Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even if wealth comes honestly, the psalm warns us not to "set your heart" on it. This isn't just about avoiding greed; it's about preventing our hearts from leaning on wealth for security and identity, which is a subtle trap even for those who don't acquire riches through wrongdoing.
Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist is calling people away from putting their faith in anything but God, contrasting the fleeting nature of human power and wealth with God's unchanging strength. Following warnings against trusting in people, this verse directly addresses the temptation to rely on ill-gotten gains or even naturally increasing wealth, reminding the listener that these earthly resources offer no true security.
Ever feel tempted to take a shortcut, bend a rule, or even outright cheat to get ahead? This verse warns us about the deceptive allure of wealth gained through unfair means.
The Psalmist issues a strong warning against putting our trust in 'oppression' and 'robbery.' These aren't just abstract sins; they represent the temptation to gain wealth and security by exploiting or harming others.
Forms of Unfair Gain:
The core issue here is misplaced trust. When we rely on wealth gained this way, we're building our security on a foundation of injustice, which is ultimately unstable and cursed by God.
What happens when wealth comes your way honestly? Does that mean it's safe to rely on? This verse gives us another crucial warning about even 'legitimate' riches.
The final part of the verse, 'if riches increase, set not your heart on them,' speaks to a more subtle danger. It’s not just about how you get wealth, but also about once you have it.
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The Danger of a Wealth-Entangled Heart:
The warning is clear: no matter how your wealth accumulates, it should never become the object of your deepest trust or affection.
Understand the original words
osheq · Hebrew Noun
To take by force, cheat, or obtain wealth through injustice; biblically condemned as a sign of ungodliness and a lack of fear for God’s righteous judgment.
hebel · Hebrew Adjective
Lacking substance, effectiveness, or truth; often associated with things that are empty, futile, or worthless compared to the eternal value of God's ways.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
The physical organ, but more significantly the seat of the mind, will, intellect, and affections; it is the center of human motivation and where true commitment to God is formed.
This Psalm was likely written during or shortly after Absalom's rebellion, highlighting the danger of trusting in human power, wealth obtained through injustice, and even honestly acquired riches, when facing political turmoil and social unrest.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign and Absalom's Rebellion
King David faces a significant rebellion led by his son Absalom, which shakes his kingdom. Many Israelites sided with Absalom, potentially driven by social discontent and promises of different leadership.
c. 1000 BC
Social Discontent in Israel
There were indications of social unrest and discontent among certain classes in Israel during David's reign, which may have fueled Absalom's rebellion. Some commentaries suggest this discontent was linked to perceptions of oppression.
c. 1000 BC
Warnings Against Oppression and Robbery
In the context of the rebellion, the Psalm warns against trusting in ill-gotten gains from oppression and robbery, implying that such means would ultimately fail.
c. 1000 BC
Caution Against Wealth
The Psalm extends its warning to include wealth honestly acquired, cautioning against setting one's heart on it, highlighting the danger of trusting in riches over God, regardless of their origin.
This proverb directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 62:10, warning that those who trust in their wealth will fall, contrasting it with the flourishing of the righteous.
Luke 12:15Jesus' warning against greed directly parallels the caution in Psalm 62:10 about setting one's heart on riches, highlighting the danger of trusting in possessions rather than God.
1 Timothy 6:10This passage speaks to the insatiable nature of the love of money, reinforcing the Psalm's caution against placing ultimate hope and trust in wealth, whether acquired righteously or not.
Jeremiah 7:4The condemnation of relying on ill-gotten gains ('stolen property, murder, adultery, etc.') in Jeremiah connects to the warning against oppression and robbery in Psalm 62:10, showing God's judgment on such trusts.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching that you cannot serve both God and money directly speaks to the heart of Psalm 62:10's warning, emphasizing that our ultimate allegiance and trust cannot be divided between the divine and material wealth.
pulpitPsalms 62:10: "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."
Verse 10. - Trust not in oppression (comp. ver. 3). The class that supported Absalom was the class of oppressors in Israel, whom David kept under and restrained as far as possible. The writer warns them against trusting in their power to oppress, since such strength as they have is not their own, but lent them by God. And become not vain in robbery; or, rely not vainly on r…
cambridgePsalms 62:10: "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."
10 . The first two lines (cp. Psalm 62:9 a , 11 a, b ) are a rhythmical division of what is logically one sentence: put not vain trust in oppression and robbery.’ Do not rely, for you will only be deceived, upon wealth and material resources amassed by violence and wrong, instead of trusting in God ( Psalm 62:8 ). It is a warning against the old temptation to follow might r…
Even if wealth comes honestly, the psalm warns us not to "set your heart" on it. This isn't just about avoiding greed; it's about preventing our hearts from leaning on wealth for security and identity, which is a subtle trap even for those who don't acquire riches through wrongdoing.
The Psalmist is calling people away from putting their faith in anything but God, contrasting the fleeting nature of human power and wealth with God's unchanging strength. Following warnings against trusting in people, this verse directly addresses the temptation to rely on ill-gotten gains or even naturally increasing wealth, reminding the listener that these earthly resources offer no true security.
The Psalmist is calling people away from putting their faith in anything but God, contrasting the fleeting nature of human power and wealth with God's unchanging strength. Following warnings against trusting in people, this verse directly addresses the temptation to rely on ill-gotten gains or even naturally increasing wealth, reminding the listener that these earthly resources offer no true security.
"Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them." — Even if wealth comes honestly, the psalm warns us not to "set your heart" on it. This isn't just about avoiding greed; it's about preventing our hearts from leaning on wealth for security and identit…
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Last reviewed October 2026