A bit of background: I'm in a bit of a spiritual battle at the moment. A church leader has hurt both my wife and I by his words and conduct. My nature is to react strongly (one of my 'life verses' is Proverbs 12:18, "There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword" and believe me, I'm good at it). I'm trying to restrain myself and handle this rightly but it has been hard given a life long habit of reacting.
Anyway, I was looking for something to encourage me to do the right thing and I seemed to be led to Psalm 62, and it does seem to have spoken to me.
Where I have the question is verse 10. "Do not trust in oppression, And do not vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them."
Several things seemed to attract my attention here. First of all, the supplied words (in the NASB) is always a caution to me about the translation. Secondly, the whole psalm seems to be about our own strength versus God's strength. So where did the word "riches" get in here - it seems totally out of context here. That prompted a study of the Hebrew word and it would seem the "
strength" or even "
pain or
sorrow" would fit my situation better. In other words,
"Don't strike back just because you have the ability or strength to do so" or if "
sorrow", then, "
Don't set your heart on it, in other words, don't dwell on it, rather look to God."
The problem is that every single English translation uses the word riches or equivalent. I'm never comfortable putting my own interpretation on something when I can't find a single support for it, and yet, looking at the Hebrew words and forms involved it would seem to be an acceptable interpretation.
Any thoughts would be welcome.
