When people face difficult times and know that the Lord is with them in every situation, a range of emotions seems to fill their souls as they seek relief. It's common for us to experience some of the expressions found in this psalm, and because we are fearful and want assurance of God's guidance, we pray, "Lead me... guide me... I trust Thee... my times are in Thy hand... let me not be ashamed... how great is Thy goodness!" Often, our emotions don't follow an orderly progression but rather burst out in moments of need, followed immediately by bursts of praise and thanksgiving. In moments of grief and gladness, thoughts tend to pour out in a rush of expression.
That seems to describe how David felt when he wrote this psalm. For some reason, a conspiracy against him led those he considered friends to abandon him. But despite others' actions, he affirms his unshakeable trust in the Lord. He relies fully on God's faithfulness and just judgments. His past troubles caused him anxiety. The future troubles of Israel during the tribulation are also referenced, and, like us, he sought comfort and help in his present struggles.
The first eight verses are a confident plea to the Lord, expressing assurance: "In Thee do I put my trust." When the Lord is our refuge, our faith becomes strong. Deliverance and security are guaranteed because of the One in whom we place our confidence. This prayer shows trust solely in the Lord, where "the name" of the Lord is the source and power of salvation. All of life's events and circumstances are in God's hands because "You are my God." We understand that the authority of God's name is linked to righteousness, love, and the power to save.
"In Thy righteousness" indicates that any deliverance will follow the Lord's unchanging standards. Sin demands a penalty that must be paid. This is where we find hope, because our Lord Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins. In the fifth verse, we read the last sayings of Christ on the cross. So, this psalm is clearly linked with our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, when He suffered for us to bring us to God. "Into Thy hands, I commit my spirit" is a prayer of trust. When our Lord had accomplished "all things," He verbally committed His spirit to His Father. These words, or words that express a similar thought, have been the final words of many suffering saints as they leave their bodies. Like our Lord Jesus, when we say, "I commit my spirit," we are saying that we are willingly passing from God's earthly care to His eternal care. We must commit everything we have and hope to be to Him, primarily ourselves.
"My strong rock" and "My rock and my fortress" affirm faith in the Rock of our salvation and the fortress of our protection against which nothing can prevail. We have confidence that the One in whom our faith is placed and who secures us will guide us "for His name's sake." His reputation and honor are involved in the conduct of the life of a child of God. The Lord sees our troubles and adversities, so even while experiencing them, we can rejoice and be glad in His mercy. That brings praise for this "large room," this "wide place" that is safe from the snares and traps set by those who are enemies.
Until verse nine, God's mercies in the past assured the psalmist of the solid foundation of his faith. In the following part of the psalm, he expresses his current need. He is a "reproach," a "fear" to his friends. He has become a forgotten man, a castaway. He is in a state of loneliness and despair and has completely surrendered himself to the mercy of the Lord. When troubles come, we must go directly to the Lord and share the words of our soul with Him. Contempt and rejection can drain us emotionally and physically, as David experienced. In times of distress, a prayer for deliverance is most appropriate because "our times are in Thy hand."
The hands of the Lord Jesus bear the marks of nails received when He was crucified for us and bear our sins in His own body on the tree. Care comes from His hands today, meeting our needs and dispensing blessings now and in the future. Such an affirmation of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is called for compared to the worthless idols to which others cling. We commit our spirit to the God of truth and give our allegiance as believers in Christ to Him alone. Helplessness and hopelessness are what one feels when they are rejected and hated. Then, we stop and consider that all of life's circumstances are under God's control and are in His hands.
When we understand that God's face is shining upon us, whose face is it? It is the face of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we have seen our Lord, we have seen the Father. His face is the face of someone who truly loves us. The psalmist had complete confidence that God would come to his aid. He praises God for what He will do in anticipation of the divine deliverance he expects. The goodness of the Lord is one of His many treasures for His people. We often talk about how kind someone was to us during a crisis and express our appreciation. How much more should we talk about the goodness of the Lord, whose mercies are renewed to us every morning?
Expressions of heartfelt gratitude, "O how great is Thy goodness," serve as reminders of past mercies, assurances of present help, and confidence and trust in God for the future. The Lord preserves those who uphold their moral integrity and remain faithful to Him. He will also ensure just consequences for the proud and wicked. We should open our hearts and mouths in expressions of love for the Lord and remember that He strengthens us and gives us the courage to face both difficult and joyful times because our hope is in Him.
PSALM 31. Trust in the Lord. This is a psalm of lament in which David seeks God's comfort through a wide range of thoughts and emotions. In times of stress, God requires complete commitment. v. 1-8. FLEE TO GOD (Appeal) Ashamed: We have faith in God, but do we truly trust Him? David never wanted to be disgraced by failing the Lord, in whom he had taken refuge [v.1]. He turns to God to escape his troubles and to defend himself from pressure. He finds fellowship and protection in the Lord, His Rock and Fortress [v.2-3]. A trap has been set, but the Lord is his Strength, and he commits his spirit confidently to God. The Lord spoke these words on the cross, and Stephen repeated them as they faced death. They escaped the trap of the evil one, who uses idols to tempt those under pressure [v.4-6].
Known to my soul: The Lord pays attention to those who seek refuge in Him. Each person is known intimately by the Lord [v.7]. Large room (ample space): the armies of Israel needed a wide area to maneuver during battles with their enemies. In the “large room,” we can be free from the traps set by enemies trying to snare us. God grants us more freedom than we need to move within His moral boundaries. We must use all our opportunities wisely, and they will lead us to victory [26:11-12].
v. 9-13. DISTRESS Suffering and isolation lead him to pray for deliverance once more. "Mine eye”: wasted away (as in 6:6-7) with helplessness and hopelessness, similar to feeling hated or rejected. “Strength faileth” because, as in “the way of the ungodly," such failure is always true.
Sometimes, like in Job's case, our “neighbors”—family and friends—can make our suffering worse. In these moments, our only option is to go straight to God without hesitation.
v. 14-18. TRUST IN GOD Troubles that reaffirm our trust in the Lord are blessings in disguise. “Thou art my God” is a statement of faith as David turns to the Lord. In the same way, we must do the same, deliberately and gladly. All of life’s circumstances are under God’s control. “My times are in Thy hands” is not a statement of resignation but a strong affirmation of faith. God’s love and care enable us to keep steady regardless of circumstances. It keeps us from taking matters into our own hands and acting foolishly.
He calls upon God to look favorably on him, “make Thy face to shine” [Num. 6:23-26], and trusts in God’s mercy. He prays for the wicked to be ashamed and asks God for divine retribution on those who have clearly shown they are enemies of God and His people. This aligns with Christian principles [Rev. 6:10], as God will judge evil.
v. 19-24. PRAISE TO GOD David’s gratitude is shown through praise and thanksgiving for God’s greatness, which is seen as a reward for those who trust Him. God’s “marvelous kindness” signifies that God is loyal to His followers. Saying, “I am cut off,” was an impulsive statement without basis. God’s kindness is entirely undeserved. Praise the Lord with all your heart; be of good courage, and our “Love for the Lord” is sincere.