The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 31:9-18

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

A 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 deliverance (Psalms 31:14-18).

I. CAUSES OF TROUBLE. (Psalms 31:9, Psalms 31:13.)

1. Consciousness of sin. (Psalms 31:9, Psalms 31:10.) This was the constant lifelong grief. None but good men feel their sinfulness so acutely.

2. Loss of reputation. (Psalms 31:11, Psalms 31:12.) "A fear to mine acquaintance;" so that they avoided him. "Like a broken vessel;" equivalent to "an object of contempt."

3. Stood in constant danger of his life. (Psalms 31:13.) Through slander and misrepresentation, he was in constant fear and dread. Like some kings who live in constant dread of assassination.

II. THE CRY FOR DELIVERANCE. (Psalms 31:14 18.)

1. Seeks to reassure himself of his personal relation to God. (Psalms 31:14.) Nothing more difficult, when we see our faith despised by the whole world, than to rest on the testimony of our own conscience that "God is our God."

2. Because his times were in God's hand, he was not left to the mercy of his enemies. (Psalms 31:15.) God could transform evil into good, and danger into safety.

3. He was God's servant, and on that ground he cried for protection. (Psalms 31:16.) "Make thy face to shine." The good Master would be merciful "for his own sake" towards his servant.

4. God would not allow his faith in him to be put to shame. (Psalms 31:17.) He puts God in remembrance of his promise that he will hear and help those who call upon him with heartfelt confidence. He prays that his enemies may be struck dumb with the silence of the grave, so that they may be no longer able to slander him (Psalms 31:18). His faith in God reached thus to all the difficulties of his life, and might be called a working faith.—S.

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