Psalm 31: Yahweh: The God of Promise and Deliverance

This well-known Psalm was used by Jonah, Jeremiah, and Jesus. Therefore, we find verse 6 quoted in Jonah 2:8; verse 13 in Jeremiah (6:25, 20:3, 10, 46:5, 49:29) and in Lamentations  2:22; and verse 5 was spoken by Jesus and recorded in Luke 23:46. The author of Ps 71:1–3 seems to also have these words in mind (Ps 31:1–5) while writing that Psalm.

  I. David’s Prayer for Deliverance/Salvation 31:1–5

     A. Yahweh is his refuge

     B. Yahweh can give him righteousness

     C. Yahweh is like a rock (Deut 32:4)

     D. Yahweh is like a stronghold, fortress, a Masada

     E. The covenant God honor is at stake when His people are hurt

     F. Yahweh delivers/saves for His own glory

     G. Yahweh is concerned with justice

     H. Yahweh sees and knows

     I. Yahweh ransoms, rescues sinners

     J. Surrendering to God’s will is always best (1 Pet 4:19)

     K. Yahweh is the God of truth and faithfulness

 II. David’s Prayer of Faith 31:6–8

      A. Those who worship worthless puffs of wind, fog, mist (idols) are rejected.

           A textual variant is here. Some versions say, “You have hated,” others “I have hated”

           (God’ rejection of sinners Ps 5:4–6, 11:5, 34:16, 45:7, Prov 6:16–19, Mal 1:3, Rom 9:13)

           (Sinners hatred of God Ps 68:1, 81:15, 83:2, John 3:19–21, 15:18, 22–25)

      B. Yahweh is faithful and David has trusted him in the past with good results

      C. Yahweh has covenant love (hesed) for His people

      D. Yahweh is aware of all of His peoples’ difficulties and pain  

      E. Yahweh is able to protect His people from their enemies

      F. Is David justified in having such deep confidence in the God of the Bible?

III. David’s Prayer for Mercy 31:9–13

     A. David needs Yahweh’s merciful deliverance

     B. David is in danger and in pain, and cries out with tears

     C. David is exhausted and distressed, in deep despair

     D. David is mistreated and forsaken; consequently his confidence has slipped

     E. David is ignored, forgotten, and useless

     F. David is being slandered, depressed and disgraced

     G. David is being stalked

     H. David is in danger, “terror on every side” (Jer 6:25)

IV. David’s Prayer of Trust 31:14–18

      A. Yahweh has a close covenant relationship with David.

            David has a secure and personal relationship with the God of the Bible

      B. Yahweh is sovereign over time and events. His providence is evident.

            David is dependent on Yahweh’s rule and power (Your hand)

      C. Yahweh’s gracious favor is to be sought in prayer

      D. Yahweh is the great shepherd that saves and guides His sheep

      E. Yahweh will deal with David’s enemies

 V. David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving 31:19–24

      A. Yahweh is good 

      B. Yahweh righteously works in events for those who fear Him

      C. Yahweh is a refuge

      D. Yahweh blinds the enemy and delivers His people

      E. Yahweh should be praised for His salvation and deliverance

      F. Yahweh is the one to flee to when we are afraid and discouraged

     G. Yahweh is to be loved by His covenant people, beloved ones who love Him

     H. Yahweh preserves the humble faithful person, but resists the proud

      I. Yahweh shall strengthen your heart in trails, if you love and fear Him

          “Be strong and take heart” or “He shall strengthen your heart”

     J. Yahweh is the God of hope

         We hope in His promises and deliverance with a know-so-hope

         We should hold on in faith, regardless of our circumstances or how we feel

         Faith is not a onetime commitment; it is a lifetime commitment

         Wait on God, hope in His promised redemption, fear, love, and trust Him