Psalms31
English Standard Version
1To the . A of . In you, O Lord, do I ; let me be ; in your me!
2 your to me; me ! Be a of for me, a to me!
3For you are my and my ; and for your sake you me and me;
4you me out of the they have for me, for you are my .
5Into your I my ; you have me, O Lord, .
6I those who regard to , but I in the Lord.
7I will and be in your , you have my ; you have the of my ,
8and you have not me into the of the ; you have my in a place.
9Be to me, O Lord, for I am in ; my is from ; my and my also.
10For my is with , and my with ; my because of my , and my away.
11 of my I have become a , to my , and an object of to my ; those who me in the from me.
12I have been like one who is ; I have become like a .
13For I the of — on every !— as they me, as they to my .
14But I in you, O Lord; I , You are my .
15My are in your ; me from the of my and from my !
16Make your on your ; me in your !
17O Lord, let me not be , for I upon you; let the be ; let them to .
18Let the be , which the in and .
19Oh, how is your , which you have up for those who you and for those who in you, in the of the of !
20In the of your you them from the of ; you them in your from the of .
21 be the Lord, for he has shown his to me when I was in a .
22I had in my , I am off your . you the of my for mercy when I to you for help.
23 the Lord, you his ! The Lord the but the one who in .
24Be , and your , you who for the Lord!
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 31.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Confidence in God. (1–8). Prayer in trouble. (9–18). Praise for God's goodness. (19–24).
vv1-8
Faith and prayer must go together, for the prayer of faith is the prevailing prayer. David gave up his soul in a special manner to God. And with the words, verse 5, our Lord Jesus yielded up his last breath on the cross, and made his soul a free-will offering for sin, laying down his life as a ransom. But David is here as a man in distress and trouble. And his great care is about his soul, his spirit, his better part. Many think that while perplexed about their worldly affairs, and their cares multiply, they may be excused if they neglect their souls; but we are the more concerned to look to our souls, that, though the outward man perish, the inward man may suffer no damage. The redemption of the soul is so precious, that it must have ceased for ever, if Christ had not undertaken it. Having relied on God's mercy, he will be glad and rejoice in it. God looks upon our souls, when we are in trouble, to see whether they are humbled for sin, and made better by the affliction. Every believer will meet with such dangers and deliverances, until he is delivered from death, his last enemy.
vv9-18
David's troubles made him a man of sorrows. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was acquainted with grief. David acknowledged that his afflictions were merited by his own sins, but Christ suffered for ours. David's friends durst not give him any assistance. Let us not think it strange if thus deserted, but make sure of a Friend in heaven who will not fail. God will be sure to order and dispose all for the best, to all those who commit their spirits also into his hand. The time of life is in God's hands, to lengthen or shorten, make bitter or sweet, according to the counsel of his will. The way of man is not in himself, nor in our friend's hands, nor in our enemies' hands, but in God's. In this faith and confidence he prays that the Lord would save him for his mercies's sake, and not for any merit of his own. He prophesies the silencing of those that reproach and speak evil of the people of God. There is a day coming, when the Lord will execute judgment upon them. In the mean time, we should engage ourselves by well-doing, if possible, to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
vv19-24
Instead of yielding to impatience or despondency under our troubles, we should turn our thoughts to the goodness of the Lord towards those who fear and trust in Him. All comes to sinners through the wondrous gift of the only-begotten Son of God, to be the atonement for their sins. Let not any yield to unbelief, or think, under discouraging circumstances, that they are cut off from before the eyes of the Lord, and left to the pride of men. Lord, pardon our complaints and fears; increase our faith, patience, love, and gratitude; teach us to rejoice in tribulation and in hope. The deliverance of Christ, with the destruction of his enemies, ought to strengthen and comfort the hearts of believers under all their afflictions here below, that having suffered courageously with their Master, they may triumphantly enter into his joy and glory.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
חָסָה: to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in
בּוּשׁ: properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
צְדָקָה: rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
פָּלַט: to slip out, i.e. escape; causatively, to deliver
נָטָה: to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application
אֹזֶן: broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
נָצַל: to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Cross References
Psalms 31Jesus quotes David's words on the cross to yield His spirit in final surrender to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Stephen echoes David's petition by committing his spirit directly to the Lord Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jonah uses the same Hebrew phrase regarding those who observe 'lying vanities' forfeiting mercy.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identical concept of being set in a 'large room' representing safety and broad liberty.
Supported by JFB
Jeremiah directly quotes David's exact phrase 'fear was on every side' (Magor-missabib).
Parallel imagery of being hid in a pavilion/tabernacle from danger and strife.
Supported by JFB
Likely historical setting where David fled in haste as Saul compassed him in Maon.
Supported by John Calvin
Psalm 71 opens with an almost identical plea for refuge and deliverance.
Moses warns Israel against turning to 'lying vanities' (idols) that provoke God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identical lament vocabulary where the eye is 'consumed' because of grief.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes the Priestly Blessing for God's face to shine upon His servant.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the praise for God's 'marvellous lovingkindness' shown to those in trouble.
Echoes the language of God's great goodness laid up for those who wait.
Keilah was a 'strong city' with gates and bars where God delivered David.
Identical exhortation to 'be of good courage' and expect God to strengthen the heart.