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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Psalm Chapter 31

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: David, Asaph, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, Moses, and the Sons of Korah
Date Penned: (1440-586 BC)
Overview: Poetry for the Expression of Praise and Worship to God (c 1-150)
Theme: The First Book of Psalms (c 1-41)
Message: Depending on God in Times of Stress (v 1-24)

Psalms 31 Commentary

( 31:1) Do We Trust the Lord - We say we have faith in God, but do we really trust him? David's words, "Into thine hand I commit my spirit," convey his complete trust in God. Jesus used this phrase as he was dying on the cross, showing his absolute dependence on God the Father (Luke 23:46). Stephen repeated these words as he was being stoned to death (Acts 7:59), confident that in death he was simply passing from God's earthly care to God's eternal care. We should commit our possessions, our families, and our vocations to God. But first and foremost, we should commit ourselves completely to him. 31 David called on the Lord to rescue him. He wanted God to stop those who were unjustly causing trouble. Therefore, David made his request based upon what he knew of God's name, or character. Because God is righteous and loving, he desires to deliver his people. 


(31:6) Idol Worship - The "lying vanities were false gods, or idols. Why did David suddenly bring up the subject of idol worship? He wanted to contrast his total devotion to God with the diluted worship offered by many Israelites. Pagan religious rituals were never completely banished from Israel and Judah, despite the efforts of David and a few other kings. Obviously those who cling to idols cannot commit their spirits fully into God's hands. When we put today's idols (wealth, material possessions, success) first in our lives, we cannot expect God's Spirit to guide and protect us. If God is to be our highest authority, he requires our first and complete allegiance. 


(31:9-13) Rejection - In these verses, David describes the helplessness and hopelessness everyone feels when hated or rejected. But adversity is easier to accept when we recognize our true relationship with the sovereign God 


(31:14-18) Victory - Although our enemies may seem to have the upper hand, they are ultimately the helpless and hopeless ones. Those who know God will be victorious in the end (31:23). We can have courage today because God will preserve us. 


(31:14-15) God is in Control - In saying "My times are in thy hand," David was expressing his belief that all of life's circumstances are under God's control. Knowing that God loves and cares for us enables us to keep steady in our faith regardless of our circumstances. It keeps us from sinning foolishly by taking matters into our own hands or resenting God's timetable.



Dave Burnette's Life Application

No Need to Worry



Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Psalm with Chapter 31. In our text today we see a theme of our need to depend upon God in times of stress with our complete commitment that God will meet our needs. Again Faith is a key component for our peace of mind. In making application we see that the Lord is in control no matter what we belive but our stress, joy, and peace are dependent on our faith in what God is doing in our lives. Many times we worry about what we will eat or how will we pay for our needs when the Lord has His plan in motion to accomplish these things. Our lack of faith that He will meet our needs causes stress that He never intended us experience. How about you? Do you worry about things that He will provide for you? Let us learn from our Psalm and text today to remember to trust the Lord and His Promises as obedient Children of God we need not worry but simply have faith for Him to meet our needs.

 

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Psalm 31

Psalm 31

 1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

 2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

 3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

 4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

 5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

 6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

 7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

 8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

 9Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

 10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

 11I 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.

 12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

 13For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

 14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

 15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

 16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

 17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

 18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

 19Oh 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!

 20Thou 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.

 21Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

 22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

 23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

 24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.