The Book of Psalms
Psalm 31
Psalm XXXI · Vol. II, p. 1004
1 David showing his confidence in God craveth his help. 7 He rejoiceth in God's mercy. 9 He prayeth in his calamity. 19 He praiseth God for his goodness.
To the chief musician, A psalm of David.
1 In thee,a O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: bdeliver me in thy righteousness.1
A.M. cir. 2946. B.C. cir. 1058.
a Ps.13.5; 2.12; 22.4,5; 25.2; 71.1-4. Is.40.29-31.
b Ps.143.1; 7.8,9; 17.2; 5.8; 43.1. Da.9.16.
1 The tenderness and deep pathos breathed forth in the beautiful language of this psalm have led some to attribute it to Jeremiah. But David was also sorely tried; and his touching lamentation on the death of Absalom proves that he also, when his affections were deeply moved, could thrill the soul by words of unsurpassed pathos.—P.
2 Bowc down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock,2 for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefored for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
d Ps.23.3; 25.11. Jos.7.9. Eze.20.9,14,22; 36.22,32.
4 Pull me eout of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
e Ps.25.15,17; 35.7; 57.6; 140.5.
5 Intog thine hand I commit my spirit:3 thou hast redeemed4 me, O LORD hGod of truth.
3 Our Lord's adoption of these words (and he alone could adopt them, for he alone had power over his spirit, to lay down his life or take it up again, Ec.8.8. Jn.10.18) clearly proves that the whole psalm is to be interpreted as one of his supplications and strong cryings in the days of his flesh, He.5.7.—C.
4 Redeemed, delivered me by thy mighty power, Ep.1.19,20.—C.
6 Ii have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
i Ps.139.21,22; 15.4; 26.4,5. Jonah 2.8. Ro.1.21.
7 Ij will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast kconsidered my trouble; lthou hast known my soul in adversities;
9 Haveo mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing:5 my strength faileth because of mine iniquity,6 and my bones are consumed.
11 Ip 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.7
p Ps.22.6; 69.8-12,19,20; 35.15,16. 1 Co.4.13. Job 19.13-19.
7 This was literally fulfilled in the history of our Lord, when all his disciples forsook him and fled, Mat.26.56. Lord Jesus, grant us grace that we may never betray thee, that we may never forsake thee!—C.
13 For I have heard the rslander of many: sfear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
A.M. cir. 2946. B.C. cir. 1058.
r ver.11. Je.20.10. 1 Sa.22.8; 24.9.
s Je.6.25,26; 20.3. La.2.22. Ps.56.1,2,5.
15 Myu times are in thy hand: vdeliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
17 Letz me not be ashamed,9 O LORD; for I have called upon thee: alet the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.1
18 Letb the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things2 proudlyc and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 Ohd 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!
20 Thoue 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.
22 For I said hin my haste,5 I am cut off from before thine eyes: inevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23 Oj love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD kpreserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
j De.6.5; 30.6. Mat.22.37. 1 Jn.4.19.
k 1 Pe.1.5. Jude 1. Col.3.3. Jn.10.27-29. Ro.2.8-10. 2 Th.1.6-10.
24 Bel of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
l Mar.5.36. Ps.42.5,11; 43.5; 27.14. Is.40.29-31.
Notes
Ver. 6. I have hated, &c. Could Christ hate? Does God hate? See, for answer, Ps. lv. But, as amongst men, there is a most unholy love, so likewise is there a most unholy hatred: but this cannot gainsay there being in God and his Christ a holy love to what is good, and as holy a hatred of what is evil. C.
Ver. 13. There is not upon record such a remarkable illustration of the deep depravity of the human heart, as the continuous stream of slander that it poured out upon the spotless Lamb of God—'Friend of publicans and sinners,' wine-bibber, glutton, madman, devil-possessed, devil-aided, Sabbath-breaker, seditious rebel against Cæsar, impious blasphemer against God, formed the staple of those calumnies that pursued him through life—and finally succeeded in conducting him to the cross. C.
Ver. 15. My times are in thy hand. Everything relating to the manifestation of the Son lies in the hand of the Father. He sends him forth in the 'fulness of the times,' Ga. 4. 4; and the 'times and the seasons' of his glorious coming 'the second time without sin unto salvation'—it is not for us to know, for 'the Father hath put them in his own power,' Ac. 1. 7. C.
Reflections.—Trust in God never issues in confounding disappointments. Both Jesus and Jehovah's righteousness secures to believing supplicants a speedy deliverance out of every trouble and snare; and fervent prayers in Jesus' name insure a quick and comfortable answer. The more we commit ourselves to God, the more we shall experience of his faithfulness in performing his promises: and the more we know of his redeeming power and grace and of his faithfulness, the more fully we shall commit ourselves to his care in life or in death. When God is our portion we may renounce everything else as lying vanities. And his unceasing mercies, his sympathy under trouble, his protection from evils, and his increase of blessings, deserve our constant returns of praise. But though the sins of saints may not damn them, yet they often severely distress them on earth. And through much conformity to Christ, in the enduring of hatred, reproach, and persecution, they must enter into the celestial kingdom of God. The wicked often abandon themselves to the most false and virulent reproach against Jesus Christ and his people: but distress, death, and judgment will quickly silence them. Meanwhile, God's present protection of his people, and the unbounded happiness of heaven, are comforts more than sufficient for the saints to balance all their troubles on earth. Often his great and unexpected mercies shame their unbelief and rebuke their carnal fear. And O what reason the best have to bewail their repeated and deep despondencies under trouble, and to encourage others to avoid them! For when we consider our God and his mercies, alas! how cold is our love, how weak our faith, and languid our hopes.