(2) God’s response then gives the people all the more reason to trust. We are familiar with this verse, because Jesus’ dying words were, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46). “But I trust (Hebrew: batah) in you, Yahweh. For the meaning of hesed, see the comments on verse 7 above. they plot to take away my life. In this verse, the psalmist sees his life as awash with sorrow and despair. They wanted to catch David. One would be the result of guilt that becomes public knowledge. Even in the struggles of grief they can have confidence. He preserves the faithful. One of the Ten Commandments states, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16; see also Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 105:6; 140:11; Proverbs 30:10; Jeremiah 20:10). John Piper Apr 20, 2012 3.1K Shares Article. It also required them to buy back (redeem) family land that had fallen into other hands due to poverty (Leviticus 25:25, 33). The psalmist hates those who ally themselves with lying vanities. Now he feels trapped in despair. I will say, ‘It is my people;’ and they will say, ‘Yahweh is my God'” (Zechariah 13:9). My wife and I had two young children, one still in diapers. Back to Sermon on Psalm 26-50. Scripture: Psalm 31:19. “My times are in your hand. The psalmist prays that Yahweh will bestow on him this great blessing––a blessing that will insure the psalmist’s well being. Yahweh has “set (the psalmist’s) feet in a large place.”  A large space offers running room––options––opportunity. There are various reasons why a person might feel disgraced. Yahweh’s righteousness is reflected in his covenant faithfulness. They are instead an expression of his faith that, if he commends his spirit to Yahweh, Yahweh will save him from his enemies. Those who saw me on the street fled from me. The word ‘oniy means affliction. but I trust in Yahweh. The psalmist calls the faithful to love Yahweh. The medical/surgical treatments damaged my body, which has caused ongoing discomfort. She would learn to get along without the broken vessel. He allowed them to suffer defeat and exile, but he never abandoned them. The word “times” refers to the uncontrollable changes of life. Hannah prayed, “There is no rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2). “while they conspire (Hebrew:  yasad) together against me” (v. 13b). However, these plotters could be planning murder. for you have seen my affliction. Here it means to attach oneself to something. His terror has become theirs. ), The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. The Hebrew word batah means to feel secure or to have confidence. In verse 9, he spoke of being in distress and anger. As the father of an epileptic child cried to Jesus, “I believe. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. 8 You have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. Perhaps our phrase “Between a rock and a hard place” best captures the idea. In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Our God Is True! while they conspire together against me, “In you, Yahweh, I take refuge” (Hebrew hasah) (v. 1a). A Hiding Place for the Helpless. B. Psalm 31 - For the director of music. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2014), Gower, Ralph, The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times (Chicago: Moody Press, 1987), Kidner, Derek, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72, Vol. The word hebel (vanity) is difficult to translate exactly. I believed, and still believe, that nothing can “separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”, All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan. The word causes us to reflect upon the instability and changeableness of life. Yahweh’s love for humanity is definitely of the “for better, for worse” variety. “My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief” (Hebrew: ka’as) (v. 9b). 2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, Easter 5A, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014. ), The Complete WordStudy Old Testament (Chattanooga; AMG Publishers, 1994), Baker, Warren and Carpenter, Eugene, The Complete WordStudy Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), Bromiley, Geoffrey (General Editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, 4 vols. The Paperback Bible presents the Bible by the Book and is designed to be portable, readable, and truly personal with ample margins for notations. “Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, a fear to my acquaintances. They could not have conceived of a soul apart from a body. Yahweh had not given the psalmist over to his enemies, but had given him the privilege of being in a large place. The word kalah (spent) has the idea of being complete or finished. The psalmist also calls the faithful, those who place their hope in Yahweh, to be strong and to take courage. Israel gave Yahweh ever so many reasons to cut the strings that bound him to them, but he never did. Let me never be disappointed. He affirms that Yahweh is his God, which means that the psalmist is in good hands. The psalmist is pleading with Yahweh to show him mercy, because he is in distress (sarar). But the fact that you follow Christ makes you the special target. The word masor suggests a city under siege rather than a strong city. In his book Wishful Thinking, Frederick Buechner talks about how we enjoy anger––how we savor the prospect of revenge. This psalm is usually classified as an individual lament. Such a city is vulnerable, because the attacking enemy has the initiative and the citizenry is on the defense. These enemies hid the trap in Psalm 31:4. Regardless of the cause, feeling trapped is miserable. “they plot (Hebrew:  zamam) to take away my life” (v. 13c). The word bos goes beyond disappointment. That began to change in the two or three centuries before Jesus. Rocks are also a symbol of stability. “For I have heard the slander (Hebrew:  dibbah) of many, terror on every side” (v. 13a). It works everywhere you sign in, even with the mobile app! But the place of refuge is not a fortress or a hidden cave. Turn your ear … Paul quotes Joel 2:32, promising, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Psalm 31 Meaning Psalm 31 15 Commentary 15 My times are in thy hand: So, David confesses his total trust in the Lord. He explained, “I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, where you went. 14a (Downers Grove, Illinois:  Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), Limburg, James, Westminster Bible Companion: Psalms (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000, Mays, James Luther, Interpretation: Psalms (Louisville: John Knox, 1994), McCann, J. Clinton, Jr., The New Interpreter’s Bible: The Book of Psalms, Vol. “Bow down your ear to me. 21 Praise be to Yahweh, “I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man” (v. 12a). Yahweh has demonstrated his hesed (loving kindness) by his faithful adherence to the covenant promises. Good men can, and have done so. Be to me a strong rock, “I hate those who regard (Hebrew: samar) lying vanities” (Hebrew: hebel) (v. 6a). The word sarar has a variety of meanings, but its various meanings harken back to bound up or tied up. Breaking an attractive piece of pottery would break a woman’s heart––but her heart would heal while the pottery would not. Psalm 32, Blessed is the forgiven Hasid means kind, merciful, or pious––i.e., those whose lives manifest their deep faith in Yahweh––those who have determined to allow Yahweh and Yahweh’s law to shape their lives. The politicians are playing a zero-sum game (where you can gain something only by taking it from someone else). In Washington, the primary goal of politicians seems no longer to be the welfare of the people but the gaining and holding of power. His whole being, his eye, his soul (life) and his body, are being consumed by his poisonous anger. Bow dow… SermonAudio.com - Psalm 31 Sermons. You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth. Our phrase, “Here today; gone tomorrow,” has something of that sense. Calling on the name of the Lord has power: Let the wicked be disappointed (Hebrew: bos––shamed or disgraced). The word ka’as means anger. But broken pottery was worthless. The word sarah means trouble or distress. You have known my soul in adversities. The psalm is thus associated with the death of Jesus and of Stephen. Deliver me in your righteousness. A woman would find great pleasure in the two or three decorated clay vessels that she had managed to acquire for her kitchen. Let's turn now in our Bibles to Psalm 31. They would have to stop and greet him––ask how he was doing––offer to do what they could. I said, ‘You are my God'” (v. 14). Yahweh gave Aaron a blessing for Israel that includes, “Yahweh make his face to shine on you” (Numbers 6:25). “Make your face to shine on your servant” (v. 16a). Wouldn’t those who place their hope in Yahweh just naturally be strong and courageous? The word disappointed is inadequate translate the Hebrew word bos¸ which involves disgrace. The Israelites thought of the person holistically, and would never have divided the person into body and soul, as the Greeks were later to do. We may think we … (1) People trust, and God vindicates their trust. “Let me never be disappointed” (Hebrew: bos) (v. 1b). “Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold” (Hebrew:  ma’oz) (v. 4). It means the grave or death (Genesis 37:35; 42:38, etc.). Israel’s every setback was for the purpose of their eventual redemption. But the righteousness cited in this verse is not that of the psalmist, but of Yahweh. The first one covering the first eight verses, the second one covering verses 9-18, and the final section from nineteen to the end of the psalm. “Yahweh preserves the faithful” (v. 23b). To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. In this case, the psalmist’s enemies are conspiring against him––secretly planning their strategy to destroy him––laying the foundation for his destruction. 1. Yahweh’s name is at stake if a faithful person falls. The threat to the psalmist’s life could be just an attempt to destroy his reputation. For the meaning of hesed, see the comments on verse 7 above. But the Bible repeatedly shows that it is often because you follow the Lord that you encounter various trials. The psalmist feels like that broken pot––tragic yes, but yesterday’s tragedy. You have set my feet in a large place” (v. 8). In verse 13, the psalmist spoke of slander and conspiracy by those who “plot to take my life.”  But here he affirms his faith that Yahweh will protect those who fear him (v. 19) by secreting them to a safe place. Clay jars allowed water to evaporate slowly, cooling the water inside––a blessing in a hot climate. ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. Psalm 31: 1 – 8: In Psalm 31:1 "ashamed" means "let my enemies win". In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be … And with the words, ver. In that culture, people considered a person’s name to be more than a label to identify that person. Yahweh’s followers are also tob (good, moral, profitable). But the psalmist, who has exhibited both great pain and great faith, knows differently. A personal testimony:  I had colon cancer more than two decades ago. Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, Browse Sermons on Psalm 31:1-5. Psalm 31 is a prayer: David's prayer looking towards death. The idea of a siege is that the attackers can wear down the inhabitants––perhaps reducing them to starvation. The word yagon (sorrow) means sorrow or despair. A fear to my acquaintances. I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. As close as … “The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low” (Isaiah 2:17). Yahweh preserves the faithful, But the tob (goodness) characteristics do not belong to Yahweh alone, for Yahweh has laid them up for those who fear him and take refuge in him. The King James Version translated hebel as vanity, from the Latin vanitas, which carries the idea of fleeting or useless. 1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge. See the comments in verse 1 for the meaning of refuge. The happiness of feeling assured, when we come to die, that our time of dying is in the Lord's hand, must be... 2. Here we see “an object of dread,” “horror,” and “scorn.”. But then he acknowledges that Yahweh listened and heard when the psalmist called. 17 Let me not be disappointed, Yahweh, for I have called on you. It suggests secrecy, and thus suggests a secure retreat, a place where those who fear Yahweh and take refuge in him (v. 19) can find comfort and security from both adversaries and adversities. (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) If you blend in with the world, they don’t bother you. The word hasah means refuge or security or protection. Nowhere in the Old Testament is it described as a place of punishment. Redemption involves bringing liberty to a captive, usually through the payment of a price (a ransom). It can also provide a person a hiding place where his enemies cannot find him. SermonAudio.com - Psalm 31 Sermons. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief. Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you” (v. 22). In this instance, the psalmist is talking about untruthful slander, spread maliciously by his enemies and intended to defame him unfairly. His friends are avoiding him and treating him like a dead man (vv. Those who saw me on the street fled from me” (v. 11b). The psalms speak frequently of taking refuge in the Lord (2:12; 5:11; 7:1; 11:1; 14:6; etc.). Psalm 30 Psalm 31 Psalm 32. So it is with all the faithful. 6 I hate those who regard lying vanities, 1. ), which the WEB has updated. Love is the reason. 1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. As I am writing this, news reports are full of conspiracies and plotting of politicians against politicians. Psalm 28, Do not be silent before me . In the Song of Moses, Moses celebrated the fact that Israel’s enemies’ rock “is not like our Rock” (Deuteronomy 32:31). 12 I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man. The psalmist is feeling the effects of the slander that his enemies have spread against him. (Read Psalm 31:1-8) Faith and prayer must go together, for the prayer of faith is the prevailing prayer. But God sent help to David, so that he could go anywhere. Psalm 30, Lord Be My Helper. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006-2009), VanGemeren, Willem A. We usually use vanity to mean excessive pride, although it does have a secondary meaning of worthless or futile. Save me in your loving kindness” (Hebrew: hesed) (v. 16b). I am like broken pottery. Contributed by Larry Vollink on Dec 27, 2020. which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, which you have laid up for those who fear you, ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. The word ataq means arrogant or insolent. In using tob to describe Yahweh, the psalmist is ascribing those positive characteristics to him. His rod and staff comfort us. That word has to do with planning how to do something––in this case, how to destroy the psalmist’s life. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). 5 Into your hand I commend my spirit. A ma’oz is a refuge or fortress or stronghold. You have … 31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. We have to acknowledge how different these verses feel from verse 8, where the psalmist spoke of Yahweh’s lovingkindness. The Septuagint (the LXX, the Greek translation of the Old Testament) translates Sheol as Hades. But these are not the psalmist’s dying words. Download MP3 (Right click on the link and select "Save Link As") for you are my stronghold. This secondary meaning is close to the meaning of the Biblical hebel. Psalm 39:1-13 (31) Your browser does not support the audio element. Psalms 31. Paul speaks of “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Verse 4 speaks of people who have laid a net or set a trap for the psalmist, so it seems likely that the author is praying not to be disgraced by his enemies. 19 (Dallas: Word Books, 1983), DeClaisse-Walford, Nancy; Jacobson, Rolf A.; Tanner, Beth Laneel, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament:  The Book of Psalms (Grand Rapids:  Wm. Elsewhere the psalmist says, “Yahweh is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Plot is a good translation for zamam in this verse. Psalm 27, The Lord is my light Listen to this lesson MP3. The psalmist is saying that Yahweh is the one who will give his life a solid foundation––a foundation based on what is real and dependable rather than what would shift under his feet unexpectedly––a foundation on which he can base his life without fear of failure. Psalm 31 is one of three psalms that appear prominently in the story of Jesus' passion. In that situation, I asked for prayers from friends around the world, and they responded. The Paperback Bible presents the Bible by the Book and is designed to be portable, readable, and truly personal with ample margins for notations. It would seem that no such call would be necessary. We can look to police or a strong friend for protection. The psalmist doesn’t spell out what that will be, but we can guess. This is a Psalm of David. Some translations use the word idols to translate hebel, which reflects the belief “that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one” (1 Corinthians 8: 4; see also Jeremiah 10:3-5, 14-15; Daniel 5:23; Habakkuk 2:18). ‡|,sÜR‹Zı�nş¢÷ÄOå˜4½¨§òëܧ#ÔÜ_Œp gæÛ¿äV¾à«;M÷­ƒì8;~ˆ,‡z2´ Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my … 22 As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good or moral. hanan) on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress” (Hebrew: sarar) (v. 9a). “and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly” (v. 23c). When the psalmists says that Yahweh has known his soul, he is saying that Yahweh knows him wholly, completely, to the core of his being. Preachers call their hearers to look upon Jesus’ suffering through the eyes of faith. Psalm 26, I Have Walked in My Integrity Listen to this lesson MP3. They are moving on, but he is stuck in place––alone, lonely, isolated, and miserable. my years with sighing. EXPOSITION. 23 Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints! Register! C. There are great lessons for God's people in any generation I. Yahweh said, “They will call on my name, and I will hear them. Psalm 31:9-13 can be used to help people picture Jesus on the cross. 11 Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, An especially good piece of pottery would fetch a handsome price. before the sons of men! 9 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. Let the wicked be disappointed. and Kahane, Ahuvia, The Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 1998), Fohrer, Georg, Hebrew & Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament (SCM Press, 2012), Freedman, David Noel (ed. Jesus contrasts being “exalted to heaven” and “brought down to Hades” (Matthew 11:23), making clear that the former is much to be preferred. Back to Sermon on Psalm. and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly. But the psalmist seeks Yahweh to provide refuge, security, and protection. He feels surrounded by terror. The Hebrew word batah means “to feel secure” or “to have confidence in.”  Even in the face of deadly opposition, the psalmist reaches down to a place deep in his being where he finds a reservoir of faith. A major insurance company uses an image of the Rock of Gibraltar as its logo to promote the idea that it is strong and stable and can help in times of trouble. Reminding Yahweh that the psalmist’s fate is in Yahweh’s hands, the psalmist prays for deliverance from his enemies. RÆm¥¬Û_Á~jôõu|QßYÁÎnCÚõçßNıeì~§şíϧ¾;÷—¥û­³?ı»û¡º—Rcãb Scripture: Psalm 31:19. 18 Let the lying lips be mute, A large rock can offer refuge to someone being besieged by enemies. David gave up his soul in a special manner to God. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. Light and darkness are used in both Old and New Testaments as metaphors for good and evil––order and chaos––security and danger––joy and sorrow––truth and untruth––life and death––salvation and condemnation. Many people live their lives feeling trapped: (1) by enemies or (2) in a small space. We become anxious when we feel bound up or trapped. It carries the idea of brevity or insubstantial or without value. A Psalm by David. Verses 1-24. He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies. The small space could be a small town or remote place––or it could be the result of limited education or discrimination or poor choices. 16 Make your face to shine on your servant. After Moses encountered Yahweh on Mount Sinai, his face shone with the reflected glory of God (Exodus 34:29-35). 15 My times are in your hand. This is the verse that makes it appear that the psalmist’s adversity is an enemy who is threatening him. In the finally two verses of this psalm, David calls out to the saints to take action. He comes to a … You have set my feet in a large place. “Have mercy (Heb. “Deliver me in your righteousness” (Hebrew: sedaqah) (v. 1c). “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh” (v. 24). THIS psalm is, in the main, a cry for deliverance out of pressing danger and trouble; but it is interspersed with passages of a more cheerful tone, expressive of faith and confidence (Psalms 31:5-8, Psalms 31:14, Psalms 31:15); and it winds up with a eulogy of God's goodness (Psalms 31:19-22), and an exhortation to the saints of God to "be strong," and trust in … You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues” (v. 20b). The Hebrew word ruah means spirit, wind, or breath––much like the Greek word pneuma, used often in the New Testament, meaning spirit or wind. zj�hÕ Àxm=eÚËDj¡Ó@�øÏÇÏ//¾»ÿåÑõ×ëíQª1JHõå¼:é‘Í�òZ‹‚WaĞkŞ`lk�;cC†É½&¦xû¯?úøåS¤@I(½x>V$äúQ°¥ØXK/½»ö¸Lµ|ü‹Ôͧ¤ú¹µĞ¿L={ÖÁCZğzù/÷pmoH¡Ï ÑcD~/¤kZ­o(/(¦4»\0m.LËe.ˆÑæ„… [¨9ø6*5ÁõF^ «¦Ä}¿‚*ºW­ƒ²aîd€Cğ�NÅSLà¿ß%ŒÅ_aCÂ4dò¼Ñ¼¯ûmR±m©ŒÊ½—B*¯h)¶¥",dº9¿ˆÒ(¦>ñë‘OEUe¢E­…¡E-ÑF(’ğ‚¦#î�¿š>®Q0?º�)Ya‘B1=h›‘Q. Psalm 31 is also one of Jesus' prayers from the cross. Slander is an especially insidious sin, because it has the power to destroy a good person’s reputation––and because it is so difficult to defend oneself against slander. Deliver me speedily: “My case is urgent, Lord, for I am in deep distress. Yahweh’s presence provides the comfort and security that we all need. The word samar has a variety of meanings. 3 For you are my rock and my fortress, LESSONS FROM PSALMS THIRTY-ONE Scripture: Psalm 31:1-24 Ray O. Brooks Introduction: A. No wonder he is despairing and depressed! (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. The word padah means ransom, redeem, or deliver. They know the danger posed by his enemies, so have written him off as dead. 5, our Lord Jesus yielded up his last breath on the cross, and made his soul a free-will offering for sin, laying down his life as a ransom. For the most part, the Old Testament holds out no promise of an afterlife or resurrection. Psalm 31 Meaning Psalm 31 14 15 Commentary 14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. He chose Israel and then remained in steadfast relationship with Israel through thick and thin. The psalmist regards The psalmist regards Yahweh as the place where he can find refuge. I slept well most nights. Don't have an account? Because he is in distress (v. 9a), the psalmist is consumed by anger. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me. Praising God. “Let me not be disappointed” (Hebrew: bos) (v. 17a). Let them be silent in Sheol. It is in fact possible that Jesus recited the entire psalm or at least longer parts of it, with Luke reporting only this verse. The word seter means hiding place. In this psalm, he has moved from pole to pole and back again––pleading for deliverance, affirming great faith, acknowledging his distress, and asserting his faith in Yahweh’s goodness. Psalm 31, Lord, Be My Fortress. “Yahweh, for I have called on you” (v. 17b). You have known my soul (Hebrew: nepes) in adversities” (Hebrew: sarah) (v. 7b). Yahweh is faithful. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, says the Lord Yahweh, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:22-23). That’s the kind of suffering that the psalmist described in verses 11-13. On the other hand, Yahweh repays the arrogant––gives them their due. vs. 9-13 A. But that would move them into the danger zone that surrounds him, and they cannot muster the courage to do that. | 96 views. for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city. which you have laid up for those who fear you, The faith expressed here is that we can trust the Lord, who is both benevolent and powerful. Save me in your loving kindness. We can seek security in money or the things money can buy. Stoop down out of thy glory to catch the faint accents of my sorrowing, almost expiring spirit.” Psalms 31:2. “Into your hand I commend my spirit” (Hebrew: ruah) (v. 5a). What Psalm 31 means. Verses 1-18 are a prayer. which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt. 31. “Yahweh, God of truth” (Hebrew: emet) (v. 5b). The meaning of Sheol is somewhat uncertain. all you who hope in Yahweh. 11-12). Series. Truth (emet) is that which is real, dependable, stable––that which a person can count on. Jun 27, 2012. If the shining of light is considered a blessing, which it is, the shining of Yahweh’s face is a much greater blessing. The word hesed has a variety of meanings ––lovingkindness, mercy, or faithfulness. We can seek refuge in our home––behind locked doors––under the covers of our bed. Job: Paul. It is Yahweh himself. Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). It’s a nasty game. 1  (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2012), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006), Baker, Warren (ed. “You redeem (Hebrew: padah) me” (v. 5a). Verses 19-24 express praise and thanksgiving. Psalms 31:2. They speak of seeking refuge under Yahweh’s wings (17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 63:7; 91:4), as if Yahweh were the mother hen and they were the chicks. The enemies of the world. 3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for … “In the shelter (Hebrew: seter) of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man” (v. 20a). In the following verses David tells the glorious story of one who suffers wrongfully for the Saviour’s sake. The word dibbah means any negative report, truthful or not. This thirty-first psalm is actually divided into three sections. My bones are wasted away. David believed that God did this because "of your name" (Psalm 31:3). The psalmist’s friends and neighbors no longer have room in their hearts for him. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. The New Testament presents Jesus’ death on the cross as a redemptive act for humanity––as a “ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). a. God is in the covenant relationship for the long term. They are similar in meaning, and intended to reinforce each other. “Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently (Hebrew:  ataq), with pride and contempt” (v. 18). “Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints!” (Hebrew: hasid) (v. 23a). So pray we all. Like the Greek word, agape (love), in the New Testament, hesed (loving kindness)  is a word that involves action––expressed through kind or loving actions rather than just feelings. A master potter was an artist whose work was prized for its beauty. But the psalmist doesn’t feel trapped. “Praise be to Yahweh, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) in a strong city” (Hebrew: masor) (v. 21). Both David’s times and ours are marked by instability.