Psalm Thirty One

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

Psalm 31:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Psalm 31:2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

Psalm 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Psalm 31:4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

Psalm 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

commit my spirit. These words were quoted by Christ on the cross (Luke 23:46), and also by Stephen as he was being stoned (Acts 7:59).

Psalm 31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

I have hated. Believers should love their personal enemies (Matthew 5:44), but it is appropriate to hate those that hate God—not with personal animosity, of course, but with that sorrowing hatred which must characterize a Holy God who cannot look on iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). Note Psalm 139:21-22.

lying vanities. These entities are idols, which are foolishly worshipped as “gods” by those who reject the true God of creation. Note Habakkuk 2:18-20.

Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

Psalm 31:8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Psalm 31:9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

Psalm 31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Psalm 31:11 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.

Psalm 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

Psalm 31:13 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.

Psalm 31:14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

Psalm 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Psalm 31:16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

Psalm 31:17 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.

Psalm 31:18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Psalm 31:19 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!

Psalm 31:20 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.

Psalm 31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath showed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

Psalm 31:22 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.

Psalm 31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

be of good courage. This encouraging exhortation was often used in preparation for battle (e.g., Joshua 1:7). It is appropriate for our very real spiritual battle as well.