TERROR-Psalm 31

Old Testament, Psalms, Sermons

Psalm 31:1 - Bible verse - DailyVerses.net** Have you ever felt completely stuck and in serious trouble with no way out no matter where you turn?

The Stress and Distress of a Supreme Crisis. “In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness” (Ps 31:1).

TERROR: “For I hear many whispering, ‘Terror on every side!’ They conspire against me and plot to take my life” (Ps 31:13).

Psalm 31, a psalm of David, expresses pleas for deliverance and expressions of trust in God. It reflects David’s experiences of distress, his confidence in God’s protection, and his gratitude for God’s faithfulness. It’s a powerful example of how to turn to God in times of trouble and find refuge in His love [hesed] (Ps 31:7, 21).
Psalm 31 Psalm 31 has impressed itself deeply in biblical characters at moments of supreme crisis—thus meeting a great variety of human needs beyond the original experiences of the author.
  • Jonah‘s prayer (Ps 31:6; Jon 2:8); 
  • Jeremiah (Ps 31:13; Jer 6:25; 20:3, 10; 46:5; 49:29; Lam 2:22); 
  • Jesus‘ last utterance on the cross (Ps 31:5; Lk 23:46; [Ac 7:59]); 
  • the writer of Ps 71:1-3 (Ps 31:1-3).
An unusual feature is that it makes the journey twice from anguish to assurance: 1-8 and again in 9-24. The tone vacillates between lament and thanksgiving, but the nature of the troubles is unclear. Is he looking for divine protection (1-8)? Is he sick (9-12)? Wrongly accused (13-18)?

At the end of one’s tether, a place called prayer:

  1. David’s prayer for deliverance (1-5)
  2. David’s trust in God’s faithfulness (6-8)
  3. David’s distress and plea for mercy (9-13)
  4. David’s renewed faith and praise (14-18)
  5. David’s praise for God’s goodness (19-22)
  6. Exortation to love and trust God (23-24).
Pleas for deliverance are from the intrigues, plots and conspiracies of an enemy (Ps 31:13, 20). He appeals to the “God of truth” (Ps 31:5) for protection from the “lying lips,”  arrogant speech (Ps 31:18) and “accusing tongues” (Ps 31:20). God is envisioned as a “strong fortress” and “refuge” (Ps 31:1-3) to be proteced from attack and not put to shame (Ps 31:1, 17) from being publicly slandered (Ps 31:13).
  1. What is David’s plea (Ps 31:1, 4, 15-16, 17-18)?
    • What metaphors does he use to describe God’s protection (Ps 31:2-3)? [Also Ps 18:2; 71:3; 2 Sam 22:2-3]
    • How does this compare with Jesus’ words on the cross (Ps 31:5; Lk 23:46)?
    • When have you applied such trust in your own life?
  2. To truly trust God what must you not cling to and why (Ps 31:6)? [Ps 40:4; Jon 2:8; Isa 44:9-20]
    • In times of great afliction and anguish how sure are you of God’s love [hesed] and why (Ps 31:7-8, 21-22; 32:10)? How have you experienced God’s love in your life?
  3. How does his distress affect him physically and emotionally (Ps 31:9-12)? [Ps 69:20]
    • How was Jeremiah, Job and Jesus’ experiences similar and why (Ps 31:13; Jer 6:25; 20:3, 10; 46:5; 49:29; Lam 2:22)? [Job 19:13-19; Mt 26:36-39]
    • Have you encountered such times of trials, tribulations, distress and suffering?
  4. How does David’s attitude shift (Ps 31:14)? What does he ask of God (Ps 31:15-18)?
    • How do you trust God in your own troubles (Rom 8:28)? [Ps 25:20; Rom 8:31-39]
  5. Who are those who experience God’s goodness (Ps 31:19-20)? [Ps 91:1-2; 23:5]
    • How does this relate to Jesus’ teachings (Mt 6:25ff)?
  6. How do you encourage those who are faithful (Ps 31:23-24)? [Dt 6:5; Jos 1:9; 1 Cor 16:13] Contrast God’s treatment of the proud versus the faithful (Ps 31:23).
  • What does this psalm teach you about perseverance in faith during difficult times (Jas 1:2-4; 1 Pet 1:6-7)?
  • How does David’s experience foreshadow Christ’s suffering and ultimate victory (Heb 5:7-9)? Did Jesus experience “terror on every side” (Ps 31:13)? Have you?
  • What can you learn from David’s example of honest prayer and trust in God (Phil 4:6-7)?

References:

  1. Kidner. 1973. Stress. [Wilson. 2002]
    1. The hunted man (1-8). Into your hands (1-8) [Keller].
      1. Prayer of faith (1-6). Plea for deliverance (Ps 31:1-5).
      2. Praise (7-8).  Commitment and confidence (Ps 31:6-8).
    2. The rejected man (9-24).  My times (9-18) [Keller]. 
      1. Isolation (9-13).  Plea for mercy (Ps 31:9-13).
      2. Prayer of faith (14-18).Trust & anticipation of deliverance (14-18).
      3. Final act of praise (19-24). Feelings and reality [Keller].
        1. Proclamation of God’s goodness (Ps 31:19-20).
        2. Call to praise (Ps 31:21-24).
  2. Longman III, Garland. 2008. How Great is Your Goodness. Absence; anguish; prayer; presence; thanksgiving. Prayer (1-18). Thanksgiving (19-24).
  3. Motyer. 2016. At the end of one‘s tether, a place called prayer.
  4. Goldingay. 2013. They’re trying to wash us away. Declaring God’s faithfulness in our prayer. LeBoutillier. Shelter from Trouble in the Secret Place of God’s presence. Guzik.

10/13/24. Psalm 31 for a group of domestic violence victims:

Psalm 31 is a prayer for deliverance and an expression of trust in God during times of distress. It speaks to those who feel trapped, betrayed, and worn down by their circumstances. The psalmist cries out to God as a refuge and fortress, asking for protection from those who seek to harm them.

Key messages that may resonate with survivors of domestic violence include:

  1. You are not alone – God sees your suffering and hears your cries for help.
  2. It’s okay to feel distressed and to ask for help and protection.
  3. There is hope for freedom and a future beyond your current pain.
  4. You have inherent worth and are loved, despite what abusers may say.
  5. Trust that there are those who will support and shelter you in your time of need.

The psalm ends with encouragement to be strong and take heart, reminding us that there is hope even in the darkest times.

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