Bible Commentaries
Psalms 31

Verses 1-24

In this great song of trust struggling through tears to triumph, we have a fine example of an experience often repeated in the history of the children of faith. There are three divisions. In the first (1-8), the double sense of trust and trials clearly manifest. In the second (9-18), the trial seems for a time almost to have overcome the trust, so keen is the consciousness thereof. In the last (19-24), trust has completely triumphed and the sense of the singer is the sense of perfect safety in the pavilion of Jehovah.

In the first, the soul of the singer valiantly affirms its confidence and pleads for help. In the second, the affirmation of trust is in a past tense and the present is one of trial and tears. In the last, trust is a condition which needs no formal declaration but sings itself out in victory and gladness. In this song we find the seasons of the soul as we know them all sooner or later. First, autumn with its winds and gathering clouds, yet having sunlight and a golden fruitage even though the breath of death is everywhere (1-8). Then follows winter, chin and lifeless, full of sobs and sighing (9-13). After that the spring with its hope and expectation and its sweeping rains and bursting sun gleams (14-18). At last the glad and golden summer (19-24). We need them all to complete our year!