Psalms 31
Psalm 31 contains what King David wrote about fleeing to God and pleading with Him amid suffering and persecution. It consists of 24 verses and can be broadly divided into 1) a prayer of refuge to God (vv. 1-8), 2) a plea amid suffering and enemies (vv. 9-18), 3) thanksgiving, praise, and the decision to trust (vv. 19-24)from this perspective.
1verseFor the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. In you, LORD, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.
2verseBow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me.
3verseFor you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.
4versePluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold.
5verseInto your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, LORD, God of truth.
6verseI hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in the LORD.
7verseI will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities.
8verseYou have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.
9verseHave mercy on me, LORD, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.
10verseFor my life is spent with sorrow, my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity. My bones are wasted away.
11verseBecause of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, a horror to my acquaintances. Those who saw me on the street fled from me.
12verseI am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man. I am like broken pottery.
13verseFor I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.
14verseBut I trust in you, LORD. I said, “You are my God.”
15verseMy times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16verseMake your face to shine on your servant. Save me in your loving kindness.
17verseLet me not be disappointed, LORD, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be silent in Sheol.
18verseLet the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.
19verseOh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!
20verseIn the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.
21versePraise be to the LORD, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.
22verseAs for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.
23verseOh love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.
24verseBe strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.
God, My Refuge (vv. 1-8)
The psalmist takes God as a refuge amid difficulties and asks for help based on the LORD’s righteousness. In this section, there are repeated expressions of trust in God such as ‘deliverance’, ‘guidance’, ‘protection’. In particular, verse 5 is a concise expression of entrusting one’s life to God: ‘Into your hands I commit my spirit.’ The psalmist continues to be confident in God’s guidance and deliverance.
The Reality of Suffering and a Plea (vv. 9-18)
In this part, the situations of suffering and despair are described realistically. The psalmist experiences physical, emotional, and social pain and confesses ‘sorrow’, ‘groaning’, ‘because of sin’, ‘anguish caused by enemies’, and ‘abandonment by one’s neighbors’. However, even in such despair, he does not give up trust in God; he confesses, ‘The Lord has my times in his hand’ (v. 15)and again asks for deliverance.
Thanksgiving and Praise, the Decision to Trust (vv. 19-24)
In the final part, the psalmist praises God’s great grace and faithfulness. Saying ‘I will praise your love’, he declares that even in trouble, the LORD alone is the true refuge and protector. In verses 23-24, he encourages all God’s people with ‘Love the LORD, all his faithful people. Strengthen your hearts and be not afraid.’. This goes beyond a personal confession of faith; it also passes on courage and hope in faith to others.
Meditation Points
- In times of suffering and fear, consider who is the one that becomes your refuge.
- Reflect on whether you possess the faithfulness that clings to God even in places of despair.
- Meditate on whether you can trust again in God’s guidance amid the cycle of suffering and restoration, and of thanksgiving and praise.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- At every difficult and lonely moment, practice speaking honestly to God and pouring out your heart, and also practice placing the times of your life into the LORD’s hands.
- Decide to share the grace and love you have received with the people around you and to live a life that becomes strength for those who are facing difficulties.
