Psalms Chapter 31

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 24 Verses

What is Psalms 31 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge; Let me never be put to shame: Deliver me in thy righteousness.
2Bow down thine ear unto me; deliver me speedily: Be thou to me a strong rock, A house of defence to save me.
3For thou art my rock and my fortress; Therefore for thy name`s sake lead me and guide me.
4Pluck me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; For thou art my stronghold.
5Into thy hand I commend my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Jehovah, thou God of truth.
6I hate them that regard lying vanities; But I trust in Jehovah.
7I will be glad and rejoice in thy lovingkindness; For thou hast seen my affliction: Thou hast known my soul in adversities;
8And thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a large place.
9Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah, for I am in distress: Mine eye wasteth away with grief, [yea], my soul and my body.
10For my life is spent with sorrow, And my years with sighing: My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, And my bones are wasted away.
11Because of all mine adversaries I am become a reproach, Yea, unto my neighbors exceedingly, And a fear to mine acquaintance: They that did see me without fled from me.
12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13For I have heard the defaming of many, Terror on every side: While they took counsel together against me, They devised to take away my life.
14But I trusted in thee, O Jehovah: I said, Thou art my God.
15My times are in thy hand: Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: Save me in thy lovingkindness.
17Let me not be put to shame, O Jehovah; for I have called upon thee: Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol.
18Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak against the righteous insolently, With pride and contempt.
19Oh how great is thy goodness, Which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, Which thou hast wrought for them that take refuge in thee, Before the sons of men!
20In the covert of thy presence wilt thou hide them from the plottings of man: Thou wilt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21Blessed be Jehovah; For he hath showed me his marvellous lovingkindness in a strong city.
22As for me, 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.
23Oh love Jehovah, all ye his saints: Jehovah preserveth the faithful, And plentifully rewardeth him that dealeth proudly.
24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that hope in Jehovah. Psalm 32 [A Psalm] of David. Maschil.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, etc.] Not in any creature, but in the Lord Jehovah; the Targum, “in thy Word”; the essential Logos, or Word, which was in the beginning with God, and was God, and so an equal object of faith, trust, and confidence, as Jehovah the Father: this act includes a trusting all with God, body and soul, and the welfare of them, in time, and to eternity; and a trusting him for all things, both of providence and grace, and for both grace and glory, and is a continued act; for the psalmist does not say, “I have trusted”, or “I will trust”, but “I do”; and this was a very consider able…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The prayer of a believer in time of deep distress. In the first part, cries for help are mingled with expressions of confidence. Then the detail of griefs engrosses his attention, till, in the assurance of strong but submissive faith, he rises to the language of unmingled joyful trust and exhorts others to like love and confidence towards God. (Psa. 31:1-24) Expresses the general tone of feeling of the Psalm.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust - This is the ground of the petitions which follow; or the reason why the psalmist thus appeals to God. It was his firm confidence in Him; in His character; in His promises; in His ability to deliver Him in the time of danger. Compare the notes at Psalms 7:1. Let me never be ashamed - That is, let me never have occasion to be ashamed for having put this confidence in Thee. Let Thy dealings toward me be such as to show that my confidence was well founded. The word is not used here in the sense of being unwilling to confess his faith in God, or his love for Him, as it is often now…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Ashamed - Of my confidence in thy promise. Deliver me - According to thy faithfulness and goodness. Psalms 31:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 31 The psalmist encourages the godly to find refuge in the Lord and wait for his salvation. Despite having had a death-like experience, he testifies to the Lord’s faithfulness. This psalm foreshadows the suffering of Jesus (Luke 23:46). 31:1-5 The Lord offers refuge to anyone who comes to him for protection. The psalmist trusts in and submits to the Lord. See also 71:1-3.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“am 2943, bc 1061 thee: Psa 22:4, Psa 22:5, Psa 25:2, Psa 71:1, Psa 71:2; Isa 49:23; Rom 5:5, Rom 10:11 deliver: Psa 7:8, Psa 7:9, Psa 43:1, Psa 143:1, Psa 143:11, Psa 143:12; Dan 9:16 Psalms 31:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“(Heb.: 31:2-9) The poet begins with the prayer for deliverance, based upon the trust which Jahve, to whom he surrenders himself, cannot possibly disappoint; and rejoices beforehand in the protection which he assumes will, without any doubt, be granted. Out of his confident security in God (הסיתי) springs the prayer: may it never come to this with me, that I am put to confusion by the disappointment of my hope. This prayer in the form of intense desire is followed by prayers in the direct form of supplication. The supplicatory פלּטני is based upon God's righteousness, which cannot refrain from repaying conduct…”
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