Psalms 31

Psalms 31:1-8

On what occasion this system was penned is not said; it seems probable on some of his escapes from Saul at Kriels, Mount, or Engadi. 1. David professeth his cheerful confidence in God, and in that confidence prays for deliverance out of his present troubles, ver. 1—8. 2. He complains of the very deplorable condition he was in, and prays that God would graciously appear for him against his persecutors, ver. 9—18. 3. He gives glory to God, and encourages himself and others to trust in him, ver. 19—24.

VOL. I. ¶ To the chief musician, A psalm of David.

1. IN thee, O LORD, do I put my trust, let me never be ashamed: I deliver me in thy righteousness. 2. I bow down thine ear to me, deliver me speedily: I 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 lake lead me, and guide me. 4. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. 5. I into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. 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.

The greatness of our trials need not discourage us whilst we have a great God to support us: to him David has recourse in all his needs.

1. As usual, he opens with earnest and importunate prayer. All his help and hope came from above, thither therefore he directs his supplications. (1.) He begs that he might not be ashamed, either of God his confidence, as calling him, or of the cause of God, however it might be wished or depressed. (2.) That God would deliver him in his righteousness, and that speedily, as a righteous judge of those who are oppressed with wrong, and a defence against the fury of his persecutors, v. 2, 3. (3.) He desires to be led, and guided aright, that in the path of duty he might find the way of safety. (4.) Particularly, he interests that the present share, laid for him, may be broken, and his feet plucked from the net. Note, (1.) Forvent prayer will have a speedy answer. (2.) They who lodge their cause with God, shall find a righteous judge, who will give to every man according as his work is. (3.) They who truly desire to know God’s will, and follow it, shall surely be taught and led in the right way.

2. He professes his fixed dependence upon God. In thee do I put my trust; not in my own righteousness, as deserving ought at thy hands; not in my own wisdom, as able to extricate myself; not in my own strength, as sufficient to support me, but in thy wisdom, righteousness, and strength, as my only refuge; for thou art my rock, fixed and immovable, and my fortress, impregnable and secure: thou art my strength, to work for me and in me, and therefore into thy hands I commit my spirit, to be preserved in life, amidst surrounding dangers; to be kept from evil, amidst the snares that are laid for me; and to be secured for eternity, however thy providence may dispose of me here below: thou hast redeemed me; rescued my body from many a danger, and by atoning blood delivered my soul from hell, O Lord God of truth, whose promises I have ever experienced to be faithful and sure. Note, (1.) They who have God for their rock, need not fear who are their foes. (2.) If our spirits are safe lodged in the arms of Jesus, we may quietly wait the issue of every affliction, and know the end will be peace. (3.) Those who are redeemed by a Saviour’s blood, shall be preserved by the Saviour’s grace. (4.) The more we are enabled to trust on God’s promise, the stronger testimony we bear to his faithfulness.

3. He renounces all connection with idols, and all resource to these vanities in his distresses; he hated the ways of all their worshippers, and cleaved to Jehovah alone. Note, God is an all-sufficient portion, we need look for nothing more to make us safe and happy.

4. He rejoices in the mercy of his gracious God. His troubles God had considered with tenderest compassion, and in adversities known his soul, approved his temper, and visited him with notices of kind regard. Escaped from the spot where he was in danger, he enjoys now a happy deliverance, and walks at large with no foe to molest him. Note, (1.) Mercenates deserve a constant return of praise. (2.) Our spirit and temper in time of trouble, will best shew our state towards God. (3.) It is the comfort of God’s people in every state, that he knows their simplicity, and regards them with his favour.

The words, v. 5. being used by our divine Lord on the cross, may well support us in applying the whole to him; whose prayer in trouble, unshaken dependence on God, deliverance from adversity, and exaltation above his enemies, were more peculiar and distinguished than those of his illustrious progenitor.

9. Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; I mine eye is confirmed 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

because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

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. 12. ‘I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind! I am like a broken vessel. 13. For ‘I have heard the flander of many, ‘fear was on every side, while they took counsel together against me, they decided to take away my life. 14. But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. 15. ‘My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that perfectate me. 16. ‘Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies sake. 17. ‘Let me not be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be a silent in the grave. 18. ‘Let the lying lips be put to silence: ‘which speak: grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

12. 9.—18. Swift as Job’s messenger of evil are the returns of trouble, and therefore call for as repeated application to the God of all grace.

13. David spreads before God his bitter forrows; with constant tears his eyes grew dim, his appetite failed him, his strength decayed, his very bones wafted; and his foul, in equal anguish with his body, was ready to sink under its burdens; and this by reason of his iniquity, 9. 10. His other trials were light, compared with these: in all his sufferings from man, he had his integrity to comfort him, but here he stood self-condemned, and owns his afflictions less than his iniquity delivered: his acquaintance, who should comfort him, now, as true courtiers, delect him when under his prince’s displeasure; all his pail kindness to them is forgotten, and since he can no longer serve them, like a broken vessel, he is thrown by and neglected: his enemies reproach him with every malignant accipiance; and as it was become dangerous to show the least regard to him, as Abimelech had experienced, his once familiar friends now are afraid to know him, and care not to meet him, lest the smallest civilities should be to their prejudice: he heard the flunder that was propagated on every side, and fear seized him when he knew they were plotting to take away his life. Note, (1.) The people of God are an afflicted people; but the foref of their griefs is the sense of their sins. (2.) They who place dependence on worldly friendships, will usually, to their sad disappointment, find them faithless. (3.) Abuse the most malignant and false hath been ever the lot of the best of men. (4.) They who have taken Christ for their matter, must expect to meet with the same flights and infidels; it is no uncommon case then, for our nearest relations to disown us, and our once dearest friends to be ashamed of us. Welcome reproach! if this be to be vile, let us be wile still. (5.) The Redeemer of fouls endured all this and more; an out-cult, despised, and abhorred, and persecuted by restless malice, till in his precious blood his enemies embroiled their guilty hands.

despires of those who are good, will be for ever sealed up under eternal vengeance.

19. ‘O how great is thy goodness, ‘which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee, before the sons of men! 20. ‘Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: ’thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 21. Blessed by the LORD, for ‘he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. 22. For ‘I said in my hand, ‘I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. 23. ‘O love the LORD, all ye his faints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. 24. ‘Be of good courage, and be shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

20. 19.—24. The more we experience of God’s grace and mercy towards us, the more shall we be filled with wonder, love, and praise.

21. The plainest breaks out into wonder. O how great is thy goodness! how transcendently blessed in which I now graciously free its communications and how amazingly extensive, even to the days of eternity; and up as an invaluable creature, and secured as a sacred deposit for them that fear thee! This is a distinguishing character of God’s people; they fear him, and nothing in comparison with him; let men threaten, or recite, they will not be moved to do evil, and rather would lay down their lives than offend God: and which thou hast wrought for those who trust in thee, hast wrought, for the redemption is complete, and the work finished; and they trust it is so, and are supported by that consideration: before the fire of man, either God’s special goodness to his people is manifested to men by his providential care and deliverance of them; or they make public and open profession of their dependence upon him, and glorify God thereby, even amidst all the threatenings of their adversaries. Thou shalt hide thee, when hurried by the enlistment of their fires, in the secret of thy presence; secure from harm, satisfied in thy love, comforted with the light of thy countenance; from the pride of man, that would discontinue, or trample them under foot: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues; whatever abuse, rancour, or disputing of men of perverse minds may be levelled against them, it shall neither disturb nor distress them. Note, (1.) They are well kept whom God keeps. (2.) It may well reconcile us to all the evil we meet with, when we enjoy a present sense of Divine favour, an experience of support from above, and a pleasing prospect of eternal rest, where we shall be for ever hid from the pride and revilings of men.

22. He blesses God for the experience of his mercy towards himself, so much beyond his hopes: the escapes he had were marvellous, and plainly sjoice God’s hand, when in Keilah, he was delivered from being betrayed to his enemies; his fears were ready to suggest that his case was desperate, but God was unbreakably better to him than his fears, and heard and answered the voice of his supplications. Note, (1.) We need often deeply reflect upon our unbelieving fears, so dishonourable to God, as well as discouraging to ourselves. (2.) In hail we are apt to speak unfully, and lay up matter for instantly repentance. (3.) Though for our distresses we deserve to be forsaken, God desirous not with us according to our desires, but according to his marvellous loving kindness.

23. From his own experience he encourages others to love and trust the blessed God. His faints should love him; and with good reason they should do so, when his love to them hath been so passing strange, and his dealings with them so amazingly kind; for he persecuted the faithful, from sin, from tilling, from their enemies, and will preforce them to his everlasting kingdom; and therefore how bound to love him! and painfully rewardeth the proud doer; gives them the just punishment of their iniquities; and therefore he exhorts God’s people, in the view of his constant care, and righteous judgment, to be of good courage; whatever dark providences overtake you, or temptations better you, or enemies opposite you, faint not, for God is with you, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord; whilst you hope, he will help; yea, he will give the hope as well as help, that more may be ever able to pluck you out of his hand. Note, (1.) The people of God should communicate their experience for mutual comfort and dislocation. (2.) How greatly do we need to be stirred up to love this blessed God? who need not complain of the coldness of his heart, and the unfaithfulness of his afflictions, when he considers but a moment the wounding of redeeming grace? (3.) Nothing makes us go on so heavily as God’s ways as fear of falling; nothing so enliven us to duty as confidence of never falling support. Trust them, my soul, in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Yeheesh is everlasting strength.

PSALM

The opises tells us, that David in this psalm deseribus the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousses without works, Rom. ix. 6. He gives us a summary, 1. Of guspel grace in the pardon of sin, ver. 1, 2. In divine preaustion, ver. 7. and divine condses, ver. 8. 2. Of guspel duty; To confesi sin, ver. 9, 10. To pray, ver. 6. To govern oursshoi origin, ver. 9, 10. And to rejoice in God, ver. 11.

¶ A psalm of David, Maschil.

1. BLESSED is be a whole transgression is forgiven, while sin is covered. 2. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whole spirit there is no guile. 3. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old; through my toring all the day long. 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my mosture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid: I laid, I will confese my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgawst the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6. The thir shall every one that is godly, pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayst be found: surely in the floods of great waters, they shall not come nigh unto him.

2. 1.—6. This psalm was probably composed after Nathan, the messinger of God’s mercy, had noused David from the lethargy of sin, and brought him at the same time the glad tidings of pardoning grace. In title is Maschil, some by it was the mussical instrament to which it was set; others refer it to the matter of the psalm, as containing found and weighty instrations, as the word signifies; and indeed, what instruction so needful for a sinner, as the knowledge how he may obtain the full and free pardon of his sint! what so consearsible to the miserable, as to have the way of true, abiding, eternal happiness opened to them! Hear then and believe, and the blessedness is thine. We have here,

3. A declaration of the rich grace of God, made to perstising sinners in Christ, and the blessedness thence accruing. Their transgression is forgiven, be it never so great, never so aggravated, never so long continued in; their sin is covered; the blood of Jesus blots out the dread account; the righteousses of Jesus covers every spot of evil: their iniquity is not imputed; it is not their blessedness that they have no iniquity, for they are full of it, their nature is corrupt, their hearts desperately wicked, and their ways altogether abominable before God; but when in Christ Jesus they are called and chosen, no charge loths against them, because their sins have been all impun’d to him; and he, who hears us sin, was purely sposses in himself, hath become sin for them, represending their guilty character, and bearing all the wrath, which was the wages of sin, that they might be made for righteousses of God in him; might be, as considered in him, complete before God, and treated as righteous persons, who never had offended: these are blessed, completely and eternally blessed; no terrors of conscience dismay them, no fear of death need trouble them, nor any dread of judgment dissees them, for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Such is their privilege, and their practice is answerable thereunto: in their spirit there is no guilty; they are not only without spot, in virtue of their relation to Jesus their head, but the same grace that jussifies the guilty, sanstifies the unholy; they are blessed with simplicity of heart before God, and yield themselves up to the guidance of his word and spirit.

4. He describes his miserable state whilst sin reigned in him and over him; God’s hand was heavy upon him in some violent diseafe, that parched up his body as the drought in summer; and the angusth made his very shoot sears old, he appeared so enaciated thereby. Note, (1.) Miserable is the estate of the impunsent sinner. (2.) However sovere the scourge that drives us to God, we have abundant reason to kist the red.

5. At last his silence broke, and he spoke with his tongue in penitent consestion; with deep and unsteigned humiliation laying bare his belson before the heart desaching God, and defining to hide none of his transgressions. Note, (1.) It is a blessed symptom when the sinner is brought to his knees. (2.) They who are only awakened by God’s Spirit, desire to take shame to themselves; not palliating their offences, but in their aggravated guilt acknowledging and lamenting them.

6. Whilst he was speaking, yea, before he spake, God heard and pardoned. I said, I will confese, set, and ere the purpose was formed into a prayer, thou forgawst the iniquity of my sin; sealed the pardon to my conscience, which was before touched in, and granted to the Redeemer. Note, (1.) All who came to God in Christ, will find him erudite to pardon than

we to pray; what an encouragement to the chief of sinners! (2.) It is not our presitence, nor our prayers, but God’s free grace, to which alone we are indebted.

5. He doulos not but his experience would have a gracious effect on others; and seing God so ready abundantly to pardon, they would be induced to pray; and every godly man, under a sinse of daily transgressions, would not fail to come to him in the time of need, when God will be ever found of those who soek him, and then forerly, in the flood of great waters, whether they be floods of temptation, or affliction, or corruption, they shall not come nigh unto him, so as mortally to hurt him, or shallly to swallow him up. Note, (1.) It is a comfort to a distressed sinner, groaning under a sinse of guilt, to bear that others, like himself, have found mercy. (2.) The most godly men need be found daily, as sinners, at the throne of grace. (3.) They who soek God shall forerly find him; the more immiscerally terrible their danger, the more shall God’s grace and love be magnified in their salvation.

6. Thou art my hidsing-place, thou shalt preferve me from trouble: thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8. I will instruch thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9. Be ye not as the horse- or as the mole which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with her and bridle, sest they come near unto thee. 10. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusseth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. 11. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice ye righteous: and shoot for joy all ye that are upright in heart.

7. 7.—11. They who have found a pardoning God, cannot but rejoice in hope.

8. David prosifies his confidence in God, and his expestations from him. Thus, the bleeding Lamb of God, whose wounds are open for me, thou art my hidsing-place, whether my poor and sinsid soul hath fled, and lies secure from all the accusations of conscience, the charges of Satan, and the fears of wrath: there no trouble can approach, but songs of deliverance compass me about, for guilt pardoned, for corruption subdued, for death destroyed, for hell shut up, for heaven opened. Note, They who have fled to Jesus for refuge, have found matter for eternal praise.

9. By sweet experience now he can teach others the way to rest and peace, and pardon and joy unspeakable. I will instruch thee, set, will point the path I myself have trod, and in which whoever walks, will find the same blessedness. Note, (1.) They who speak from experience, will preach most effectually. (2.) A teachable spirit is the way to true wisdom. (3.) God’s word and ministers, under the blessing of the spirit, are our appointed guides, and we must be in them.

10. He warns the obstinate and in a espile of their approaching misers, and cautions them to avoid it. They must not, like brute beasts, he staves to their appetites, nor refractory against the Divine word and warnings, for then their surrows would be multoplied, and then tennents insupportable and endless. Note, (1.) It is better to bend before God’s warnings, than break beneath his judgments. (2.) sinners degrade themselves from men to beasts; yea, worse than beasts, in the shufe of faculties these never prosssed. (3.) To-day if ye will bear his voice, hasten not your hearts.

11. He encourages the faithful to adhere to God, and rejoice in him; whilst they trust in God, his mercy shall compass, his power guard them. Therefore, he glad and rejoice ye righteous; ye that stand complete in Christ, glory in your privileges; and shoot for joy all ye that are upright in heart; ascribe the praise to him, to whom you are indebted for all the grace be-stowed upon you; and look forward, with holy transport, to the kingdom he hath provided for you. Amen! Amen!