Psa 31:1-2 | KingComments | STEP | The psalm describes David’s experience in a manner that also applies to the believing remnant. It is a plea and an expression of their trust. Some of the statements apply to the Lord Jesus, such as . The words of the first line of that verse are spoken by Him on the cross ( ). Many portions of this psalm can also be applied to us. David wrote the psalm in a time of great distress. It is the prayer of a person who is despised, blasphemed and persecuted. David experienced such a situation many times. We can see, therefore, that many of his psalms originated from it. In this psalm he encourages the depressed believer to love the Lord and be strong, for the Lord will keep him because his times are in His hand. The believer’s life is in the hand of God, not in those of enemies or circumstances. Several times in this psalm we see the transition from supplication to thanks and vice versa from thanks to supplication: First cycle: 1. prayer ( ), 2. trust ( ) and 3. thanks ( ). Second cycle: 1. complaint ( ), 2. trust ( ), 3. prayer ( ) and 4. thanks ( ). We see in them a representation of life, which has its ups and downs. Sometimes we are high on the mountain and other times deep in a valley. After the valley we climb up again, jubilantly, after which we can have another period of need. But the psalm ends with thanks and encouragement. For “for the choir director” (verse1a) see at Psalm 4:1. For “a Psalm of David” see at Psalm 3:1. David says to the LORD that he has “taken refuge” in Him ( ). With the emphasis on “in You” he declares that he trusts in God and has taken refuge in Him, “the LORD”. The LORD is the God Who is faithful to the covenant, the I AM WHO I AM. The psalm also ends with an encouragement to those who put their hope in the LORD ( ). The LORD is his only shelter. He has no one else, nor does he want anyone else. He can ask no one else not to let him be ashamed. Only the LORD is able to prevent that and to do so in a way that it will never ever happen. For this he does not appeal to the grace of God, but to His “righteousness”. The case for which he is praying involves false accusations and vicious attacks by enemies. Against these, God must act in righteousness and deliver him, otherwise he will be ashamed of his trust in Him. Righteousness here means that God will act in accordance with the covenant He made with Israel. If God hands him over into the hand of his enemies, it will also give the enemies cause to blaspheme the Name of God. In short sentences he begs God to incline His ear to him ( ), that is, to pay attention to his plea. He begs for a quick rescue, because time is running out, the need is growing by the minute. And also whether God will yet be “a rock of strength”, that is, a rock house ( ), and “a stronghold” for him “to save” him. It makes clear how much the enemies are pressing on him and are already so close to him that they almost lay hands on him.

‏ Psalms 31:1-2

Introduction

The psalm describes David’s experience in a manner that also applies to the believing remnant. It is a plea and an expression of their trust. Some of the statements apply to the Lord Jesus, such as Psa 31:5. The words of the first line of that verse are spoken by Him on the cross (Lk 23:46). Many portions of this psalm can also be applied to us.

David wrote the psalm in a time of great distress. It is the prayer of a person who is despised, blasphemed and persecuted. David experienced such a situation many times. We can see, therefore, that many of his psalms originated from it. In this psalm he encourages the depressed believer to love the Lord and be strong, for the Lord will keep him because his times are in His hand. The believer’s life is in the hand of God, not in those of enemies or circumstances.

Several times in this psalm we see the transition from supplication to thanks and vice versa from thanks to supplication:

First cycle:

1. prayer (Psa 31:1b-2),

2. trust (Psa 31:3-5) and

3. thanks (Psa 31:5b-8).

Second cycle:

1. complaint (Psa 31:9-13),

2. trust (Psa 31:14-15),

3. prayer (Psa 31:15b-18) and

4. thanks (Psa 31:19-24).

We see in them a representation of life, which has its ups and downs. Sometimes we are high on the mountain and other times deep in a valley. After the valley we climb up again, jubilantly, after which we can have another period of need. But the psalm ends with thanks and encouragement.

Call for Salvation

For “for the choir director” (verse1a) see at Psalm 4:1.

For “a Psalm of David” see at Psalm 3:1.

David says to the LORD that he has “taken refuge” in Him (Psa 31:1b). With the emphasis on “in You” he declares that he trusts in God and has taken refuge in Him, “the LORD”. The LORD is the God Who is faithful to the covenant, the I AM WHO I AM. The psalm also ends with an encouragement to those who put their hope in the LORD (Psa 31:24).

The LORD is his only shelter. He has no one else, nor does he want anyone else. He can ask no one else not to let him be ashamed. Only the LORD is able to prevent that and to do so in a way that it will never ever happen. For this he does not appeal to the grace of God, but to His “righteousness”.

The case for which he is praying involves false accusations and vicious attacks by enemies. Against these, God must act in righteousness and deliver him, otherwise he will be ashamed of his trust in Him. Righteousness here means that God will act in accordance with the covenant He made with Israel. If God hands him over into the hand of his enemies, it will also give the enemies cause to blaspheme the Name of God.

In short sentences he begs God to incline His ear to him (Psa 31:2), that is, to pay attention to his plea. He begs for a quick rescue, because time is running out, the need is growing by the minute. And also whether God will yet be “a rock of strength”, that is, a rock house (Psa 18:2), and “a stronghold” for him “to save” him. It makes clear how much the enemies are pressing on him and are already so close to him that they almost lay hands on him.