Psalm 31
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
Pt. 1

This psalm divides itself quite naturally into three stanzas and, happily, the one who set it in ‘verses’ in our English Bible seems to have at least gotten that correct. It is obviously from a time of trouble, maybe, again, from the time when David was sought by Saul.

He perceived that a secret (‘privily,’ v.4) plan had been hatched against him and he was in need of not only the deliverance of Jehovah (YHVH) but of His guidance, instruction, leadership.

We do know that Abiathar, the only survivor of the slaughter of the priests by Doeg the Edomite (1 Sam 22:18), had brought the ‘ephod’ with him, the breastplate of the High Priest, when he escaped and came to David in the wilderness (1 Sam 23:6). (There was another item, called a ‘linen ephod’ which was at times worn in times of worship, 2 Sam 6:1.) And, we know that this was a device used to seek the direct answer to prayers often used by the warrior king during this time. We can imagine this being a part of one of David’s petitions when he heard of Saul’s pursuit of him.

We will consider the first stanza.

Ps 31:1-8
1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Here the elements of worship and petition are blended in a beautiful way. David affirmed his devotion to and faith in the Great God (YHVH) of Israel coupled with a double petition. If his enemies (Saul and his army) defeated him, all of the notion of him being selected as king and anointed would have been demonstrated to have been a sham and all of his actions subsequent to that would have been shown to have been dangerously foolish, bringing shame not only on him but also his family.

Not only, that but the actions of Samuel to find him and officially set him as king, if actions of the Lord, would have brought the Lord’s righteousness even into question. On the basis of these two principles David appealed to God. It is as if he is saying, “O LORD, vindicate yourself in all of this.” This is quite an appeal, made on the sure confidence that God does not act foolishly nor in vain, solid ground for such a petition.

2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. 3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

He recognized that whenever the Lord deems to hear one of His servant’s prayers it is a stooping for Him, a bowing down to listen. He is ever the Lord and we the creature. David was keen to keep that in his mind and in his request.

‘Strong rock,’ ‘rock,’ ‘house of defense,’ and ‘my fortress’ are all images readily in mind amidst the terrain of Judah’s wilderness area. He had the rocks for sure, but he had no fortress, no ‘house of defense’ in which to secure himself against an armed foe. In his mind God Himself would have to be that for him. And, he knew, when the Lord does so reveal himself to defend one of His, there is no comparable fortress anywhere in the universe.

A part of the petition was also for leadership and guidance because his enemies have made plans against him about which he often was ignorant without the Lord’s special guidance.

4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. 5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

While it is true that we are always in God’s hand, it is good always, as did this renegade king, to remember that, affirm that, and to bring our minds into full recognition and agreement with that principle, to embrace it.

6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; 8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

David was also careful to reset his priorities. He hated evil and loved the Righteous LORD. He also remembered the times already that God had delivered him and reflected on them before the Lord.

God’s previous deliverances of His people are a model He often follows and all of His should keep that in mind.

— May 15, 2020