Psalms 31
FBMeyerPsalms 31:1-13
a Cry out of Deep Trouble Psalms 31:1-13 Some have supposed that this psalm was written during the Sauline persecutions; but it is more likely that it dates from Absalom’ s rebellion. It alternates between the depths of despondency and the heights of sublime faith, and well befits those who walk in darkness and have no light, Isaiah 50:10. It sounds as if the soul were on a wind-swept moor, with no shelter from the storm. All is dark and wild; and it dreads to be caught in the entangling net, Psalms 31:4. What a magnificent prayer is that of Psa 31:5! It supplied their last words to Stephen, Polycarp, Bernard, Hus, Luther, Melanchthon-above all, to our Lord, Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59. The Psalter was our Lord’ s prayer book. This verse is a suitable petition also, as we go forth into the unknown day, 2 Timothy 1:12. Sin, slander, neglect make the heart break; but God is all-sufficient. Hide in Him; that life is safe which is God-encompassed. “ Hid with Christ in God!” Colossians 3:1-4.
In the secret of Thy PresenceIn Psalms 31:9-18 we have a picture of unusual grief, probably written during the rebellion of Absalom. It alternates from depths of despondency to heights of sublime trust. It fits well the experiences of any who walk in the darkness and have no light (Isaiah 50:10).
Psalms 31:1 In Thee do I trust. God’s answer to his people’s trust is guaranteed by his righteousness (Joe 2:26).
Psalms 31:2A house of defence. Hidden with Christ in God, the believer, apparently defenceless, lives, walks and has his being within an impregnable defence. You go into the day enclosed in God just as God’s life is enclosed in you.
Psalms 31:3-4 Pull me out of the net!. When we are wholly given up to God, our cause is his, and the honor of his name is at stake (Joshua 7:9). God’s pulls are sometimes rather sharp.
Psalms 31:5 Into Thine hand!. The last words of Stephen, Polycarp, Bernard, Huss, Luther, Melancthon, and of many more, and above all of our Lord (Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59). The Psalter was our Saviour’s prayer-book. This is a suitable petition for every morning before the day’s war and work. What a claim we have on God! He must keep what we commit, because we are his by redemption and because his truth cannot fail (2 Timothy 1:12).
Psalms 31:7I will be glad and rejoice!. Faith will find material for her songs in the darkest days. God can recognize us though, our beauty has vanished and our friends hardly know us (Job 2:12).
Psalms 31:9 Mine eye is consumed with grief. This and the following verses tell a sad tale. There is a special disease of the eyes brought on by excessive weeping. We all know how the digestion and the health are affected by mental emotion. Yet the believer realizes that each moment of suffering is allotted by the dear hand of God. The Refiner sits beside the crucible, his watch in hand, his other hand on the patient’s pulse. “My times are in thy hand.”
Psalms 31:10 My strength faileth. Sin may be committed in the heat of passion. It lays up for itself bitter memories and involves sorrowful consequences which eat into the soul.
Psalms 31:11A fear to mine acquaintance. The inmates of the same house avoided him. Those who met him in the streets fled from him.
Psalms 31:14-18 Thou art my God. What a change there is in the spirit of our life when we look from men and things to God! Do not look at God through circumstances; but at circumstances through the environing presence of God, as though a golden haze. The times of our Lord’s life were in his Father’s hands as ours are in his (Psalms 31:15; John 2:4; John 7:6; John 7:8; John 7:30; John 8:20). Who will dread the averted faces of friends or foes, if only God’s face shines? We cannot see it shine unless, as his servants, we are where He would have us be and doing his will (Psalms 31:16). “Grievous” things are hard ones (Psalms 31:18).
Psalms 31:19 How great is Thy goodness!. As God hath laid up ore in the earth, so that man must dig for it–so hath God laid up unsearchable riches of goodness in Christ and all spiritual blessings (Romans 11:33). But we must first know what they are, and then take them (Proverbs 2:1-5).
Psalms 31:20 In the secret of Thy presence. What a compensation for slandered saints! Perhaps we never know that hiding until we have tasted the proud hatred and contempt of man. Do you know the royal withdrawing room? God’s pavilion is sound-tight; the strife of tongues cannot invade.
Psalms 31:21 His marvellous kindness. Was this Mahanaim? (2 Samuel 17:27).
Psalms 31:22.In my haste, it is a mistake to speak in haste.
Psalms 31:23-24 Oh, love the Lord!. Oh for love, that we may cast it at His feet, who is so infinitely lovable! And out of love shall spring hope, strength, and courage.
Psalms 31:14-24
Jehovah Preserveth the Faithful Psalms 31:14-24 What a change ensues in the spirit of our life when we look from men and things to God! Do not look at God through circumstances, but at circumstances through God’ s environing presence, as through a golden haze. Our Lord’ s times were in the hands of the Father, and He would not move an inch until the clock had struck in heaven, John 2:4; John 7:6; John 7:8; John 7:30; John 8:20. As God hath laid up coal and ore in the earth; and as explorers in Arctic regions deposit provisions in cairns, that those who follow in their steps, or they themselves returning, may be supplied on their march, so unsearchable riches are stored in Christ awaiting our appropriation, 2 Peter 1:3. What a hiding-place is the secret of His presence! Have you ever been inside that royal withdrawing-room? God’ s pavilion is sound-tight; the strife of tongues cannot penetrate.
In the secret of Thy PresenceIn Psalms 31:9-18 we have a picture of unusual grief, probably written during the rebellion of Absalom. It alternates from depths of despondency to heights of sublime trust. It fits well the experiences of any who walk in the darkness and have no light (Isaiah 50:10).
Psalms 31:1 In Thee do I trust. God’s answer to his people’s trust is guaranteed by his righteousness (Joe 2:26).
Psalms 31:2A house of defence. Hidden with Christ in God, the believer, apparently defenceless, lives, walks and has his being within an impregnable defence. You go into the day enclosed in God just as God’s life is enclosed in you.
Psalms 31:3-4 Pull me out of the net!. When we are wholly given up to God, our cause is his, and the honor of his name is at stake (Joshua 7:9). God’s pulls are sometimes rather sharp.
Psalms 31:5 Into Thine hand!. The last words of Stephen, Polycarp, Bernard, Huss, Luther, Melancthon, and of many more, and above all of our Lord (Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59). The Psalter was our Saviour’s prayer-book. This is a suitable petition for every morning before the day’s war and work. What a claim we have on God! He must keep what we commit, because we are his by redemption and because his truth cannot fail (2 Timothy 1:12).
Psalms 31:7I will be glad and rejoice!. Faith will find material for her songs in the darkest days. God can recognize us though, our beauty has vanished and our friends hardly know us (Job 2:12).
Psalms 31:9 Mine eye is consumed with grief. This and the following verses tell a sad tale. There is a special disease of the eyes brought on by excessive weeping. We all know how the digestion and the health are affected by mental emotion. Yet the believer realizes that each moment of suffering is allotted by the dear hand of God. The Refiner sits beside the crucible, his watch in hand, his other hand on the patient’s pulse. “My times are in thy hand.”
Psalms 31:10 My strength faileth. Sin may be committed in the heat of passion. It lays up for itself bitter memories and involves sorrowful consequences which eat into the soul.
Psalms 31:11A fear to mine acquaintance. The inmates of the same house avoided him. Those who met him in the streets fled from him.
Psalms 31:14-18 Thou art my God. What a change there is in the spirit of our life when we look from men and things to God! Do not look at God through circumstances; but at circumstances through the environing presence of God, as though a golden haze. The times of our Lord’s life were in his Father’s hands as ours are in his (Psalms 31:15; John 2:4; John 7:6; John 7:8; John 7:30; John 8:20). Who will dread the averted faces of friends or foes, if only God’s face shines? We cannot see it shine unless, as his servants, we are where He would have us be and doing his will (Psalms 31:16). “Grievous” things are hard ones (Psalms 31:18).
Psalms 31:19 How great is Thy goodness!. As God hath laid up ore in the earth, so that man must dig for it–so hath God laid up unsearchable riches of goodness in Christ and all spiritual blessings (Romans 11:33). But we must first know what they are, and then take them (Proverbs 2:1-5).
Psalms 31:20 In the secret of Thy presence. What a compensation for slandered saints! Perhaps we never know that hiding until we have tasted the proud hatred and contempt of man. Do you know the royal withdrawing room? God’s pavilion is sound-tight; the strife of tongues cannot invade.
Psalms 31:21 His marvellous kindness. Was this Mahanaim? (2 Samuel 17:27).
Psalms 31:22.In my haste, it is a mistake to speak in haste.
Psalms 31:23-24 Oh, love the Lord!. Oh for love, that we may cast it at His feet, who is so infinitely lovable! And out of love shall spring hope, strength, and courage.