Psalms 31:17

17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon Thee; let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

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 ) .

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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 mine enemies and from them that persecute me.

16 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; save me for Thy mercies' sake.

17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon Thee; let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

19 O how great is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!