Psalm 31:17

17 O Lord, ¹let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go ²silently to Sheol.

Psalm 31:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 31:17

Let me not be ashamed, O Lord
The same petition as in ( Psalms 31:1 ) ;

for I have called upon thee;
who is nigh unto all that call upon him in truth, and is rich unto them, and has promised to help and save them; which should he not do, not only he would be made ashamed, but the promise of God would seem to fail: for the psalmist does not plead any duty of his, nor make a merit of his prayers; but has respect to the promise and faithfulness of God;

let the wicked be ashamed;
as they will be, sooner or later, of their wickedness, and of their false trust and confidence; of their being incensed against Christ, and their rage against his people, and persecution of them;

[and] let them be silent in the grave;
as all are that are there; and the sense is, let them be brought to the grave, where they will be silent, or cease ^F6; that is, from their evil words and works, and particularly from troubling the saints, ( Job 3:17 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F6 "Verbum est" (Mmd) "quod significat cessare ab aliquo opere, vel sermone", Psal. iv. 5. Gejerus.

Psalm 31:17 In-Context

15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!

17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol.

18 Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

Cross References

• 1. 31:17 ver. 1
• 2. 31:17 1 Sam. 2:9; [Ps. 94:17; 115:17]