Ps. 31 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed either when David was in great distress, or afterwards, in remembrance thereof, and of God’s singular goodness in delivering him out of it, whence it is mixed of prayer and praises, of hopes and fears.

Let me never be ashamed, to wit, of my confidence in thy promises. In thy righteousness, i.e. by or for; or, according to thy faithfulness and goodness; both which come oft under the name of righteousness.

Deliver me speedily, because of the greatness and urgency of my danger, which is even ready to swallow me up.

For thy name’s sake; for the glory of thy name, i.e. of thy power, and truth, and mercy to thy miserable servant. Lead me, and guide me; two words expressing the same thing with more emphasis.

Into thine hand, i.e. to thy care and custody, I commit my spirit, i.e. my soul or life, called a man’s spirit, as Eccles. 3:21, Eccles. 12:7;c. Either, 1. To receive it; for my case is almost desperate, and I am ready to give up the ghost. Or, 2.

I have hated them; their very persons, not simply, but for their wickedness. Compare Ps. 139:21–22. That regard, Heb. that observe, to wit, with respect to them, dependence upon them, or expectation of any good from them.

Thou hast known, i.e. loved me, and cared for me; for words of knowledge commonly imply affection.

Hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; whereof I was in great and imminent danger, if thou hadst not delivered me. See 1 Sam. 23:7. Thou hast made way for me to escape, when I was encompassed by them, and set me at liberty.

With grief; with continual weeping. See Poole “Ps. 6:7”. My soul; my sorrows are not counterfeit or slight, but inward and hearty; my mind is oppressed, my heart is ready to sink under my burden. My belly, i.e.

My life, i.e. the time of my life, as the next clause explains it. Because of mine iniquity; either through my deep and just sense of my sins, which have provoked God to afflict me in this manner; or for the punishment of mine iniquity, as this word is frequently used.

A reproach, i.e. the matter of their reproaches and scorns. This, said they, is David, anointed to be king of Israel, a goodly monarch indeed, forsaken by God and men, and in a perishing and desperate condition; he pretends great piety to God, and loyalty to Saul, but in truth he is a great…

Whatsoever good service I have done to the king, or kingdom, or to any particular persons, neighbours, friends, or others, which sometimes they have acknowledged and highly commended, is now quite forgotten by all of them; or, at least, they carry themselves to me as if it were so.

I have heard, partly with my own ears, and partly by the information of others. The slander of many, who reproach and defame me as a turbulent and seditious person, an enemy to the public peace, a conspirator against the king’s life or dignity. Fear, i.e.

Mine by paternal relation, and care, and affection, and by thy promise or covenant made with me.

My times; either, 1. The time of my life, how long I shall live. Or, 2. My opportunities or fit seasons for working out my deliverance. Or rather, 3. All the affairs and events of my life; for time is oft put for things done or accidents happening in time, as 1 Chron. 29:30, Job 11:17, Ps.

Manifest thy love and favour to me, by answering my prayers, and saving me from all mine enemies.

I have called upon thee; and therefore thy honour will be eclipsed in my disappointment, as if thou didst not hear prayers, nor keep promise, nor make any difference between good and bad men. Let the wicked be ashamed; frustrated in their wicked designs and carnal confidences.

Lying lips; slanderous tongues. Be put to silence, either by thy vindication and discovery of my integrity; or by some eminent judgment, which may either convince them, or cut them off. Grievous things, Heb. hard words, or things, the singular number being put for the plural.

How great is thy goodness! no words can express the greatness of thy love and blessings. Laid up, or hidden, to wit, with thyself, or in thy own breast. The word is very emphatical, and removes an objection of ungodly men, taken from the present calamities of good men.

In the secret of thy presence; or as in the secret of thy presence either, 1. As if they were in thy presence-chamber, where thine own eye and hand guardeth them from all the assaults of their enemies; called his secret, partly because the greatest part of the world are strangers to God and his…

To wit, in Keilah; where God wonderfully preserved me; of which see 1 Sam. 23:7. Others, as in a strong city. He hath kept me as safe in woods and caves, as if I had been in a fenced city.

In my haste, i.e. in my hasty flight from Saul, when he and his men had almost encompassed me, 1 Sam. 23:26, which happened presently after his deliverance in and from the strong city of Keilah. Or, in my fear, or trembling, when my passion took away my consideration, and weakened my faith.

The Lord preserveth the faithful; or, keepeth faithfulness, or faithfulnesses, i.e. is faithful in fulfilling his promises; or rather, the faithful, who is opposed to the proud doer in the next clause of the verse. Plentifully, Heb. with (for so the Hebrew al sometimes signifies) abundance.

Be of good courage; or, be strong in the Lord, and by confidence in his promises, which will not fail you; as I have found by experience.