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

PSALMS 62:10KJV
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Psalms 62:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 62:10 mean?

Psalms 62:10 warns readers not to put their trust in gaining wealth through unjust means like oppression or robbery, and not to let their hearts become attached to riches even if they grow. The verse urges people to avoid relying on dishonest gain and to keep their desires from being captured by material wealth.

King David is speaking in this psalm, addressing those who might be tempted to seek security or satisfaction through wealth, especially when it is gained wrongly. The verse fits into a larger passage where David encourages trusting in God alone, not in human schemes or possessions, and highlights the emptiness of building life on anything but God’s faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 62:10

  • "Trust" (בָּטַח, batach) here means to rely on or feel secure in something. The verse uses it negatively, warning not to find security in oppression.
  • "Oppression" (עֹשֶׁק, osheq) refers to gaining by exploiting or mistreating others. The verse singles this out as a false foundation for trust.
  • "Vain" (הֶבֶל, hebel) is often used for something empty or meaningless. It points to the futility of thinking robbery can bring lasting satisfaction.
  • "Set" (שִׁית, shith) means to place or fix something, in this case, the heart. The verse warns not to let your heart become fixed on wealth, even if it increases.

Why Psalms 62:10 matters

  • Psalms 62:10 corrects the common idea that wealth, especially if easily gained, can provide real security or happiness.
  • The verse emphasizes that the problem is not just in how wealth is gained, but also in the attitude toward it—even honest riches can capture the heart if not kept in perspective.
  • By connecting to the rest of Psalm 62, this verse highlights a contrast between trusting in God and trusting in material things, sharpening the psalm’s overall message about where true security lies.

Where else these words appear

“robbery” Hebrew H1498 · used in 4 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Isaiah 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
  • Ezekiel 22:29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

“increase” Hebrew H5107 · used in 4 verses

  • Psalms 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
  • Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
  • Zechariah 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

“vain” Hebrew H1891 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 17:15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.
  • Job 27:12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?
  • Jeremiah 2:5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

“oppression” Hebrew H6233 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 6:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
  • Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
  • Jeremiah 22:17 But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.