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Psalms 31

24 verses

TL;DR

A psalm of lament and confidence in God, expressing deep distress yet steadfast faith and a plea for deliverance.

Summary

The psalm opens with the psalmist placing trust in the LORD and asking for swift deliverance. He uses imagery of a rock and fortress to describe God’s protection and pleads for rescue from unseen snares. The psalmist acknowledges his own suffering, describing grief, shame, and alienation, yet he confesses his commitment to God’s truth and his desire to find mercy. He highlights the futility of the enemies’ plots and asserts that God hears his supplications, refusing to let the wicked triumph. The psalm concludes with a call to the faithful to remain courageous, trusting that God rewards steadfastness and preserves the righteous.

Outline
  1. Trust in God and plea for rescue (verses 1‑4)
  2. Lament of suffering and confidence in deliverance (verses 5‑17)
  3. Assurance of God’s faithfulness and exhortation to faithfulness (verses 18‑24)
Themes
The steadfast trust of the believer in God’s protectionThe contrast between human sinfulness and divine mercyThe call to courage and perseverance amid persecution
Keywords
trustrockfortressdeliverancemercyenemygriefsilencefaithfulsuffering
People
David
Places
Things
rockfortressnethandspiritmercystrong citypavilion
Key Verses
  • Psalms 31:1: Introduces the psalmist’s foundational trust and sets the tone for the prayer
  • Psalms 31:5: Highlights the surrender of the soul and the theme of redemption
  • Psalms 31:18: Affirms the defeat of the wicked and the silent judgment
  • Psalms 31:21: Celebrates God’s marvelous kindness and protection
Questions
  • What does the psalmist mean by describing God as a rock and a fortress?
  • How does the psalmist’s personal lament relate to his trust in God?
  • In what ways does the psalm call the community to respond to persecution?
  • How does Psalm 31 anticipate the theme of deliverance found later in the Psalms?
Sentiment

mixed
The psalm expresses deep sorrow and distress while simultaneously affirming faith and hope in divine deliverance.