Psalm 31 is a Psalm of David. In this chapter he is reminding us to 1) find your security in life...in the Lord, and 2) learn the art of patience and trust Him to be there when you need Him...right when you need Him.
The thing about verses like this...David is speaking from real experiences he had in life....like near-death type experiences.
Most likely this was a time when Saul was after David...to kill him. Earlier in this Psalm, the first thing David does is...pray...pray to God because he was is trouble and needed real help. And...God sent help...Saul did not catch David.
This gave David a "little breathing room", and he received some comfort from this God he put his trust in...to the point David actually became pretty joyful over the whole outcome...
but...it wasn't over!
It happened again! This time it was worse. So, David did again what he had done the first time...he prayed...and asked his God for help...and God did it again...He brought help...and Saul again could not capture David.
In Psalm 31 David uses some pretty vivid words to describe his story when offering prayers to God...like "wide place" meaning he was hoping God would give him the help he needed so David could go anywhere he pleased...and not have "Saul on his back" continually.
David also prayed in this manner: "Rescue me because of Your very Name! David knew in his own heart of God's tremendous fame...the kind of fame that speaks of God coming and helping those who have committed their entire lives into His hands.
David also describes some of the stress he was under in verses 9-12. Stress can mess you up...it can make you sick, feel like you want to die, or flat wear you out to the point you simply don't want to live anymore. Yet, David also reminds himself and all of us: "My times are in...Your hands!"
And now David comes to a "high point" in the chapter...reminding himself how God is there...right there!...when we need Him. Furthermore, when it is "all said and done", it won't be David put to shame...it will be his enemies...like Saul...who wanted to "do David in".
And why could David believe that?...because David knew...those that come against him (David), comes against the God David believes in.
In the commentaries of John Calvin, the great theologian of yesteryear, he emphasizes in verse 19 that David is not only proclaiming God is good, but God is "to be ravished with admiration"...from David personally, the reason being David's first hand experience of taking the chance...to trust Him!
As in many parts of the Sacred Scripture, until one experiences for themselves the Scriptures coming alive in their own lives, the Scriptures can seem vague and hard to relate to.
Yet, once you do apply the "Living Word" to a situation you may be facing...then you have done something that goes beyond the everyday "hum-drum" of human life....for now you have crossed-over...you have entered His Kingdom...and you may never...return!
A Gleaning from Psalm 31: 19-22
"Ok, how can I possibly not say...How Wonderful You Truly Are!...and You have so many good things stored for us... in Your Home...to be given to anyone who fears, reveres, and worships You!
We know the world is not exactly kind to anyone, but You are determined...to lavish us with Your Gifts...blessing those who make their mind up to put their trust...in You! You safely protect them from any opposition...while the rest of the world simply...watches!
You hide us... in the very "Shelter of Your Presence", and You are the protection from those who conspire against us, those who are two-faced, and from all the poisonous gossip that vomits from their very lips.
I will praise You my King, for You once again demonstrate Your marvelous love...right into my personal daily situations. Your great kindness makes us all stand in awe...awe at the wonder of it all!
I was about to "be had", like a large army encircling a city...poised to siege and destroy the city. I was in total panic...stressed to the max! I thought..."Lord, am I out of Your sight?...and if I am out of Your sight...am I out of Your thoughts as well?"
Then...You arrived!"
The thing about verses like this...David is speaking from real experiences he had in life....like near-death type experiences.
Most likely this was a time when Saul was after David...to kill him. Earlier in this Psalm, the first thing David does is...pray...pray to God because he was is trouble and needed real help. And...God sent help...Saul did not catch David.
This gave David a "little breathing room", and he received some comfort from this God he put his trust in...to the point David actually became pretty joyful over the whole outcome...
but...it wasn't over!
It happened again! This time it was worse. So, David did again what he had done the first time...he prayed...and asked his God for help...and God did it again...He brought help...and Saul again could not capture David.
In Psalm 31 David uses some pretty vivid words to describe his story when offering prayers to God...like "wide place" meaning he was hoping God would give him the help he needed so David could go anywhere he pleased...and not have "Saul on his back" continually.
David also prayed in this manner: "Rescue me because of Your very Name! David knew in his own heart of God's tremendous fame...the kind of fame that speaks of God coming and helping those who have committed their entire lives into His hands.
David also describes some of the stress he was under in verses 9-12. Stress can mess you up...it can make you sick, feel like you want to die, or flat wear you out to the point you simply don't want to live anymore. Yet, David also reminds himself and all of us: "My times are in...Your hands!"
And now David comes to a "high point" in the chapter...reminding himself how God is there...right there!...when we need Him. Furthermore, when it is "all said and done", it won't be David put to shame...it will be his enemies...like Saul...who wanted to "do David in".
And why could David believe that?...because David knew...those that come against him (David), comes against the God David believes in.
In the commentaries of John Calvin, the great theologian of yesteryear, he emphasizes in verse 19 that David is not only proclaiming God is good, but God is "to be ravished with admiration"...from David personally, the reason being David's first hand experience of taking the chance...to trust Him!
As in many parts of the Sacred Scripture, until one experiences for themselves the Scriptures coming alive in their own lives, the Scriptures can seem vague and hard to relate to.
Yet, once you do apply the "Living Word" to a situation you may be facing...then you have done something that goes beyond the everyday "hum-drum" of human life....for now you have crossed-over...you have entered His Kingdom...and you may never...return!
A Gleaning from Psalm 31: 19-22
"Ok, how can I possibly not say...How Wonderful You Truly Are!...and You have so many good things stored for us... in Your Home...to be given to anyone who fears, reveres, and worships You!
We know the world is not exactly kind to anyone, but You are determined...to lavish us with Your Gifts...blessing those who make their mind up to put their trust...in You! You safely protect them from any opposition...while the rest of the world simply...watches!
You hide us... in the very "Shelter of Your Presence", and You are the protection from those who conspire against us, those who are two-faced, and from all the poisonous gossip that vomits from their very lips.
I will praise You my King, for You once again demonstrate Your marvelous love...right into my personal daily situations. Your great kindness makes us all stand in awe...awe at the wonder of it all!
I was about to "be had", like a large army encircling a city...poised to siege and destroy the city. I was in total panic...stressed to the max! I thought..."Lord, am I out of Your sight?...and if I am out of Your sight...am I out of Your thoughts as well?"
Then...You arrived!"
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