They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

PSALMS 62:4KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 62:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 62:4 mean?

Psalms 62:4 describes people who secretly plot to bring someone down from a high position, enjoying falsehood and being two-faced—speaking kindly in public but cursing in their hearts. The verse highlights the contrast between outward words and inward intentions, pointing out the deceit and malice of these people.

David is the speaker in this psalm, reflecting on those who are against him, likely during a time of trouble or betrayal. He observes how his enemies consult together to undermine him, delighting in lies and hypocrisy. The mention of "Selah" invites the reader to pause and consider the seriousness of such duplicity.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 62:4

  • "consult" (יָעַץ, ya‘ats): This word means to advise or plot together. It emphasizes that the opposition is not accidental but a result of deliberate planning.
  • "excellency" (רָמָה, ramah): This term refers to a high position or dignity. The enemies are specifically targeting someone in a place of honor or authority.
  • "delight" (רָצָה, ratsah): Here, it means to take pleasure in something. The verse points out that the enemies actually enjoy lies, showing a deeper level of corruption.
  • "bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh) and "curse" (קָלַל, qalal): These words highlight the contrast between outward speech and inward feeling—blessing with the mouth but cursing inwardly (בְּקֶרֶב, beqerev), meaning deep inside or in their hearts.

Why Psalms 62:4 matters

  • Psalms 62:4 clears up the idea that opposition is sometimes hidden and carefully planned, not always open or obvious.
  • The verse exposes the danger of hypocrisy—people can appear supportive while secretly wishing harm.
  • This verse connects to the wider psalm by showing why David puts his trust in God alone, since people can be unreliable and deceitful.

Where else these words appear

“excellency” Hebrew H7613 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Leviticus 13:19 And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;
  • Job 13:11 Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?

“lies” Hebrew H3577 · used in 31 verses

  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
  • Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
  • Ezekiel 13:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

“down” Hebrew H5080 · used in 51 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
  • Nehemiah 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
  • Jeremiah 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

“delight” Hebrew H7521 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
  • Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.