Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 31:14
But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my God.
14. Render:
But as for me, on thee do I trust O Lord:
I have said, &c.
Men turn from him, but he turns to God. Cp. Psa 31:6; Psa 16:2; Psa 140:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But I trust in thee, O Lord – In these times of trial – when Psa 31:9 his eye was consumed with grief; when Psa 31:10 his years were spent with sighing, his strength failed, and his bones were consumed; when Psa 31:11 he was a reproach among his neighbors, and dreaded by his acquaintances; when Psa 31:12 he was forgotten as a dead man; and when Psa 31:13 he was surrounded with causes of alarm. Then he trusted in God. His confidence did not fail. He believed that God was his Father and Friend; that He was on the throne; that He could protect and defend him; and he left himself and his cause with Him. In such circumstances as these there is no other sure refuge but God; at such times the strength of faith is shown, and then is seen pre-eminently the power and value of religion.
I said, Thou art my God – Thou art all that is implied in the name God; and thou art mine. He felt assured that God would not forsake him, though men did; that he might confide in Him, though his earthly friends all turned away. There is always one (God) who will not leave or forsake us; and the friendship and favor of that One is of more value to us than that of all other beings in the universe combined.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. But I trusted in thee] Hitherto thou hast been my Helper, and thou art my God; I have taken thee for my eternal portion.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Mine by paternal relation, and care, and affection, and by thy promise or covenant made with me.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14-18. In his profession oftrust he includes the terms of the prayer expressing it.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But I trusted in thee, O Lord,…. His faith revived again under all the discouraging views he had of things, and was exercised upon the Lord; he committed himself to him, believing he was able to help him in his time of trouble, and deliver him;
I said, thou [art] my God; he claimed his covenant interest in him, and used it as an argument with him to have regard unto him, and as a support to his faith in his present distress; [See comments on Ps 7:1].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(Heb.: 31:15-19) But, although a curse of the world and an offscouring of all people, he is confident in God, his Deliverer and Avenger. By prominence is given to the subject by way of contrast, as in Psa 31:7. It appears as though Jahve had given him up in His anger; but he confides in Him, and in spite of this appearance, he even confides in Him with the prayer of appropriating faith. or (1Ch 29:30) are the appointed events and circumstances, the vicissitudes of human life; like the Arabic ‘idat (like from ), the appointed rewards and punishments. The times, with whatsoever they bring with them, are in the Lord’s hand, every lot is of His appointment or sending. The Vulgate follows the lxx, in manibus tuis sortes meae . The petitions of Psa 31:16, Psa 31:17, spring from this consciousness that the almighty and faithful hand of God has mould his life. There are three petitions; the middle one is an echo of the Aaronitish blessing in Num 6:25. , which gives the ground of his hope that he shall not be put to shame (cf. Psa 31:2), is to be understood like in Psa 31:15, according to Ges. 126, 3. The expression of the ground for , favours the explanation of it not so much as the language of petition (let me not be ashamed) of as hope. The futures which follow might be none the less regarded as optatives, but the order of the words does not require this. And we prefer to take them as expressing hope, so that the three petitions in Psa 31:16, Psa 31:17, correspond to the three hopes in Psa 31:18, Psa 31:19. He will not be ashamed, but the wicked shall be ashamed and silenced for ever. The form , from , is, as in Jer 8:14, the plural of the fut. Kal , with the doubling of the first radical, which is customary in Aramaic (other examples of which we have in , , ), not of the fut. Niph. , the plural of which would be , as in 1Sa 2:9; conticescere in orcum is equivalent to: to be silent, i.e., being made powerless to fall a prey to hades. It is only in accordance with the connection, that in this instance , Psa 31:19, just like , denotes that which is forcibly laid upon them by the judicial intervention of God: all lying lips shall be dumb, i.e., made dumb. prop. that which is unrestrained, free, insolent (cf. Arabic ‘atik , ‘atk , unrestrained, free
(Note: But these Arabic words do not pass over into the signification “insolent.”))
is the accusative of the object, as in Psa 94:4, and as it is the nominative of the subject in 1Sa 2:3.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
14. Yet have I trusted in thee, O Jehovah! The rendering properly is, And I have trusted in thee; but the Hebrew copulative particle ו, vau, and, is used here instead of the adversative particle yet, or nevertheless. David, setting the steadfastness of his faith in opposition to the assaults of the temptations of which he has made mention, denies that he had ever fainted, but rather maintains, on the contrary, that he stood firm in his hope of deliverance from God. Nor does this imply that he boasted of being so magnanimous and courageous that he could not be overthrown through the infirmity of the flesh. However contrary to one another they appear, yet these things are often joined together, as they ought to be, in the same person, namely, that while he pines away with grief, and is deprived of all strength, he is nevertheless supported by so strong a hope that he ceases not to call upon God. David, therefore, was not so overwhelmed in deep sorrow, and other direful sufferings, as that the hidden light of faith could not shine inwardly in his heart; nor did he groan so much under the weighty load of his temptations, as to be prevented from arousing himself to call upon God. He struggled through many obstacles to be able to make the confession which he here makes. He next defines the manner of his faith, namely, that he reflected with himself thus that God would never fail him nor forsake him. Let us mark his manner of speech: I have said, Thou art my God In these words he intimates that he was so entirely persuaded of this truth, that God was his God, that he would not admit even a suggestion to the contrary. And until this persuasion prevails so as to take possession of our minds, we shall always waver in uncertainty. It is, however, to be observed, that this declaration is not only inward and secret – made rather in the heart than with the tongue – but that it is directed to God himself, as to him who is the alone witness of it. Nothing is more difficult, when we see our faith derided by the whole world, than to direct our speech to God only, and to rest satisfied with this testimony which our conscience gives us, that he is our God. And certainly it is an undoubted proof of genuine faith, when, however fierce the waves are which beat against us, and however sore the assaults by which we are shaken, we hold fast this as a fixed principle, that we are constantly under the protection of God, and can say to him freely, Thou art our God.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) But I.Emphatic, in contrast to the pretended panic and in spite of the real dangers around him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. This, and the four following verses, are a confession of trust. Without a plan for the future, or means to cope with his enemies, he is satisfied to say, Thou art my God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘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 he stresses that his times are in His hands. He has no doubt of God’s care over him and of His final control. And so again he prays for deliverance from his enemies, and from his persecutors.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Confidence and Triumph of Faith
v. 14. But I trusted in Thee, O Lord, v. 15. My times, v. 16. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, v. 17. Let me not be ashamed, O Lord, v. 18. Let the lying lips be put to silence, v. 19. Oh, how great is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up, v. 20. Thou shalt hide them, v. 21. Blessed be the Lord; for He hath showed me His marvelous kindness, v. 22. For I said in my haste, v. 23. O love the Lord, all ye His saints, v. 24. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Nothing can be more lovely, as a token of the unequalled humility of Christ, than the very frequent mention he makes of being the servant of Jehovah. And nothing can be more highly satisfactory to his redeemed, than beholding him as their surety in that character. Jehovah pointed him out to the church as such. Isa 42:1 . Under the law he was most strikingly represented to come as such. Exo 21:5 . And in the gospel, the Apostle introduces the Lord Jesus, though Lord of all, yet making himself of no reputation, and taking upon him the form of a servant. Phi 2:6-11 . Reader, would you wish to add to these scriptures the Lord Christ’s account of himself, and to behold also one lovely view of his unequalled humility, as the servant of his redeemed also; turn to these two passages, Luk 22:27 ; Joh 13:3-14 , While we view Christ in those scriptures, as especially referring to him, we may by faith, from our interest in him, take the comfort of them also to ourselves. Reader, think what a blessed thing it is, when, from our union with Christ, we can also say, I trusted in thee, O Lord; I said thou art my God; my times are in thy hands. Oh, with what composure may we refer all things, and all times, and all events, into his almighty hands, who is our covenant God and Father in Christ Jesus; times of sickness, times of health, times of trouble, times of joy, life, death, all and every event, for time, and for eternity. Oh, the blessedness of thus having God for our portion!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 31:14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my God.
Ver. 14. But I trusted in thee, O Lord ] In this distress I acted my faith upon thy power and promises; this was right, and that which God aimed at; for we can no way more honour him. Hence it is that he is very jealous of our trust; neither can he endure that any idol of jealousy should be set up in our hearts.
I said, Thou art my God
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 31:14-18
14But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, You are my God.
15My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.
16Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
Save me in Your lovingkindness.
17Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call upon You;
Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol.
18Let the lying lips be mute,
Which speak arrogantly against the righteous
With pride and contempt.
Psa 31:14-18 This strophe has numerous emphatic prayer requests based on
1. the psalmist’s trust in YHWH (Qal perfect, cf. Psa 31:6), Psa 31:14
2. YHWH is his God, Psa 31:14
3. his life is in YHWH’s hand, Psa 31:15
Here are the requests.
1. deliver me BDB 664, KB 717, Hiphil imperative, cf. Psa 7:2; Psa 18:17; Psa 22:20; Psa 31:2; Psa 39:8; Psa 51:14; Psa 59:1; Psa 69:14; Psa 109:21; Psa 119:170; Psa 120:2; Psa 142:6; Psa 143:9; Psa 144:7; Psa 144:11; this is the cry of the faithful follower’s heart, deliverance from the spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of life in a fallen world
2. make Your face shine on me BDB 21, KB 24, Hiphil imperative, cf. Num 6:25-26; Psa 4:6; Psa 67:1; Psa 80:3; Psa 80:7; Psa 80:19; Psa 119:135
3. save me in Your lovingkidness BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil imperative, many times in the Psalms
4. let me not be put to shame BDB 101, KB 116, Qal cohortative
5. let the wicked be put to shame BDB 101, KB 116, Qal imperfect used in a jussive sense
6. let them be silent in Sheol BDB 198, KB 226, Qal imperfect used in a jussive sense
7. let the lying lips be dumb BDB 47, KB 57, Niphal imperfect used in a jussive sense
Psa 31:15 My times are in Your hand Faithful followers believe that time and eternity are in God’s foreknowledge and control. Nothing surprises Him (cf. Job 14:5; Job 14:16; Job 28:24; Job 31:4; Job 34:21; Psa 139:1-16, esp. Psa 31:16).
Psa 31:17 Notice the contrast.
1. the psalmist speaks to God
2-3. the wicked are silent (i.e., dead) or else they speak arrogantly with pride and contempt
You can know people by what they say (cf. Mat 12:35-37). The tongue reveals the heart!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 31:14-18
Psa 31:14-18
FURTHER CRIES TO GOD FOR HELP
“But I trusted in thee, O Jehovah:
I said, Thou art my God.
My times are in thy hand:
Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant:
Save me in thy lovingkindness.
Let me not be put to shame, O Jehovah; for I have called upon thee:
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.”
When everything goes wrong, when all of our dreams come crashing down around us, when friends and neighbors shun and forsake us, when even the consciousness of our sins presses heavily upon our conscience, what is to be done? These verses are the answer. “Cry mightily unto God; lift up thy penitent voice unto Him, pour out thy soul to the Father in prayer,” as “The man after God’s own heart” did here.
“Make thy face to shine upon thy servant” (Psa 31:16). This statement is evidently inspired by Num 6:25, commonly referred to as Aaron’s blessing. The full text of this passage in Numbers, one of the most precious in all the Bible, has been set to music and sung by Christians all over the world continually.
The Psalms have several quotations from this Aaronic blessing Psa 4:6; Psa 67:1; Psa 80:5; Psa 80:7; Psa 80:19; and Psa 119:135. In this light it is impossible not to see the five books of Moses as being far older than the Psalms.
“Let the wicked be put to shame” (Psa 31:17). We have no respect for commentators who deplore what they call the imprecatory psalms, where prayers are offered for the frustration and destruction of the wicked. God Himself has revealed to us through the apostle John that even in heaven, the redeemed martyrs are offering that very kind of prayers (Rev 6:10).
The conception of our Lord Jesus Christ as a kind of namby-pamby, do-gooder who never would hurt anybody, no matter how wicked they are, is false. Did not our Lord himself say, “But these mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me” (Luk 19:27)? There are certain preachers whom I would like to hear expound on that text!
Leupold properly discerned that, “To pray for the overthrow or the just punishment of the wicked is not wicked.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 31:14. David never lost his faith in God, although he was very much concerned many times about what was going to be the next move of his enemies.
Psa 31:15. Times are in thy hand means he was in the hand of the Lord at all times. On that basis David felt he had the privilege of calling on Him for deliverance.
Psa 31:16. Face to shine denotes that David wanted the face of God to be favorable toward him. The attribute of the Lord that would prompt him to help was his mercy.
Psa 31:17. Ashamed occurs very frequently in the Bible. It has a varied meaning, but we would not go wrong were we always to think of it as meaning to be confused, disappointed or humbled. This will explain why David used the word twice in this verse; once about himself and once about his enemies. Silent in the grave was David’s way of wishing the destruction of his enemies.
Psa 31:18. All lying should be condemned, but the kind that David had in mind here was grievous. That is from a word that means hard or cruel. The foes of David not only wished him harm, but were eager to make his life as miserable as possible.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Jehovah Preserveth the Faithful
Psa 31:14-24
What a change ensues in the spirit of our life when we look from men and things to God! Do not look at God through circumstances, but at circumstances through Gods environing presence, as through a golden haze. Our Lords times were in the hands of the Father, and He would not move an inch until the clock had struck in heaven, Joh 2:4; Joh 7:6; Joh 7:8; Joh 7:30; Joh 8:20.
As God hath laid up coal and ore in the earth; and as explorers in Arctic regions deposit provisions in cairns, that those who follow in their steps, or they themselves returning, may be supplied on their march, so unsearchable riches are stored in Christ awaiting our appropriation, 2Pe 1:3.
What a hiding-place is the secret of His presence! Have you ever been inside that royal withdrawing-room? Gods pavilion is sound-tight; the strife of tongues cannot penetrate.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Thou: Psa 16:1, Psa 16:2, Psa 18:2, Psa 22:1, Psa 22:2, Psa 43:5, Psa 56:3, Psa 56:4, Psa 63:1, Psa 71:12, Psa 71:22, Mat 26:39, Mat 26:42, Mat 27:46, Joh 20:17
Reciprocal: Psa 11:1 – In the Psa 26:1 – trusted Psa 48:14 – this God Psa 140:6 – I said unto Psa 143:10 – for thou art Dan 2:21 – he changeth Dan 6:22 – My God Hos 9:17 – My God
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 31:14-17. I said, Thou art my God Mine by paternal relation, and care, and affection, and by thy promise, or covenant, made with me. My times are in thy hand The time of my life, how long I shall live; or, all the affairs and events of my life are wholly in thy power, to dispose and order as thou seest fit; and not at all in the power of mine enemies, who can do nothing against me, unless it be given them from above. They can no more dispose of my life at their pleasure than I can appoint the time of my deliverance. This I leave to thy wisdom, O Lord, to whom it belongs. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant Manifest thy love and favour to me, by answering my prayers and delivering me from mine enemies. For I have called upon thee And therefore thy honour will be eclipsed in my disappointment, and it will seem as though thou didst not hear prayer, nor keep thy promises, nor make any difference between the righteous and the wicked. Let the wicked be ashamed Frustrated in their wicked designs and carnal confidences. Let them be silent in the grave Seeing they are implacable in their malice against innocent and good men, do thou cut them off by thy just judgment; and since either the righteous or the wicked must be cut off, let destruction fall upon them who most deserve it.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
31:14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, {k} Thou [art] my God.
(k) I had this testimony of conscience, that you would defend my innocence.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
4. David’s prayer for deliverance 31:14-18
Reaffirming his trust in the Lord, David called on Him to silence his enemies and to save him from their hateful hands. He asked God to shut their slanderous mouths also.