This is the Psalm of a man who has suffered deeply for his faith, is facing persecution, and is yet quietly confident in God. He opens the Psalm by committing himself to God for deliverance (Psalms 31:1 a), and then calls on Him to be his refuge and stronghold, and to deliver him from his adversarie... [ Continue Reading ]
. ‘In you, O YHWH, do I take refuge, Let me never be put to shame, Deliver me in your righteousness. The Psalmist opens by affirming his confidence in YHWH, and asking Him to be his refuge. He then asks that He will never have to face the shame that would result if God did not act as his refuge,... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Bow down your ear to me' Deliver me speedily. Be you to me a strong rock, A house of defence to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress, Therefore for your name's sake lead me and guide me. Pluck me out of the net that they have laid privily for me, For you are my stronghold. He now ca... [ Continue Reading ]
Into your hand I commend my spirit, You have redeemed me, O YHWH, you God of truth. I hate those who regard lying vanities (false idols), But I trust in YHWH. With that in mind he commends his spirit to God because he knows that it is YHWH the God of truth Who has redeemed him. God has, as it wer... [ Continue Reading ]
I will be glad and rejoice in your covenant love, For you have seen my affliction, You have known my soul in adversities, And you have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy, You have set my feet in a large place. And as a result of trusting in YHWH he is filled with gladness and rejoicing a... [ Continue Reading ]
Have mercy on me, O YHWH, For I am in distress, My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body. For my life is spent with sorrow, And my years with sighing, My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones are wasted away. But suddenly his expression of confidence cease to be... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Because of all my adversaries I am become a reproach, Yes, to my neighbours exceedingly, And a fear to my acquaintance. Those who saw me out of doors fled from me. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind, I am like a broken vessel. For I have heard the defaming of many, Terror on every side... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But I trusted in you, O YHWH, I said, You are my God. My times are in your hand, Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. But in spite of all his troubles he is triumphant. He has gritted his teeth, trusted in YHWH, and reminded Him that He is his God, and now h... [ Continue Reading ]
Make your face to shine on your servant, Save me in your covenant love. Let me not be put to shame, O YHWH, For I have called on you, Let the wicked be put to shame, Let them be silent in Sheol. Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak against the righteous insolently, With pride and contempt... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Oh how great is your goodness, Which you have laid up for those who fear you, Which you have wrought for those who take refuge in you, Before the sons of men!' In the covert of your presence will you hide them, From the plottings of man, You will keep them secretly in a pavilion, From the st... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed be YHWH, For he has shown me his marvellous covenant love in a strong city. As for me, I said in my haste, I am cut off from before your eyes, Nevertheless you heard the voice of my supplications, When I cried to you.' So he blesses YHWH who has revealed His marvellous covenant love to... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Oh love YHWH, all you his holy ones, YHWH preserves those who are faithful, And plentifully rewards him who deals arrogantly. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in YHWH.' The Psalm finally closes with a cry to all God's people, His ‘holy ones', to love Him truly, and... [ Continue Reading ]