---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 31"
description: "PSALM 31   :-. The prayer of a believer in time of deep distress. In
the first part, cries for help are mingled with expressions of
confidence. Then the d"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/31"
---

PSALM 31

. The prayer of a believer in time of deep distress. In
the first part, cries for help are mingled with expressions of
confidence. Then the detail of griefs engrosses his attention, till,
in the assurance of strong but submissive faith, he rises to the
language of unmingled joyful trust and exhorts others to like love
and confidence towards God.

**1.** Expresses the general tone of
feeling of the Psalm.

**2-4.** He seeks help in God's
righteous government ([Psalms 5:8](../../../kjv/psalms/5/8)),
and begs for an attentive hearing, and speedy and effectual aid. With
no other help and no claim of merit, he relies solely on God's regard
to His own perfections for a safe guidance and release from the
snares of his enemies. On the terms "rock," c., (compare
[Psalms 17:2](../../../kjv/psalms/17/2) [Psalms 18:2](../../../kjv/psalms/18/2);
[Psalms 18:50](../../../kjv/psalms/18/50); [Psalms 20:6](../../../kjv/psalms/20/6);
[Psalms 23:3](../../../kjv/psalms/23/3); [Psalms 25:21](../../../kjv/psalms/25/21)).

**5, 6. commit my spirit**—my
life, or myself. Our Saviour used the words on the Cross [], not as prophetical, but, as many pious men have done, as
expressive of His unshaken confidence in God. The Psalmist rests on
God's faithfulness to His promises to His people, and hence avows
himself one of them, detesting all who revere objects of idolatry
(compare [Deuteronomy 32:21](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/21); [1 Corinthians 8:4](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/8/4)).

**7. hast known my soul,** &c.—had
regard to me in trouble.

**8. shut me up . . . enemy**—abandon
to ([1 Samuel 23:11](../../../kjv/1-samuel/23/11)).
**large room**—place of
safety (compare [Psalms 18:19](../../../kjv/psalms/18/19)).

**9, 10. mine eye,** &c.—denotes
extreme weakness (compare [Psalms 6:7](../../../kjv/psalms/6/7)).
**grief**—mingled sorrow
and indignation ([Psalms 6:7](../../../kjv/psalms/6/7)).
**soul and . . . belly**—the
whole person.

**10.** Though the effects ascribed
to grief are not mere figures of speech—
**spent . . . consumed**—must
be taken in the modified sense of *wasted* and *decayed.*
**iniquity**—or, suffering
by it (see on [Psalms 31:4](../../../kjv/psalms/31/4)).

**11. among**—or, literally,
"from," or, "by" my enemies. The latter clauses
describe the progress of his disgrace to the lowest degree, till,

**12.** he is forgotten as one dead,
and contemned as a useless broken vessel.

**13. For**—introduces further
reasons for his prayer, the unjust, deliberate, and murderous
purposes of his foes.

**14-18.** In his profession of
trust he includes the terms of the prayer expressing it.

**15. times**—course of life.
**deliver . . . hand**—opposed
to "shut me up," &c., of .

**16. Make . . . shine**—(Compare
[Numbers 6:25](../../../kjv/numbers/6/25); [Psalms 4:6](../../../kjv/psalms/4/6)).
Deprecating from himself, he imprecates on the wicked God's
displeasure, and prays that their virulent persecution of him may be
stopped.

**14-18.** In his profession of
trust he includes the terms of the prayer expressing it.

**19-21.** God displays openly His
purposed goodness to His people.

**20. the secret of thy presence**—or,
*covering* of Thy countenance; the protection He thus affords;
compare [Psalms 27:5](../../../kjv/psalms/27/5) for a similar
figure; "dwelling" used there for "presence"
here. The idea of security further presented by the figure of a tent
and a fortified city [[Psalms 31:21](../../../kjv/psalms/31/21)].

**19-21.** God displays openly His
purposed goodness to His people.

**22. For I said**—literally, "And
I said," in an adversative sense. I, thus favored, was
despondent.
**in my haste**—in my
terror.
**cut off . . . eyes**—from
all the protection of Thy presence.

**23, 24. the Lord . . . proud
doer**—literally, "the Lord is keeping faith," that is,
with His people, and is repaying, c. Then let none despair, but take
courage their hopes shall not be in vain.

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