Psalm 31 (World English Bible – WEB)
1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge.
Let me never be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Bow down your ear to me.
Deliver me speedily.
Be to me a strong rock,
a house of defense to save me.
3 For you are my rock and my fortress,
therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.
4 Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me,
for you are my stronghold.
5 Into your hand I commend my spirit.
You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.
6 I hate those who regard lying vanities,
but I trust in Yahweh.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness,
for you have seen my affliction.
You have known my soul in adversities.
8 You have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy.
You have set my feet in a large place.
9 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress.
My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
my years with sighing.
My strength fails because of my iniquity.
My bones are wasted away.
11 Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors,
A horror to my acquaintances.
Those who saw me on the street fled from me.
12 I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man.
I am like broken pottery.
13 For I have heard the slander of many,
terror on every side,
while they conspire together against me,
they plot to take away my life.
14 But I trust in you, Yahweh.
I said, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand.
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine on your servant.
Save me in your loving kindness.
17 Let me not be disappointed, Yahweh,
for I have called on you.
Let the wicked be disappointed.
Let them be silent in Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
which speak against the righteous insolently,
with pride and contempt.
19 Oh how great is your goodness,
which you have laid up for those who fear you,
which you have worked for those who take refuge in you,
before the sons of men!
20 In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man.
You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.
21 Praise be to Yahweh,
for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.
22 As for me, I said in my haste,
“I am cut off from before your eyes.”
Nevertheless, you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.
23 Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints!
Yahweh preserves the faithful,
and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who hope in Yahweh.
Background and Details of Psalm 31
Psalm 31 is a heartfelt prayer of trust and deliverance, attributed to King David. This psalm is a mix of lament and confidence in God’s faithfulness. It reflects deep personal distress, possibly during one of David’s many times of persecution (such as when he was pursued by King Saul or during Absalom’s rebellion).
Key Themes:
- Trust in God: David expresses complete dependence on God as his refuge (v.1-8).
- Distress and Persecution: The psalmist details his suffering, feeling abandoned and attacked by enemies (v.9-13).
- Faith in Deliverance: Despite hardship, David reaffirms his trust in God’s salvation (v.14-18).
- God’s Protection: He acknowledges that God preserves the faithful (v.19-24).
Messianic Connection:
Verse 5, “Into your hand I commend my spirit,” is famously quoted by Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:46), making this psalm significant in Christian theology.
Prayer Based on Psalm 31
Heavenly Father,
You are my refuge and my fortress. In my distress, I call upon You, trusting in Your unfailing love. Deliver me from trouble, and shine Your face upon me. Strengthen my heart when I am weary, and remind me that my times are in Your hands. Let me not be shaken by fear, but walk boldly in faith, knowing that You preserve those who trust in You. I surrender my spirit into Your hands, for You are faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
5 Questions to Test Your Understanding of Psalm 31
- What does David say about trusting in God despite difficulties?
- Which verse from Psalm 31 was quoted by Jesus on the cross?
- How does David describe the suffering he experiences?
- What does David say about those who take refuge in the Lord?
- What encouragement does the psalm end with?
References to Psalm 31 in the New Testament
Yes! The most direct reference is in Luke 23:46, where Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5:
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
This shows Jesus’ ultimate trust in the Father, even in the face of death. Additionally, themes of persecution, trust, and deliverance in Psalm 31 resonate with passages in the New Testament, such as 1 Peter 4:19, which encourages believers to entrust their souls to God in suffering.
Answers to the 5 Questions
- David expresses his unwavering trust in God, declaring Him as his refuge and deliverer, even in times of distress.
- Psalm 31:5 is quoted by Jesus in Luke 23:46: “Into your hand I commit my spirit.”
- David describes his suffering as deep sorrow, physical weakness, slander from enemies, and a sense of abandonment.
- He states that God shows great goodness to those who fear Him and protects them from harm (v.19-20).
- The psalm ends with encouragement: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh” (v.24).