Psalms Chapter 31

From The Open Bible Project

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

31:1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.

• (a) For then God declares himself just, when he preserves his as he has promised.

31:2 Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me.

31:3 For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name's sake lead me and guide me.

31:4 Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold.

• (b) Preserve me from the crafty counsels and subtle practise of my enemies.

31:5 Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.

• (c) He desires God not only to take care of him in this life, but that his soul may be saved after this life.

31:6 I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in Yahweh.

• (d) This affection should be in all God’s children to hate whatever is not grounded on a sure trust in God, as deceitful and vain.

31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities.

31:8 You have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.

• (e) Largeness signifies comfort, as straitness, sorrow and peril.

31:9 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.

• (f) Meaning, that his sorrow and torment had continued a great while.

31:10 For my life is spent with sorrow, my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity. My bones are wasted away.

31:11 Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances. Those who saw me on the street fled from me.

• (g) My enemies had drawn all men to their part against me, even my chief friends.

31:12 I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man. I am like broken pottery.

31:13 For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.

• (i) They who were in authority condemned me as a wicked doer.

31:14 But I trust in you, Yahweh. I said, "You are my God."

• (k) I had this testimony of conscience, that you would defend my innocence.

31:15 My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

• (l) Whatever changes come, you govern them by your providence.

31:16 Make your face to shine on your servant. Save me in your loving kindness.

31:17 Let me not be disappointed, Yahweh, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be silent in [13] Sheol [See Psalms Footnotes 13].

• (m) Let death destroy them to the intent that they may hurt no more.

31:18 Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.

31:19 Oh 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!

• (n) The treasures of God’s mercy are always laid up in store for his children, even at all times they do not enjoy them.

31:20 In 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.

• (o) That is, in a place where they will have your comfort, and be hid safely from the enemies pride.

31:21 Praise be to Yahweh, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.

• (p) Meaning, there was no city strong enough to preserve him, as the defence of God’s favour.

31:22 As 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.

• (q) And so by my rashness and infidelity deserved to have been forsaken.

31:23 Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints! Yahweh preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.

31:24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh.

• (r) Be constant in your calling, and God will confirm you with heavenly strength.