Psalm 31
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
Pt. 2

We take up here the second stanza of this Psalm which is a sort of a repetition but also an advancement, reflecting the spiraling style of many of our biblical writers. The issue is the same, David is in trouble, but the intensity of his cry is elevated.

There is a physical component to his suffering in addition to the conspiracy that exists a against him, v.4. And, there is a confession of his own sin which he saw as a complicating factor.

9 Have 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: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Here we have the emotional as well as physical sufferings that David experienced during Saul’s pursuits of him. But we also remember that there were decisions he made during this time which one might argue were
contrary to the Law of God which he cherished so. Consider the partnership with the Philistines which allied him against his people, at least in the view of many, as one example.

Some have suggested that it was the mental toll upon him that he identified as affecting his health. Every soul that has ever had to make difficult decisions knows the pain of the reviews of those decisions down the
road and the misery that comes when considering that there were sinful elements in them.

11 I 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.

There was a time when those who hosted David and his band betrayed him to Saul. We have no doubt that he was kind and generous to the citizens of Keilah and, yet, they sold him out when push came to shove. We could almost imagine this part of the Psalm as reflective of his feelings of betrayal and abandonment as he departed for the wilderness once again.

12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

Most people have never known the experience of having enemies plot their murder as David had but many have known the conspiracy “to take away my life” in other ways. It is a profound emotional blow that leaves deep wounds which last for a lifetime. Even though one may forgive his enemies, the injury, the wounds and the scars never go away. The sense of being “a broken vessel” abides.

Having said that, David again reminded himself of the source of his hope and his abiding confidence.

14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

In the face of it all: conspiracy, abandonment, agonizing over past decisions and the emotional/physical cost that had been taken upon him, the Warrior King stood steadfast in his Faith. He Trusted God, which was both the basis of his Justification before Him as will as his hope at this dark moment that he would ultimately be preserved to fulfill that for which he had been anointed.

This is a touchstone which should often be visited by the sons of God, especially in the dark moments of life when all hope of a good outcome seems lost.

15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Always true. God is in control no matter how things seem. The cry for deliverance is not a rebellion against Sovereignty, it is the natural petition of one who has been promised much (every child of God) but is experiencing seemingly the opposite of what had been assured to him. It is not wrong to anticipate that He will fulfill all of His Promises nor to ask Him to do so.

16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.

David used this phrase, “make thy face to shine” at least six times in the Psalms. It is a euphemism which pictures His Face as turned away in the time of trouble, as the Father did while Jesus suffered on the Cross,
but then turning back to look upon His servant in obvious favor, remove the difficulty in which he is suffering and return him to a state of joy and blessing.

This is a desire every saint should have and a goal he should seek. Regardless of how things end on this earth and in this physical life, this prayer, this longing, will ultimately be answered in the affirmative.

— May 16, 2020