Psalm 31
Isaac Johnston • November 25, 2020
God's Protection in Adversity
David begins his cry to God by first stating that his confidence is in the LORD. He asks God to hear his prayer, begging Him to “bow down His ear.” As a good father will stoop down and listen to his children, so God stoops down to hear us, His children. Through his description of God’s protective nature, it is clear that David places great confidence in God. He commits his spirit into God’s hand, acknowledging and resting in His complete control over whether David lives or dies.
In the middle of the Psalm, David begins to describe the hardships that he is facing. He is honest with the Lord, admitting his grief and weakness. The enemies that are persecuting David are doing so with their mouths. Through slander, they have made him a reproach or laughing stock among his own people. Those closest to him flee to avoid being associated with him.
The attention of David’s heart turns from his great troubles to his great God. No matter what may come his way, nothing happens outside of God’s control. The psalmist remembers the goodness of God toward His people. He will be safe with the Lord. The despair that he felt in the moment of hardship was rash and unfounded, because God heard David’s prayer.
Finally, we, the readers of this Psalm, are directly challenged to love the LORD. We are to love Him on account of His providence toward us, and His just punishment for the wicked. Those of us that hope in the Lord God have every reason to be of good courage and of a strong heart in the midst of adversity.
Deeper Study
- v. 3 - How is it that David compares God’s protection to a rock? Is this picture used in other places in Scripture?
- v. 8 - David rejoices that God has set his feet in a large room. In other places this phrase is translated “large place.” What is the significance of this phrase?
Discussion Questions
- v. 12 - Have you ever felt like “a dead man out of mind?” As though everyone had forgotten who you were and what you had done? How does God’s care for us in our hard times give us comfort?
- vv. 19, 20 - David sings of the “great goodness” that God has “laid up” for those that fear Him. What are some of those good things?
Application
In the face of slander and persecution, David trusted in God. He said, “My times are in thy hand” (vv. 13-15). When we are faced with persecution, bullying, etc., can we also claim that our times are in the hand of God? How should this change our perspective of the situation?
