Psalm 31 — The Lord Preserves the Faithful

31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord.

7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

9 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.

15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.

17 Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

While resistance is expected from one’s adversaries, betrayal by a friend is an insidious revelation. David experienced it and so did Jesus. Jeremiah became a reproach to his neighbors. Sometimes God’s people are subject to the conspiracies of man (31:20). The children of the world, as servants of the Devil, seek to ensnare the children of God in a trap (31:4) and to their shame (31:17). Psalm 31 is a lament with prayer, and it is also a thanksgiving Psalm of praise.

First, David prayed in faith for deliverance (vv. 1–6). Second, his praise resulted from apparent deliverance (vv. 7–8). Third, David added detail about his formidable circumstances (vv. 9–13). Fourth, he presented the solution to his problem (vv. 14–18). Fifth, David praised YHWH’s goodness (vv. 19–22). Finally, he called the community of faith to love the Lord who is forever faithful to them (vv. 23–24).

David sought deliverance and preservation from YHWH (v. 1). Let me never be ashamed. God takes no pleasure in the shame of His children, especially when they approach Him for help. In Thy righteousness deliver me. David was aware that his own righteousness was filthy rags; therefore, he based his plea for deliverance on YHWH’s righteousness. YHWH’s righteousness demands justice.

David desired quick resolution by entering God’s presence (v. 2). The covenant relationship infers that YHWH will present Himself as an audience for His own. …rescue me quickly… God’s timing for deliverance is not our timing. We are usually in a rush, but He is not. Be Thou to me a rock of strength, a stronghold to save me. The imagery of YHWH as a rock or stronghold should conjure up thoughts of Ein Gedi where David hid from Saul. God protects.

David regarded YHWH’s name as the reason for his preservation (v. 3). The preservation of the saints is God’s covenant promise to His people. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” is complemented with, “And I give them eternal life.” For Thy name’s sake…The name of God is David’s reason for YHWH to deliver and preserve Him. What is the justification for this? YHWH’s reputation as a God amidst polytheistic cultures warrants the display of His faithfulness. Thou wilt lead me and guide me…walk be the Spirit, who is your Guide.

David’s only hope for deliverance from the secret trap was YHWH’s strong deliverance (v. 4). The problem is introduced here but cloaked with some mystery. Thou wilt pull me out of the net…The trap had been set, and David’s reliance is on the omnipotent God of Israel to retrieve him from danger. YHWH is glorified in a special way when He is deliverer. This is best represented in the name of Jesus, who is the divine deliverer in the midst of His people.

David entrusted Himself to YHWH for deliverance (v. 5). Into Thy hand I commit my spirit…Jesus quoted this verse as his last words on the cross. Many have followed His example, starting with Stephen and especially during the Reformation and Covenanting eras. Thou hast ransomed me, YHWH, God of truth…Jesus said, “I am the truth (Jn 14:6),” and it was Jesus who ransomed His people from slavery in the kingdom of sin.

David contrasted his trust in YHWH to the idolatry of his opponents (v. 6). I hate those who regard vain idols…Contemporary Christianity in the West has little tolerance for statements of hatred, but we are hardly the most zealous generation in demonstrating jealousy for His name. The contrast is sharp between those who trust in YHWH and vain idolaters. Jonah 2:8 quotes this verse and suggests idolaters get empty nothings for all their devotion. David hates them.

David expressed his knowledge of God’s lovingkindness and YHWH’s knowledge of his predicament (v. 7). God is omnipresent and omniscient and never gives His children more than they can handle…Because He has seen my affliction. He permits trouble for His children to chasten them.

David was repositioned from enemy hands onto wide, solid ground (v. 8). God’s hand of deliverance is contrasted with the entrapping hands of his enemies. Thou hast set my feet in a large place…The besieged city (v. 21) is an antithesis for the large place where David is free in God’s providence.

David expanded his problem situation (v. 9). Be gracious to me…for I am in distress…There is a parallel for the use of body parts to express the status quo for both the Psalmist and YHWH. God’s hand receives David’s spirit and appoints David’s times. God face shines on David’s dark days. God’s eyes are essential for viewing David’s troubles. My eye, soul, and body are wasted away by grief…Meanwhile, all of David’s body parts are failing under the pressure of adverse circumstances.

David elaborated on the depth of his woes (v. 10). My strength has failed because of my iniquity…Sin plays its part in our troubled lives. Personal, family, church, community, state, nation, and global sins against God are troublemakers. Death is always looming because the wages of sin is death. As the prospect of being made sin for us so troubled Jesus, His sweat in the garden became like clotted blood. His despair and agony were to the point of death.

David listed three groups who had aligned themselves against him (v. 11). Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach…Job also uttered these words of reproach (19:13). The enemies of the saints are legion. It is not difficult to understand why this tension exists. Light pierces the darkness, but the darkness does not enjoy it. …my neighbors…When one’s neighbors join the hostile ranks, his grief mounts. The righteous are instructed to love their neighbors as themselves. Efforts have been made. David protected Nabal’s family, business, and territory, but his love was in vain. …my acquaintances…The worst case is when a friend betrays and abandons you for the sake of gaining something of the world: a house; a car; a job; a girlfriend; etc. Jesus was betrayed and abandoned by his friends before the dirty deeds were done with the elders conspiring to ruin Him. The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

David lamented his low position (v. 12). No one had any use for David, nor for Jesus the Christ. Broken pottery is good for nothing. The opponents of God’s anointed simply wanted him gone.

David explained some of the strategies used by his opponents (v. 13). Jeremiah picked up on David’s lament and added it to Lamentations (2:22). I have heard the slander of many…To slander God’s chosen is custom for wretched conspirators. The elders counseled through the night to dispose of Jesus in the cloak of darkness. While the congregation of Israel slept, their leader was subjected to the schemes of unrighteous men. The jealousy of religious leaders raged against the One sent to them. Hence, the fall of Israel was predicted and fulfilled.

David reiterated his trust in YHWH (v. 14). Trust in the Lord with all your heart. You are my God…Claim Him as your own. Proclaim Him. You shall have no other gods before Him. Set yourself apart from the wicked and the world and draw near to God.

David requested deliverance from his oppressors (v. 15). The Lord knows the number of our days and the number of hairs on our heads. His intimate interest in us should humble us as both Job (14:5) and David reflected in saying, “My times are in Your hands.” God is sovereign and mighty to save. How precious is the prayer for deliverance, from persecutions of enemies, in the ears of God, and how joyful it is to praise Him after the fact! Count it all joy brethren when you are cast out of synagogues. So, they went on their way from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41).

David requested the favor of God’s saving presence (v. 16). Aaron’s blessing (Num. 6:25) seeks God’s face. For God to look upon our persecutions is a comfort. The Father turned away from the Son on the cross, and the sun was obscured. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant…The face of God shines with favor, but darkness prevails when He turns away. David is a servant of the Lord, who knows covenant love. YHWH has delivered, delivers, and surely will deliver His faithful ones.

David supplicated the shame to be moved from him to his adversaries (v. 17). Fear has taken hold of the Psalmist. Let me not be put to shame…The wicked love to see God’s anointed fall into ruin. His name is shamed. Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered (Joel 2:32), and the prayer of the faithful is to let shame fall on the wicked as they fall into Sheol’s silence.

David petitioned for a silencing of his rivals (v. 18). The slander must stop. The conspiracies must cease. The arrogant lies from hard hearts of pride are condemned for contempt. Silence!

David praised YHWH for His goodness (v. 19). How great is Thy goodness…The reservoir of goodness flows like a river of living water to those who fear YHWH. Fear God and keep His commandments are the conclusion to every matter. Obeying God is synonymous with loving God. Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden with persecutions, and I will give you refuge from the sons of men who oppress you.

David praised YHWH for protecting him from trash talk and schemes of his enemies (v. 20). …conspiracies of man…These things go on regardless, but the one who is consumed with the presence of God heeds not the foolishness of fools. Words can never hurt me! This is true in the shelter of His secret place where His Word prevails.

David praised YHWH for getting him out of a tough spot for the sake of His covenant (v. 21). Blessed be the Lord…for the city of man has become the city of God, but the wicked have no intention of surrendering their quarters. The struggle continues. The church is forever squeezed out of the plans of the world. In the world we have trouble, but He has overcome the world. His lovingkindness preserves His beloved city in this hostile world.

David expressed his sense of abandonment before YHWH heard and answered his prayer (v. 22). Saints in trouble feel alone, as Jesus did in His passion. Jesus prayed and so should we. Do not fear little flock because your Good Shepherd loves you and cares for you. Do not be alarmed for His voice is heard in the assembly of the faithful.

David called the covenant community into worship of YHWH for love’s sake (v. 23). God loved us first, and it is our right response to love Him. Who will worship YHWH if not His godly ones? Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Sing, hosanna! Why? Because YHWH delivers and preserves those who fear, love, call, trust, rest, pasture, proclaim, refuge, and hope in Him.

David encouraged the covenant community to be strengthened in anticipation of YHWH’s deliverance and preservation (v. 24). Got trouble? Help is on the way if you cry out to Him who is the Helper of His people. He hears, He knows, and He answers for the good of those who love Him. Now, got hope? Then, be strong in the Lord. Be courageous in your labors as unto the Lord. Your prayer of faith today will result in your praise and thanksgiving on the day of your salvation…coming soon to a crisis near you.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

June 20, 2021