Psalms
Chapter
Psalms is a collection of poems written over a long period of time by various authors. They express the heart of humanity in all generations through a variety of religious experiences. Originally the poems were chanted or sung to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument. One of the characteristics of this Hebrew poetry is parallelism; that is, the second line reiterates the idea of the first line.
Psalm 31
31:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
31:2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
31:4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
31:8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.
31:9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
31:11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
31:13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
31:14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
31:16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
31:17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
31:18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath showed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
31:22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.