Click here to read PSALM 31 in poetic form.
Background
This Psalm includes the Messiah’s final words in his earthly ministry: “Into thine hand I commit my spirit” (verse 5) as fulfilled by Jesus Christ in Luke 23:46. This is a Psalm of great joy and deliverance, for despite the enemy’s many attacks, the Messiah trusts in the Lord Who delivers him from every reproach and adversity. Jesus Christ knew that his times were in his Father’s hand (verse 15).
Structure
(Verse 1) Messiah never ashamed (disappointed) in the Lord
(Verses 2-8) Messiah trusts the Lord Who redeems him from his enemies
(Verses 9-13) the Messiah’s enemies attack him
(Verses 14-18) Messiah never ashamed (disappointed) in the Lord
(Verses 19-22) Messiah trusts the Lord Who redeems him from his enemies
(Verses 23-24) the Messiah’s enemies plentifully rewarded for their proud doings
Key Scriptures
Verse 2—“deliver [rescue] me speedily: be thou my strong rock.” God rescued Jesus Christ at just the right time from every evil he encountered. God was the Messiah’s rock, so that the Messiah could become the cornerstone for mankind’s redemption.
Verse 4—“for thou art my strength.” Jesus Christ realized that without his Father’s help, he could do nothing (John 5:19,30; 8:28).
Verse 5—“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” Even while hanging in total humiliation upon the cross, Jesus Christ knew that he was redeemed by his mighty Father, the Lord God. As he commended his spirit unto God, he had a clear picture of “the joy that was set before him” so that he “endured such contradiction of sinners against himself” (Hebrews 12:2,3).
Verses 1, 6, 14, 17, 22, 24—“in thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,” “I trust in the Lord,” “I trusted in thee, O Lord,” “I have called upon thee,” “I cried unto thee,” “hope in the Lord.” Trust and confidence in the Lord is a major theme of this and many other Psalms.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
