The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 31:9

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble. The psalmist follows up his prayer for mercy by an exposition of his need of mercy. He is in trouble, in sore trouble—"hard pressed," as Hengstenberg translates—distressed both in mind and body.

Mine eye is consumed with grief (comp. Psalms 6:7, where the expression is almost identical). The grief intended is "that produced by provocation or spiteful treatment" (Kay). It causes him to weep so much that his eye is well-nigh "consumed" or "eaten away."

Yea, my soul and my belly. Some explain this as meaning simply "my soul and my body" (Hengstenberg, Alexander, Revised Version); but others regard the "belly" as denoting "the very centre of physical life and of the emotions" (comp.

Job 32:19).

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 31:1-24The saint rehearsing his experience of the great Protector's care There is no good reason to doubt that this is one of David's psalms. Its forms of expression bear the marks of his pen, £ and the "undesigned coincidence…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 31:1-24EXPOSITION THIS psalm is, in the main, a cry for deliverance out of pressing danger and trouble; but it is interspersed with passages of a more cheerful tone, expressive of faith and confidence (Psalms 31:5-8, Psalms 31…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 31:9-18David's troubles made him a man of sorrows. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was acquainted with grief. David acknowledged that his afflictions were merited by his own sins, but Christ suffered for ours. David's frie…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 31:9-18A story of suffering and sorrow. The psalmist now, in the spirit of heartfelt trust in the helping grace of God, proceeds first to describe at length his trouble (Psalms 31:9, Psalms 31:13); and second, to pray for deli…Joseph S. Exell and contributors