Psalms 31:13-23

13 For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.
17 Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead.
18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
19 How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.
21 Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.
22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.
23 Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.

Psalms 31:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. This psalm, according to Arama, was composed by David when in Keilah; but, according to Kimchi and others, when the Ziphites proposed to deliver him up into the hands of Saul; and who, upon their solicitations, came down and surrounded him with his army, from whom in haste he made his escape, and to which he is thought to refer in Psalm 31:22. Theodoret supposes it was written by David when he fled from Absalom, and that it has some respect in it to his sin against Uriah, in that verse.

Cross References 27

  • 1. S Leviticus 19:16; Psalms 50:20
  • 2. S Job 18:11; Isaiah 13:8; Jeremiah 6:25; Jeremiah 20:3,10; Jeremiah 46:5; Jeremiah 49:5; Lamentations 2:22
  • 3. Psalms 41:7; Psalms 56:6; Psalms 71:10; Psalms 83:3
  • 4. S Genesis 37:18; S Matthew 12:14; Matthew 27:1
  • 5. Psalms 4:5; Psalms 140:6
  • 6. S Job 14:5; Job 24:1; Psalms 143:9
  • 7. S Numbers 6:25; Psalms 4:6
  • 8. S Psalms 6:4
  • 9. S Psalms 22:5; Psalms 25:2-3
  • 10. 1 Samuel 2:9; Psalms 94:17; Psalms 115:17
  • 11. Psalms 120:2; Proverbs 10:18; Proverbs 26:24
  • 12. S 1 Samuel 2:3; Jude 1:15; Psalms 94:4
  • 13. S Psalms 27:13; Romans 11:22
  • 14. Psalms 23:5; Isaiah 64:4
  • 15. Psalms 2:12
  • 16. Psalms 55:8
  • 17. S Psalms 17:8; Psalms 27:5
  • 18. S Genesis 37:18; Job 5:21
  • 19. Psalms 28:6
  • 20. S Psalms 17:7
  • 21. 1 Samuel 23:7
  • 22. Psalms 116:11
  • 23. Job 6:9; Job 17:1; Psalms 37:9; Psalms 88:5; Isaiah 38:12
  • 24. Psalms 6:9; Psalms 66:19; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 145:19; Lamentations 3:54
  • 25. S Psalms 4:3; Psalms 34:9
  • 26. S Psalms 18:25; Revelation 2:10; Psalms 145:20
  • 27. Deuteronomy 32:41; Psalms 94:2
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.