Psalms 31
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The prayer of a believer in time of deep distress. In the first part, cries for help are mingled with expressions of confidence. Then the detail of griefs engrosses his attention, till, in the assurance of strong but submissive faith, he rises to the language of unmingled joyful trust and exhorts others to like love and confidence towards God. (Psa. 31:1-24) Expresses the general tone of feeling of the Psalm.
Open source ↗In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,.... Not in any creature, but in the Lord Jehovah; the Targum, "in thy Word"; the essential Logos, or Word, which was in the beginning with God, and was God, and so an equal object of faith, trust, and confidence, as Jehovah the Father: this act includes a trusting all with God, body and soul, and the welfare of them, in time, and to eternity; and a trusting him for all things, both of providence and grace, and for both grace and glory, and is a continued act; for the psalmist does not say, "I have trusted", or "I will trust", but "I do"; and this was a very consider able thing to do in this time of his distress: the Lord is to be trusted in at all times; let me never be ashamed; neither in this world, nor in that to come. The believer has no reason to be ashamed of anything in this life but sin, and the imperfection of his own righteousness, and his trust in it; not of the Lord, in whom he trusts; nor of his Word, or Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom he believes as his Saviour and Redeemer; nor of the Spirit, and his work of grace upon him; nor of his faith, hope, trust, and confidence in them; nor of the Gospel, the means of faith, and of the support of it; nor of, the reproaches, afflictions, and sufferings, he endures for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; nor of his ordinances and his people; nor will he be ashamed hereafter at the coming of Christ, when he will appear in his righteousness, be clothed with white robes, have palms in his hands, and shall stand at his right hand, and be received into glory; deliver me in thy righteousness; not in his own, by which he knew there was no acceptance with God, no justification before him, nor any deliverance and salvation from sin and death; but by the righteousness of God, which the S…
Open source ↗(Heb.: 31:2-9) The poet begins with the prayer for deliverance, based upon the trust which Jahve, to whom he surrenders himself, cannot possibly disappoint; and rejoices beforehand in the protection which he assumes will, without any doubt, be granted. Out of his confident security in God (הסיתי) springs the prayer: may it never come to this with me, that I am put to confusion by the disappointment of my hope. This prayer in the form of intense desire is followed by prayers in the direct form of supplication. The supplicatory פלּטני is based upon God's righteousness, which cannot refrain from repaying conduct consistent with the order of redemption, though after prolonged trial, with the longed for tokens of deliverance. In the second paragraph, the prayer is moulded in accordance with the circumstances of him who is chased by Saul hither and thither among the mountains and in the desert, homeless and defenceless. In the expression צוּר מעוז, מעוז is genit. appositionis: a rock of defence (מעוז from עזז, as in Psa 27:1), or rather: of refuge (מעוז = Arab. m‛âd, from עוּז, עוז = Arab. 'âd, as in Psa 37:39; Psa 52:9, and probably also in Isa 30:2 and elsewhere); (Note: It can hardly be doubted, that, in opposition to the pointing as we have it, which only recognises one מעוז (מעז) from עזז, to be strong, there are two different substantives having this principal form, viz., מעז a fortress, secure place, bulwark, which according to its derivation is inflected מעזּי, etc., and מעוז equivalent to the Arabic ma‛âdh, a hiding-place, defence, refuge, which ought to have been declined מעוזי or מעוּזי like the synonymous מנוּסי (Olshausen 201, 202). Moreover עוּז, Arab. 'âd, like חסה, of which it is the parallel word in Isa 30:2, means to hide one's self anywhere (Piel and Hi…
Open source ↗Faith and prayer must go together. He that believes, let his pray - I believe, therefore I have spoken: and he that prays, let him believe, for the prayer of faith is the prevailing prayer. We have both here. I. David, in distress, is very earnest with God in prayer for succour and relief. This eases a burdened spirit, fetches in promised mercies, and wonderfully supports and comforts the soul in the expectation of them. He prays, 1. That God would deliver him (Psa 31:1), that his life might be preserved from the malice of his enemies, and that an end might be put to their persecutions of him, that God, not only in his mercy, but in righteousness, would deliver him, as a righteous Judge betwixt him and his unrighteous persecutors, that he would bow down his ear to his petitions, to his appeals, and deliver him, Psa 31:2. It is condescension in God to take cognizance of the case of the greatest and best of men; he humbles himself to do it. The psalmist prays also that he would deliver him speedily, lest, if the deliverance were long deferred, his faith should fail. 2. That if he did not immediately deliver him out of his troubles, yet he would protect and shelter him in his troubles; "Be thou my strong rock, immovable, impregnable, as a fastness framed by nature, and my house of defence, a fortress framed by art, and all to save me." Thus we may pray that God's providence would secure to us our lives and comforts, and that by his grace we may be enabled to think ourselves safe in him, Pro 18:10. 3. That his case having much in it of difficulty, both in respect of duty and in respect of prudence, he might be under the divine guidance: "Lord, lead me and guide me (Psa 31:3), so order my steps, so order my spirit, that I may never do any thing unlawful and unjustifiable - a…
Open source ↗Ps 31 The psalmist encourages the godly to find refuge in the Lord and wait for his salvation. Despite having had a death-like experience, he testifies to the Lord’s faithfulness. This psalm foreshadows the suffering of Jesus (Luke 23:46). 31:1-5 The Lord offers refuge to anyone who comes to him for protection. The psalmist trusts in and submits to the Lord. See also 71:1-3.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָסָה (châçâh, H2620) — to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in אַל (ʼal, H408) — not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… פָּלַט (pâlaṭ, H6403) — to slip out, i.e. escape; causatively, to deliver צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)…
Open source ↗נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense מְהֵרָה (mᵉhêrâh, H4120) — properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly מָעוֹז (mâʻôwz, H4581) — a fortified place; figuratively, a defence צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מָצוּד (mâtsûwd, H4686) — a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to…
Open source ↗סֶלַע (çelaʻ, H5553) — a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) מָצוּד (mâtsûwd, H4686) — a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… נָחָה (nâchâh, H5148) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists) נָהַל (nâhal, H5095) — properly, to run with asparkle, i.e. flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by…
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) זוּ (zûw, H2098) — this or that טָמַן (ṭâman, H2934) — to hide (by covering over) מָעוֹז (mâʻôwz, H4581) — a fortified place; figuratively, a defence
Open source ↗יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… פָּדָה (pâdâh, H6299) — to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserve יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
Open source ↗שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… שָׁוְא (shâvᵉʼ, H7723) — evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively… הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as… בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗גִּיל (gîyl, H1523) — properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually… שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עֳנִי (ʻŏnîy, H6040) — depression, i.e. misery יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… צָרָה (tsârâh, H6869) — tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival:
Open source ↗סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda מֶרְחָב (merchâb, H4800) — enlargement, either literally (an open space, usually in a good sense), or figuratively…
Open source ↗חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) עָשֵׁשׁ (ʻâshêsh, H6244) — probably to shrink, i.e. fail כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3708) — vexation נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בֶּטֶן (beṭen, H990) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
Open source ↗חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… שָׁכֵן (shâkên, H7934) — a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors נָדַד (nâdad, H5074) — properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee,…
Open source ↗שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דִּבָּה (dibbâh, H1681) — slander רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מָגוֹר (mâgôwr, H4032) — a fright (objective or subjective) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… יָסַד (yâçad, H3245) — to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down… יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly זָמַם (zâmam, H2161) — to plan, usually in a bad sense לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”
O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.
O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, I pray that Your anger and wrath may turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all around us.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.