Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 31:21
Blessed [be] the LORD: for he hath showed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
21. Blessed be the Lord ] Cp. Psa 28:6.
he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness ] Lit. he hath made marvellous his lovingkindness to me, as in Psa 17:7.
in a strong city ] Either, as in a strong city, putting me out of the reach of my enemies as it were in a fortified city; or, as a strong city, proving Himself my fortress ( Psa 31:2-3). The words may also mean in a besieged city, which might be taken as a metaphor for trouble generally. Some commentators understand the words literally of David’s escape from Keilah, or of his establishment in Ziklag; or of Jeremiah in Jerusalem during the siege.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
21, 22. Thanksgiving: but is it for deliverance anticipated by faith or for deliverance already experienced? Surely the latter.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Blessed be the Lord – An expression of thanksgiving for the evidence that God had heard him in his troubles, and had answered him.
For he hath showed me his marvelous kindness – literally, He has made his mercy wonderful; that is, he has showed me such mercy as to be an object of admiration and astonishment. It was not ordinary kindness, such as is shown to people every day; it was so uncommon – so far beyond all expectation – so separate from second causes and the agency of man – so marked in its character – as to fill the mind with wonder.
In a strong city – Margin, fenced city. This may mean either that he had thus placed him literally in a strongly fortified city where he was safe from the fear of his enemies; or, that he had interposed in his behalf, and had given him protection as if he had brought him into such a strongly fortified place. Jarchi supposes that the city of Keilah 1Sa 23:7 is here intended. But this is improbable. All that the passage necessarily implies is, that God had given him protection as if he had been placed in a strongly fortified town where he would be safe from danger.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 21. In a strong city.] If this Psalm was written by David, this must refer to his taking refuge with Achish, king of Gath, who gave him Ziklag, a fortified city, to secure himself and followers in. See 1Sa 27:6. This is more likely than that it was Keilah, where he only had intimation of the traitorous design of the inhabitants to deliver him up to Saul; so that the place was no refuge to him, howsoever fortified. Perhaps the passage may mean that, under the protection of God, he was as safe as if he had been in a fortified city.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
To wit, in Keilah; where God wonderfully preserved me; of which see 1Sa 23:7. Others, as
in a strong city. He hath kept me as safe in woods and caves, as if I had been in a fenced city.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19-21. God displays openly Hispurposed goodness to His people.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Blessed [be] the Lord,…. A form of thanksgiving, in which the psalmist calls upon himself and others to bless and praise the Lord for the singular mercy granted him, expressed in the next clause;
[See comments on Ps 18:46];
for he hath showed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city; either in the city Keilah, so Jarchi; a city which had gates and bars, where Saul thought he had David safe, and he could not escape his hands; but notwithstanding that, and though the inhabitants of that place intended to deliver him up, yet he was marvellously saved; as he also was from the Ziphites; and when Saul and his army had encompassed him about, by a surprising incident, a messenger coming to Saul just as he was about to seize him, informing him that the Philistines had invaded the land,
1Sa 23:7. Or the city of Jerusalem, which was fortified both by nature and art, whither he was brought and placed as king, and enjoyed rest from all his enemies round about him, 2Sa 5:6. Or this may spiritually design the church of God, which is called a strong city, being built on Christ the Rock, and having salvation for walls and bulwarks, Isa 26:1: where the Lord displays his banner of love, makes discoveries of his marvellous kindness, and commands his blessing for evermore. Some render it “as in a strong city” g, and take the sense to be, that he was safe, through the kindness of God showed to him in the salvation of him, as if he was in a fortified city h, and this was marvellous in his eyes, as every instance of providential goodness is to the people of God; especially his lovingkindness showed in spiritual things, in choosing them in Christ, saving them by him, regenerating them by his Spirit, and taking them into his family; which love is free and sovereign, distinguishing, unchangeable, from everlasting to everlasting; and so wonderful and astonishing; and which was hid in God until revealed; and sometimes the manifestations of it are withdrawn, and then it is showed again, and fresh discoveries of it are made, and effects of it applied, and the blessings of it bestowed, which occasion thankfulness.
g “ut in civitate munita”, Junius Tremellius, Piscator Michaelis. h Aben Ezra, Kimchi, & Ben Melech in loc.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
21. Blessed be Jehovah! These general truths the Psalmist here proceeds to apply to his own circumstances, and he declares that the goodness of God in preserving his life was wondrously displayed. As he speaks of aid which had been suddenly and unexpectedly afforded him in very desperate circumstances, those interpreters judge aright who here supply as, the mark of similitude, (653) in this way, as in a fortified city David lay open to every blow, and had been exposed to every sort of injury, and he boasts that in his nakedness and destitution the assistance of God had been of greater service to him than a city well fortified, or an impregnable fortress would have been.
(653) “The particle of similitude is wanting in Hebrew, as is not uncommon. The intention of the Psalmist is evidently to describe by a metaphor his signal deliverance, as if he had been guarded by invincible fortifications.” — Walford.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(21) Shewed me his marvellous kindness . . .Better, made his kindness distinguished or manifest, referring to Psa. 31:19.
In a strong city.Some see a reference to Davids adventures at Ziklag or Keilah; others to Jeremiahs in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 38). It is, however, better to regard it merely as a general image of the Divine protection.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21, 22. Strong city Fenced city, namely, Keilah. See 1Sa 23:7.
I said in my haste Literally, in my flight. The word properly signifies this, though figuratively it means also trepidation, astonishment, fear, because in such cases the mind is suddenly removed from its normal or proper place. So the Septuagint , where, also, the root idea is removal, turning from, and this, probably, suggested the Greek title. See note on title, also on Psa 116:11, and compare 1Sa 23:13, and the use of the word 1Sa 23:26; also 2Sa 4:4; 2Ki 7:15; Psa 48:5. Nevertheless thou heardest, etc. Though his sudden flight and trepidation had extorted the despairing lament, I am cut off from before thine eyes, yet he found God to be not the less a prayer answering God, which he here gratefully confesses.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
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 towards him ‘in a strong city’ where he can be safe, and that in spite of the fact that in his desperate haste he had said, ‘I am cut off from before your eyes’. For YHWH had graciously ignored his despair, and had heard the voice of his supplication.
The strong city may be Jerusalem, and this may therefore refer to David having come through all his trouble to find himself now established in the stronghold of Jerusalem, or alternatively it may be indicating that God Himself is a strong city for those who trust in Him.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Psa 31:21. He hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city Nudge renders it, agreeably to his idea of the author and occasion of the psalm, a besieged city; as that seems to be a scene more adapted for the manifestation of kindness than a strong one; and Jeremiah was fed with a certain portion from the king during the siege. Others, however, who think the composition to be David’s, suppose that the place refers to David’s situation in Keilah; where when he consulted God whether the inhabitants would deliver him up, God shewed him distinguished kindness in revealing to him their intended treachery. 1Sa 23:12. Mudge renders the next clause, Psa 31:22. For I had said in my hurry; and Green, I said indeed, in my flight; i.e. when Saul pursued him in the wilderness of Maon, after he had escaped from Keilah.
REFLECTIONS.1st, The greater of our trials need not discourage us, while we have a great God to support us: to him David has recourse in all his needs.
1. As usual, he opens with earnest and importunate prayer. All his help and hope came from above; thither, therefore, he directs his supplications.
2. He professes his fixed dependance upon God. In thee do I put my trust; not in my own righteousness, as deserving aught at thy hands; not in my own wisdom, as able to extricate myself; not in my own strength, as sufficient to support me; but in thy wisdom, righteousness, and strength, as my only refuge; for thou art my rock, fixed and immoveable, and my fortress, impregnable and secure: thou art my strength, to work for me and in me; and therefore into thine hand I commit my spirit, to be preserved in life, amid surrounding dangers; to be kept from evil, amid the snares which are laid for me; and to be secured for eternity, however thy providence may dispose of me here below: thou hast redeemed me, rescued my body from many a danger, and by atoning blood delivered my soul from hell, O Lord God of truth, whose promises I have ever experienced to be faithful and sure. Note; (1.) They who have God for their rock, need not fear whosoever are their foes. (2.) If our spirits are safe lodged in the arms of Jesus, we may quietly wait the issue of every affliction, and know that the end will be peace. (3.) The more we are enabled to trust in God’s promise, the stronger testimony we bear to his faithfulness.
3. He renounces all connection with idols, and all recourse to those vanities in his distresses; he hated the ways of all their worshippers, and cleaved to Jehovah alone. Note; God is an all-sufficient portion; we need look for nothing more to make us safe and happy.
4. He rejoices in the mercy of his gracious God. His troubles God had considered with tenderest compassion; and in adversities known his soul, approved his temper, and visited him with notices of kind regard. Escaped from the spot where he was in danger, he enjoys now a happy deliverance, and walks at large with no foe to molest him. Note; (1.) Mercies deserve a constant return of praise. (2.) Our spirit and temper in time of trouble, will best shew our state towards God. (3.) It is the comfort of God’s people in every state, that he knows their simplicity, and regards them with his favour.
The words in the beginning of the 5th verse, being used by our divine Lord on the cross, may well support us in applying the whole to him; whose prayer in trouble, unshaken dependance on God, deliverance from adversity, and exaltation above his enemies, were infinitely more distinguished than those of his illustrious progenitor.
2nd, Swift as Job’s messengers of evil are the returns of trouble, and therefore call for as repeated application to the God of all grace.
1. David spreads before God his bitter sorrows; with constant tears his eyes grew dim, his appetite failed him, his strength decayed, his very bones wasted; and his soul, in equal anguish with his body, was ready to sink under its burdens; and this by reason of his iniquity. His other trials were light, compared with these: in all his sufferings from man, he had his integrity to comfort him; but here he stood self-condemned, and owns his afflictions less than his iniquity deserved: his former companions, who should comfort him, now desert him; all his past kindness to them is forgotten; and since he can no longer serve them, like a broken vessel, he is thrown by and neglected; his enemies reproach him with every malignant accusation; and, as, it was become dangerous to show the least regard to him, as Ahimelech had experienced, his once familiar friends now are afraid to know him, and care not to meet him, lest the smallest civilities should be to their prejudice: he heard the slander which was propagated on every side, and fear seized him when he knew that they were plotting to take away his life. Note; (1.) They who place dependance on worldly friendships will usually, to their sad disappointment, find them faithless. (2.) They who have taken Christ for their master must expect to meet with similar slights and insults; it is no uncommon case, then for our nearer relations to disown us, and our once dearest friends to be ashamed of us. Welcome reproach! if this be to be vile, let us be viler still. (3.) The Redeemer of souls endured all this and more; an outcast, despised, and abhorred, and persecuted by restless malice, till in his precious blood his enemies embrued their guilty hands.
2. He places his trust in God under every discouraging prospect. I said, Thou art my God; and this was enough to quiet every fear, and comfort him in every distress; for if God were his, then all things would work together for his good, and he could quietly resign up himself to him. My times are in thy hand, to dispose of me, and do by me as shall seem best in thy sight; thou knowest the properest time for my deliverance; my days cannot be shortened but with thy permission, nor my troubles of body or soul continue a moment longer than thou sufferest; and all events concerning me are safe, being in thy disposal. Note; This is a most comfortable and quieting consideration to every child of God.
3. While he waits in faith, he prays in hope. Our patient submission forbids not humble prayer; he begs, therefore, that God would deliver him from his persecutors, comfort him with a sweet sense of his favour, and save him for his mercies’ sake, the only plea that he presumes to make: he prays to be kept from shame, as if his hope was delusive, or his prayer fruitless; and that the wicked, who wished him evil, might be confounded at his deliverance: and, finally, he makes of God a general request in behalf of all his righteous ones, that the lying lips, which insolently, contemptuously, and cruelly revile them, might be sealed up in silence. Note; (1.) A wicked world stops at no lies to hurt the people of God. (2.) The most respectable characters, when engaged in the cause of Christ and true religion, must expect to meet with insolence and contempt. (3.) The day is coming when sinners must answer for all their hard speeches, which cruelly, disdainfully, and despitefully, they have spoken against the righteous. (4.) Though it is our duty to forgive every insult and injury, and to pray for our enemies, that God would forgive them too, we may at the same time safely cry for the coming of Christ’s glorious kingdom, when the finally-impenitent, and despisers of those who are good, will be for ever sealed up under eternal vengeance.
3rdly, The more we experience of God’s grace and mercy towards us, the more shall we be filled with wonder, love, and praise.
1. The Psalmist breaks out into wonder. O how great is thy goodness! how transcendantly blessed its effects! how graciously free its communications! and how amazingly extensive, even to the days of eternity; laid up as an invaluable treasure, and secured as a sacred deposit for them that fear thee! This is a distinguishing character of God’s people; they fear him, and nothing in comparison with him; let men threaten, or revile, they will not be moved to do evil, and rather would lay down their lives than offend God: and which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee, before the sons of men; either God’s special goodness to his people is manifested to men by his providential care and deliverance of them; or they make public and open profession of their dependance upon him, and glorify God thereby, even amidst all the threatenings of their adversaries. Thou shalt hide them, when hunted by the malice of their foes, in the secret of thy presence; secure from harm, satisfied in thy love, comforted with the light of thy countenance; from the pride of man, which would discountenance, or trample them under foot: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues; whatever abuse, rancour, or disputings of men of perverse minds may be levelled against them, it shall neither disturb nor distress them. Note; (1.) They are well kept whom God keeps. (2.) It may well reconcile us to all the evil that we meet with, when we enjoy a present sense of Divine favour, an experience of support from above, and a pleasing prospect of eternal rest, where we shall be for ever hid from the pride and revilings of men.
2. From his own experience he encourages others to love and trust the blessed God. His saints should love him; and with good reason they should do so, when his love to them has been so passing strange, and his dealings with them so amazingly kind; for he preserveth the faithful from sin, from falling, from their enemies, and will preserve them to his everlasting kingdom; and, therefore, how strongly are they bound to love him! and plentifully rewarded the proud doer; gives them the just punishment of their iniquities; and therefore he exhorts God’s people, in the view of his constant care and righteous judgment, to be of good courage; whatever dark providences overtake you, or temptations beset you, or enemies oppress you, faint not, for God is with you, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord; while you hope, he will help: yea, he will give you hope as well as help. Note; (1.) The people of God should communicate their experience for mutual comfort and edification. (2.) How greatly do we need to be stirred up to love this blessed God? Who need not complain of the coldness of his heart, and the unsuitableness of his affections, when he considers but a moment the wonders of redeeming grace? Trust then, my soul, in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 546
THE GODLY ENCOURAGED TO TRUST IN GOD
Psa 31:21-24. Blessed be the Lord; for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For 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. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
THE use of biography is universally acknowledged. It leads us into the recesses of domestic life; and teaches us, either from the frailties or the excellencies of others, how to conduct ourselves in a great variety of emergencies, which we ourselves must expect to meet with in life. But sacred biography is infinitely more interesting than that which proceeds only from uninspired pens, because the circumstances which are brought to light are more minutemore diversifiedmore authentic, than any records which people would choose to give of themselves, or than others would be capable of giving respecting them. On this account the Psalms of David claim the highest possible regard. Perhaps there never was a man whose circumstances were more varied than his: and certainly there never was a man who committed to writing all the secret motions of his heart with more fidelity than he; or that laboured more to improve them for the benefit of mankind.
This appears, as in many other psalms, so especially in that before us; as will be clearly seen, whilst we notice,
I.
His acknowledgment of mercies conferred upon him
To enter fully into this, we must refer to the occasion on which the psalm was penned. It was written, I apprehend, after his deliverance from Saul, when, from his being surrounded by Sauls army, he had conceived it impossible for him to escape. Indeed, his deliverance was truly marvellous; and it was wrought by the special intervention of Almighty God, in answer to his prayer. At the very moment that his blood-thirsty persecutor had, to all appearance, effected his purpose, tidings came that the Philistines had invaded the land of Judah; and Saul was compelled to return instantly from his pursuit of David, in order to repel the invaders [Note: 1Sa 23:27-28.]. In reference to these circumstances, David first acknowledges the mercy in general terms: Blessed be the Lord; for he hath shewed his marvellous kindness in a strong city, that is, in the strong holds to which he had fled: and then he specifies more particularly the relief he had found in answer to prayer, when his own mind was overwhelmed with desponding fears.
In the peaceful state of the Church at this clay, we are not likely to be reduced to Davids state for our religions sake: and, therefore, as far as the literal sense of the psalm goes, it is not applicable to us. But, of deliverances equally marvellous, we may speak. Let me then ask,
1.
Whether you have not, at times, been ready to despond?
[We can know but little either of our guilt or corruption, if we have not had the sentence of death in ourselves [Note: 2Co 1:9.], and felt that we had no sufficiency in ourselves to save ourselves [Note: 2Co 3:5.]. Have we never, then, under a sense of our extreme unworthiness and helplessness, been ready to doubt whether we could finally attain salvation, and said, as it were, in our haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes? Go back to some particular seasons, when your great adversary has prevailed against you, and seemed as if, like a roaring lion, he would utterly destroy you: has it not, at such seasons, been difficult to lay hold on the divine promises, and to flee for refuge to the hope set before you? ]
2.
Whether God have not at such seasons interposed for you, in answer to your prayer?
[There are few that have not had reason to bless and adore their God, for shewing them his marvellous kindness in such seasons as these. The experience of the Prophet Jeremiah has been realized by Gods people in every age: Waters flowed over my head. Then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice, and not hid thine ear at my breathing and my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not [Note: Lam 3:54-57.]. From you, then, the Psalmists acknowledgment is clue: and by you it should be made to the latest hour of your lives.]
Full of gratitude, he pours forth,
II.
His exhortations, founded on his own experience
He exhorts the saints,
1.
To love God
[God is worthy to be loved for his own divine excellencies: but he should be loved also for the wisdom and equity of his dispensations. The faithful he does and will preserve: yes, both from men and devils will he preserve them: he will hide them under the shadow of his wings, and keep them even as the apple of his eye But the proud doer, whosoever he may be, he will plentifully reward with judgments proportioned to his impiety The ungodly may indeed triumph for a time, and the godly be left to groan under the rod of the oppressor: but a day of righteous retribution is at hand, when God will recompense tribulation to those who trouble his people; and to those who are troubled, rest [Note: 2Th 1:6-7.] Shall not the assurance of this be a comfort to the saints, even under their deepest troubles? Surely it should so that I may well urge upon them the exhortation before us: O love the Lord, all ye his saints.]
2.
To trust in God
[There are seasons when the saints can scarcely be said to believe and trust, whilst yet they do hope in God; saying, as it were, If I perish, I will perish at his footstool, crying for mercy. Now then, to all such persons I say, God will strengthen your heart, yea, and strengthen your arm too, so that the arms of your hands shall be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob [Note: Gen 49:24.]. He will even perfect his own strength in your weakness, so that no enemy shall be able to prevail against you. Be of good courage, then, my Brethren. Though you cannot fully trust in God, yet, if you can hope in him, be not afraid: for God will vindicate your cause, and bruise all your enemies, not excepting even Satan himself, under your feet shortly [Note: Rom 16:20.].]
Exhortation
1.
Learn to see and to acknowledge the mercies of God towards you
[What loss is sustained, both of comfort to the saints, and of honour to the Deity, by the inattention of men to the dispensations of their God! How many deliverances, both temporal and spiritual, have we all experienced; but of which, through our remissness, God has never received any tribute of praise! Know ye, that if ye will be observant of Gods dealings towards you, you will never want a theme for gratitude and praise ]
2.
Be not satisfied with your own happiness, but seek to advance also the happiness of others
[David never celebrates any mercy vouchsafed to him, without improving it as an occasion for commending God to others, and exhorting them to unite with him in every possible expression of love and gratitude. Thus should it be with us also. We are not, indeed, called to make known to all the secret workings of our own hearts; but we are called to edify one another, and to take every suitable occasion of honouring our God. Let us, then, do this; and do it, too, with holy zeal. Let us abundantly utter the memory of his great goodness, that all his works may praise him, and all his saints may bless him [Note: Psa 145:5-10.].]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Here we find again a single person speaking, and, no doubt, by the spirit of prophecy, David spoke of Christ. On the cross Jesus so complained; nevertheless, in that complaint, he spoke his trust in the Father. Mat 27:46 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 31:21 Blessed [be] the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
Ver. 21. Blessed be the Lord ] This should always be in a Christian’s mouth, as Deo gratias was in Austin’s. He can never want matter, and should, therefore, ever find a heart.
For he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness
In a strong city
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
kindness = lovingkindness, or grace.
strong = fortified: which Zion was.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
marvellous: Psa 17:7, Psa 98:1, Psa 118:23, 1Pe 2:9
strong city: or, fenced city, 1Sa 23:7-13, Jer 1:18
Reciprocal: Psa 28:6 – General Isa 26:1 – salvation
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 31:21-22. He hath showed me marvellous kindness in a strong city
Namely, in Keilah, where God had wonderfully preserved him; of which see 1Sa 23:7. Or, as in a strong city. He hath kept me as safe in woods and caves as if I had been in a fenced city. I said in my haste In my hasty flight from Saul, when he and his men had almost encompassed me, 1Sa 23:26. This happened presently after his deliverance in and from the strong city of Keilah. Or the Hebrew, , bechaphzi, may be rendered, in my fear, or trembling, when my passion took away my consideration, and weakened my faith. I am cut off from before thine eyes That is, cast out of thy sight, and out of the care of thy gracious providence; my case is desperate: or cut off while thou lookest on, and dost not pity nor help me. Nevertheless, thou heardest, &c. My fears were quickly confuted by thy gracious answer to my prayers.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
31:21 Blessed [be] the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a {p} strong city.
(p) Meaning, there was no city strong enough to preserve him, as the defence of God’s favour.