Psalms 31:17

17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on thee; let the wicked be put to shame, let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.

Psalms 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.

Psalms 31:17 In-Context

15 My times are in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors!
16 Let thy face shine on thy servant; save me in thy steadfast love!
17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on thee; let the wicked be put to shame, let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be dumb, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for those who fear thee, and wrought for those who take refuge in thee, in the sight of the sons of men!
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.