THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION

Psalms: God's Nurture Of The Inner Man In The Life Of Faith

XXXI. Trusting The Lord For Deliverance From Unusually Massive Trials

(Psalm 31:1-24)

I. Introduction

A. Sometimes the believer faces trials that are unusually massive in their scope and threat.

B. Psalm 31:1-24 directs the believer on looking to the Lord for deliverance from such trials (as follows):

II. Trusting The Lord For Deliverance From Unusually Massive Trials, Psalm 31:1-24.

A. Verse 1 of this psalm comprises the first part of verse one in the English Bible (Kittel, Bib. Heb., p. 999), so we stay with the numbering system in the English Bible for clarity.

B. We thus translate Psalm 31:1-24 as follows:

1. "In You, O Jahweh, I seek refuge; let me never be ashamed. In Your righteousness deliver me," Psa. 31:1.

2. "Turn Your ear to me; come quickly to save me; be my Rock, a Strong Fortress to save me," Psalm 31:2.

3. "For You are my Rock and Fortress, for the sake of Your Name, lead and guide me with gentle care," v. 3.

4. "Free me from the trap that is set for me because it is You (emph. pron.) Who art my Refuge," Psalm 31:4.

5. "Into Your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Jahweh, the God of truth," Psalm 31:5.

6. "I have an aversion against those who treasure vain idols, for I myself trust in Jahweh," Psalm 31:6.

7. "I will be glad and I will rejoice in Your loyal love, for You saw my affliction and You knew the straits of my life principle," Psalm 31:7.

8. "And You have not delivered me up to the hand of my enemy; You have set my feet in a spacious place," Psalm 31:8.

9. "Be merciful to me, O Jahweh, because I am in a narrow (strait); my eyes grow weak with sorrow; my life principle and my body with grief," Psalm 31:9.

10. "For my life is consumed by grief, and my years with groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak," Psalm 31:10.

11. "Because of all of my enemies I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends -- those seeing me on the street flee from me," Psalm 31:11.

12. "I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I am become as broken pottery," Psalm 31:12.

13. "For I hear the slander of many; 'There is terror on every side!' They conspire against me and plot to take my life," Psalm 31:13.

14. "But I myself trust in You, O Jahweh; I say, 'My Elohim are You!'" (Psalm 31:14)

15. "In Your hands are my fortunes; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me," Psa. 31:15.

16. "Let Your face shine upon Your servant; save me in Your loyal love," Psalm 31:16.

17. "Jahweh, let me not be shamed, for I called to You; let the wicked be shamed and lie silent in the grave," Psalm 31:17.

18. "Let their lying lips be silenced, (for) with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous," Psalm 31:18.

19. "How great is Your goodness which You have reserved for those who fear You! Which You perform for those who take refuge in You, which You do in the conspicuous view of the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19)

20. "In the shelter of Your presence You hide them from the conspiracy of man; in Your dwelling You keep them safe from accusing tongues," Psalm 31:20.

21. "Blessed be Jahweh for His extraordinary loyal love is to me when I was in a besieged city," Psa. 31:21.

22. "And I (emph. pron.), in my alarm said, 'I am cut off from Your sight!' Surely You heard my cry for mercy when I called to You for help," Psalm 31:22.

23. "Love Jahweh, all you His servants; Jahweh preserves the faithful but He repays the proud in full," v. 23.

24. "Be strong and take heart all you who wait for Jahweh!" (Psalm 31:24)

Lesson: In facing unusually massive trials, David poured out his heart to God, asking Him for deliverance. Then, David urged other believers to follow his example in similar times and courageously wait for God to help them.

Application: (1) If we face unusually massive trials, may we pour out our heart to the Lord for His help and courageously wait for Him to come to our aid. (2) When God delivers us, may we like David use the experience to testify to others of their need courageously to wait for God to help them in their trials.