God and live in light of His moral governance. - Group study bullets: - Read Psalm 62 aloud and identify words or phrases that bring you comfort; discuss why. - Compare translations of v.12 and talk about how each word choice shapes your perception of God. - Share a situation where you’ve seen mercy and justice both at work; how should that shape a Christian response? - Pray together asking for humility to receive God’s mercy and courage to live responsibly. ## Related verses (to compare and contrast — and why) - Romans 2:6 — “God will repay each person according to what they have done.” Why: New Testament restatement of divine recompense; useful to see how the NT applies the idea to judgment and reward. - Psalm 103:8–10 — “The LORD is merciful and gracious… he does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” Why: Balances the idea that God is merciful and does not give people their full due when He shows forgiveness — illustrating mercy in action. - Deuteronomy 32:4 — “All his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity.” Why: Emphasizes God’s just character in the covenantal law tradition, complementing Psalm 62’s portrait of God. ## Talk to the Bible Try the “Talk To The Bible” feature to explore this verse further. Suggested prompts: - “Show me other places in the Bible where God’s mercy and justice are placed together, and summarize how they relate.” - “How does the New Testament explain ‘God will render to every man according to his work’ in light of salvation by grace?” - “Give me a short personal prayer and a one-week action plan based on Psalm 62:12 for someone who wants to live more faithfully.”
