MEDITATIONS IN THE PSALMS [An outline of the Psalm, A good devotional study when using the scriptures indicated] Psalm 31:1-8, David’s Compilations
Psalm 31 seems to be of David assembling together his thoughts on previously separate times in his life, as we might do in a journal. His first thoughts going back to 1 Sam.23, Keilah; ch.25, Nabal; ch.30 Ziklag; and his ill treatment: (great reading to experience the faith the Lord gave him in each incident). There there is an expressed confidence in his God, “In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.” This is an intelligent faith, not only so, but a wise faith; to entreat nothing or anyone but Jehovah. “Jehovah,” self-existence, self-originating, and self-sufficient; only He is such, only does He have life in and of Himself. (John 5:26). But of the creature it is said, “In Him, ‘we live’ and move and have our being;” totally dependent on Him, He totally independent of us. Therefore David says, “In thee O Jehovah (not the creature) do I put my trust. Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses: but I will trust (remember) the name of Jehovah my God.” The perpetuity of David’s faith, “In Thee do I put my trust” not I have, or I will. “Let me never be ashamed”, the boldness of his faith: the man who puts his trust in Jehovah continually has nothing to be ashamed of; ashamed of the One who sought me and bought me by His blood, ashamed of Him who rescued me from gloom and doom, ashamed of Him who drew me from the mire, and redeemed me from the cruse? While this is so I think the idea is more “Let me not be disappointed.” Paul uses it in this sense in Romans 1:16. V2 we see David exercising his faith by securing an audience with God, “Bow down Thine ear”; by trusting a merciful condescending God stooping to a lower level. Do you believe God will? You had better Isa. 57:15. Confidentially expecting God’s immediate attention, “deliver me speedily.” This does not allow us to set times and seasons; yet in submission we may ask for swiftness as well as sure mercy. The three Hebrews went into the fire of the furnace trusting that if He willed they would be delivered; He may not bring us immediately out of the furnace, but He will give immediate grace to bear the flame. Then in v3 David illustrated the object of his faith, “For thou art my rock and my fortress.” He knew God to be, and have been in the past, for what he needed and prayed for now. “Therefore for Thy name’s sake lead me and guide me.” The plea could be threefold: as a shepherd leads his flock, “lead me beside the still waters of divine love”, and where is that to be found but in His Word; as a general leads his army, with greatest skill and strict discipline; as a guide to those who are ignorant and out of the way; what end did David desire this, “For Thy Names Sake.”. David proves the activity of his faith in v4 by petitioning a definite need; by supplicating for immediate help and confessing his utter strengthlessness. How useful do we become when we are brought to see our own weakness. Then the reward of faith, v5, when did deliverance come? At the point of total resignation
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