Psalms 31:1

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 31:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge; Let me never be put to shame: Deliver me in thy righteousness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge; Let me never be put to shame: Deliver me in thy righteousness.
Psalms 31:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge; Let me never be put to shame: Deliver me in thy righteousness.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“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 thing to do in this time of his distress: the Lord is to be trusted in at all times;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 (compare Romans 1:16; Romans 5:5; 2 Timothy 1:12), but in the sense of being so…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“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 · Modern study notes
“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 · Cross-reference reference work
“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 · 19th-century historical commentary
“(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 consistent with the order of redemption, though after prolonged trial, with the…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification