MEDITATIONS IN THE PSALMS [An outline of the Psalm, A good devotional study when using the scriptures indicated] Psalm 31:7-13 David’s Continued Compilations We continue in Ps. 31 with David’s collection of thoughts from his life. Vs 5-8 he moves to Hebron following Saul’s death (2 Sam2:1-7). And vs. 9-13, his thoughts filled with remorse and grief are of his sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. After having testified of his confidence in Jehovah and entering a plea for help in vs. 1-6 he expresses gratitude for mercies received in vs. 7-8. “I will be glad and rejoice in Thy mercy.” He anticipates future mercy, “I will be glad …” How so? Because he had received mercy in the past and because covenant mercy endures forever, “Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” “For Thou Jehovah hast considered my trouble,” You have seen it, weighed it, directed it, and set a bound to it. Satan could try Job, but no further. He could destroy his property, his family, his health, he could turn his helpmeet against him as well as his friends, but he could not destroy his life. Jehovah certainly considered Job’s trouble, He brought him into it. He must consider the saints troubles, it’s as He Himself, Acts 9. Thou hast known my soul in adversities.” How well does He know them? Dan.3:19; 6:16-22. “My soul” in “adversities” “and hath not shut me up to the hand of the enemy.” To be ‘shut up’ is to be delivered over absolutely. The believer has not been delivered over to the power of death, the devil, nor man; as he has been delivered rather from the power of them. From death comes in two stages (Eph.2:1-6 & I Cor.15:51-58); from the devil (Heb.2:9-15); and from man (Matt.10:28; Heb.13:5-6; Pro.29:25). There may be times when the enemy gets a temporary advantage over us, but like a man in prison with the doors left open we always have the way of escape. “Thou hast set my feet in a large room”; oh the blessed liberty of the redeemed, “God has called us to liberty” (Gal.5:13; Rom.8:15) In vs. 9-13 David describes his case in particular; a lesson in prayer! He expresses his confidence in his covenant God (v1); presents his plea for help (2-5); establishes his position in the society of men (6); rejoices in mercy not yet received, but considered it as already experienced (7-8). Comes back to describe his case in particular (9). Do we have ground for such a case? (Ps.46:1). None ever cried to the Great Helper who did receive help (Matt.15:21; Mark 9:17-27); Acts 16:9). “My eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.” Have you ever been troubled all the way down to the pit of your stomach? That is a state of misery; misery moves mercy when nothing else will. V10 He spent day after day in the dungeon of distress pleading for just enough mercy to forbid the dungeon of despair next door. Sometimes a season of distress seems a lifetime, and days of discouragement become as years. Generally at the bottom of our trouble and sorrow we will find sin lurking there (10b). You might have thought at the beginning of this psalm some opposing nation and heathen king was behind David’s trouble, but not so, it was probably his foulest sin given wings. ~~WTW
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