Psalms 31

Into your hands I commit my spirit

Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right.a ²Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.b ³You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.

⁴Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. ⁵I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.c ⁶I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord.d

⁷I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.e ⁸You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place.f ⁹Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away.

¹⁰I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. ¹¹I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors— even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way.g ¹²I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.

¹³I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life.h ¹⁴But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!”i ¹⁵My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.j

¹⁶Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. ¹⁷Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave. ¹⁸Silence their lying lips— those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

¹⁹How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.k ²⁰You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.l ²¹Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack.

²²In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the Lord!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. ²³Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant.m ²⁴So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!n

Commentary

Psalm 31 is a lament that moves through desperate petition into confident trust, making it one of the most emotionally honest prayers in the Psalter. David cries out from a place of physical affliction, social shame, and spiritual distress, yet he repeatedly anchors himself in God's

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Bible Dictionary· Psalms 31(14)

Body Cry Ear Hand Honor Lips Place Right Silence Soul Spirit Strength The Way Worship

References· Psalms 31

a: v.1 — Romans 10:11, Psalms 25:2, Psalms 71:1-3, Psalms 22:4-5, Psalms 143:1, Isaiah 49:23, Daniel 9:16, Psalms 7:8-9, Psalms 43:1, Romans 5:5
b: v.2 — Psalms 71:2-3, Psalms 86:1, Psalms 102:2, Psalms 130:2, 1 John 4:15-16, Deuteronomy 32:31, Psalms 62:7, Isaiah 33:16, Psalms 91:9, Psalms 79:1
c: v.5 — Into your hands I commit my spirit: Luke 23:46; Luke 23:46, Acts 7:59, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalms 71:23, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Titus 1:2, Isaiah 50:2, Titus 2:14, Genesis 48:16, 2 Timothy 1:12
d: v.6 — Into your hands I commit my spirit: Luke 23:46; Jonah 2:8, Psalms 26:5, Psalms 24:4, 1 Corinthians 10:20, 1 Corinthians 8:4, Jeremiah 10:15, Jeremiah 10:8, John 2:8, Psalms 96:7-9, 1 Chronicles 16:28-29
e: v.7 — Isaiah 49:13, Isaiah 63:9, Psalms 119:153, 2 Timothy 2:19, John 10:27-30, Isaiah 63:16, Galatians 4:9, Isaiah 43:2, Psalms 142:3, Lamentations 3:50
f: v.8 — Job 36:16, Psalms 4:1, Deuteronomy 32:30, Psalms 18:19, 1 Samuel 24:18, 1 Samuel 17:46, Psalms 88:8, Job 16:11, Isaiah 19:4, 1 Samuel 26:8
g: v.11 — His acquaintances fled from him: Mark 14:50; Psalms 38:11, Psalms 88:8, Matthew 26:56, Psalms 88:18, Isaiah 53:3-5, Isaiah 49:7, Psalms 41:8-9, Psalms 64:8, Job 19:13-14, Psalms 69:19-20
h: v.13 — They conspired to kill him: Matthew 27:1, John 11:53; Jeremiah 20:10, Matthew 27:1, Lamentations 2:22, 1 Samuel 20:33, Matthew 26:3-4, 2 Samuel 17:1-4, Matthew 26:59, Luke 23:1-2, Luke 23:5, Jeremiah 6:25
i: v.14 — He trusted in God; let Him deliver him: Matthew 27:43; Psalms 56:3-4, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 43:5, Psalms 16:1-2, Matthew 26:42, Psalms 140:6, Matthew 26:39, Psalms 63:1, Psalms 71:22, Psalms 71:12
j: v.15 — Acts 1:7, John 17:1, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, John 7:6, Psalms 142:6, Job 24:1, Psalms 17:8-9, 2 Timothy 4:6, Psalms 143:3, Psalms 143:9
k: v.19 — 1 Corinthians 2:9, Isaiah 64:4, Lamentations 3:23-25, 1 Peter 1:4-5, Colossians 3:2-4, James 2:5, Psalms 16:11, Psalms 126:2-3, 1 John 3:1-2, Psalms 23:5
l: v.20 — Psalms 27:5, Psalms 32:7, Psalms 91:1-4, Job 5:21, Psalms 64:2-4, Psalms 140:5, Psalms 140:3, Exodus 18:11, Psalms 40:4, James 4:6
m: v.23 — Psalms 97:10, Psalms 94:2, Psalms 145:20, John 10:27-30, Psalms 34:9, Psalms 30:4, Deuteronomy 33:3, 1 Samuel 2:9, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Psalms 89:7
n: v.24 — Psalms 27:14, Psalms 146:5, Colossians 1:11, Isaiah 35:3-4, Hebrews 12:12-13, Psalms 29:11, Psalms 138:3, James 5:10-11, Luke 22:31-32, Romans 15:12-13

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