Psalm 31 - The Big Picture

Why is David always in trouble?

Psalm 31 Examples

His Need:Refuge, Rescue, Fortress, Rock

His Pain:Shame, affliction, distress, wasted, sorrow, failing, reproach, forgotten, cut off

His Enemies: Hidden net (v. 4), idolaters (v. 6), enemy (v. 8), adversaries (v. 11), schemers (v.13), persecutors (v. 15), wicked (v. 17)

What gives? Is David just whiny?

First, remember that the Psalms weren't really intended to be read one after another like they are some sort of novel. So while they can seem repetitive they wouldn’t if they are used as intended.

Many people choose to study the Psalms thematically rather than in a verse by verse or chapter by chapter method. Which is a totally acceptable way to study them.

I would encourage you regularly incorporate a Psalm into your normal devotional time. Say your are going through the Gospel of John in your devotions. Maybe once or twice a week add a Psalm.

Back to our question why are so many of the Psalms filled with David asking for protection from enemies?

If you had as many enemies as David did you would do the same thing.

First we should ask why did Israel have so many enemies?

That goes back to Genesis 12:1–3 “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.””

When God choose the children of Abraham to be His particular people, that in a sense, put a target on their backs. History certainly substantiates this as well as modern events.

Why then did this one particular Israelite have so many enemies?

This goes back to 2 Samuel 7:8–13 “Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.”

Of the chosen people of Israel the family of David was chosen in particular to be the line of the Messiah. Which again would put a target on his back perhaps even more intense than that of Israel as a whole.

This takes us back to Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.””

David lived approximately 1000 years before Jesus. That means that Satan had all that time to break the line of David, and he sure tried.

Many of David’s descendants gave in to sin.

Many of them met violent ends.

For all of that when the Messiah was born He was in the line of David.

How do the Psalms fit with the rest of Scripture?

It is fascinating to see how often the Psalms support the theology and claims made through out the Bible.

The Psalms confirm the place of singing in Christian worship.

Have you ever asked the question why did God create music?

Psalm 30:4 “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.”

I do not consider it to be wrong or sinful to listen to music for the purpose of entertainment or enjoyment.

However, we must recognize that music’s highest calling is worship.

It was created for His glory not solely our enjoyment.

Music has a particular capability to arrest our attention and focus our hearts on the Lord. This is why any music that promotes or exalts the immoral is particularly dangerous. The thing about music is that it sticks with you. You will find yourself humming the tune long after the song has ended. So examine your choices. What are you filling your heart and your head with?

Examples of Worship from Psalm 31

Psalm 31:14 “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.””

Psalm 31:21 “Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.”

Psalm 31:23 “Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.”

The Psalms confirm the nature and attributes of God.

God is our:

Refuge

Fortress

Rock

Deliverer

Guide

Rescuer

Redeemer

God is:

Righteous

Strong

Faithful

Trustworthy

Loving

Gracious

Good

Blessed

Merciful

The Psalms provide biblical expressions of emotion.

Notice the exclamation points!

Deliver me! v. 1

Save me! v. 2

I hate v. 6

I will rejoice v. 7

I am in distress v. 9

grief v. 9

Sighing v. 10

Shame v. 1, 17

Be strong

Be courageous

Where do we find Jesus in the Psalms?

The book of Psalms is a collection of inspired songs used in worship of God, and many of them foretell the coming of the Messiah and predict events that were fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. In total, twenty-five different psalms (one out of every six psalms) include at least one messianic prophecy. Messianic psalms are quoted in eleven New Testament books, especially the gospels and the book of Acts. Below are nearly seventy specific references to Christ in the Psalms fulfilled in the New Testament. Some scholars see additional allusions, but we’ve only included those with the clearest connections to Jesus. The following list provides the reference(s) in Psalms where each prophecy is found and the New Testament fulfillment: Concerning the Messiah’s birth: 1. The Messiah will come from the lineage of David (Psalm 89:3–4, 29–36; 132:11–17; Matthew 1:1). 2. The Messiah will come for all people (Psalm 18:49; Ephesians 3:4–6). 3. The Messiah will know His Father from childhood (Psalm 22:9; Luke 2:40). 4. The Messiah will be called by God while still in the womb (Psalm 22:10; Luke 1:30–33). Concerning the Messiah’s nature and name: 5. The Messiah will be called King of the Jews (Psalm 2:6; John 12:12–13; 18:32). 6. The Messiah will be the Son of God (Psalm 2:7; Luke 1:31–35; Matthew 3:16–17; Hebrews 1:5–6). 7. The Messiah is God (Psalm 45:6–7b; Hebrews 1:8–9). 8. The Messiah will call God His Father (Psalm 89:26; Matthew 11:27). 9. The Messiah will be God’s only “begotten” Son (Psalm 89:27; Mark 16:6; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5). 10. The Messiah will be eternal (Psalm 102:25–27a; Revelation 1:8; Hebrews 1:10–12). 11. The Messiah is the creator of all things (Psalm 102:25–27b; John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 1:10–12). 12. The Messiah will be Lord and King (Psalm 110:1a; Matthew 22:41–45). 13. The Messiah will be a Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 6:17–20). 14. The Messiah will be the “Stone” rejected by the builders (Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42–43). Concerning the Messiah’s ministry: 15. Infants will give praise to the Messiah (Psalm 8:2; Matthew 21:15–16). 16. The Messiah will reveal that the Hebrew Scriptures were written of Him (Psalm 40:6–8b; Luke 24:44; John 5:39–40). 17. The Messiah will do God’s (His Father’s) will (Psalm 40:7–8; John 5:30). 18. The Messiah will not conceal His mission from believing people (Psalm 40:9–10; Luke 4:16–21). 19. The Messiah will communicate a message of mercy (Psalm 45:2; 55:12–14; Luke 4:22). 20. The Messiah will be angered by unethical practices by the Jews in the temple (Psalm 69:9a; John 2:13–17). 21. The Messiah will teach in parables (Psalm 78:2; Matthew 13:34–35). 22. The Messiah will calm the stormy sea (Psalm 107:28–29; Matthew 8:24–26). 23. The Messiah will act with righteousness (Psalm 45:6–7c; John 5:30). 24. The Messiah will come in the name of the Lord (Psalm 118:26; Matthew 21:9). Concerning the Messiah’s betrayal and death: 25. Political/religious leaders will conspire against the Messiah (Psalm 2:1–3; Matthew 26:3–4; Mark 3:6). 26. The Messiah will feel forsaken by God at His crucifixion (Psalm 22:1b; Mark 15:34). 27. The Messiah will pray without ceasing before His death (Psalm 22:2; Matthew 26:38–39). 28. The Messiah will be despised and rejected by His own (Psalm 22:6; Luke 23:21–23). 29. The Messiah will be mocked (Psalm 22:7; 109:25; Matthew 27:39). 30. Unbelievers will say to the Messiah, “He trusted in God, let Him now deliver Him” (Psalm 22:8; Matthew 27:41–43). 31. The Messiah will be abandoned by His disciples (Psalm 22:11; 69:20; Mark 14:50). 32. The Messiah will be encompassed by wicked beings (Psalm 22:12–13; Colossians 2:15). 33. From the Messiah’s body will flow blood and water (Psalm 22:14a; John 19:34). 34. The Messiah will be crucified (Psalm 22:14b; Matthew 27:35). 35. The Messiah will thirst while dying (Psalm 22:15; 69:21; John 19:28). 36. The Messiah will be observed by Gentiles at His crucifixion (Psalm 22:16a; Luke 23:36). 37. The Messiah will be observed by Jews at His crucifixion (Psalm 22:16b; Matthew 27:41–43). 38. The Messiah’s hands and feet will be pierced (Psalm 22:16c; Matthew 27:38; John 20:25). 39. The Messiah’s garments will be parted among the soldiers through the casting of lots (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23–24). 40. The Messiah will be accused by false witnesses (Psalm 27:12; 35:11; 109:2; Matthew 26:59–61). 41. The Messiah will cry out to God, “Into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46). 42. There will be many attempts to kill the Messiah (Psalm 31:13; Matthew 27:1). 43. The Messiah will have no bones broken (Psalm 34:20; John 19:32–33). 44. The Messiah will be hated without cause (Psalm 35:19; John 18:19–23; 15:24–25). 45. The Messiah will be silent as a lamb before His accusers (Psalm 38:13–14; Matthew 26:62–63). 46. The Messiah will be God’s sacrificial lamb for redemption of all mankind (Psalm 40:6–8a; Hebrews 10:10–13). 47. The Messiah will be betrayed by one of His own disciples (Psalm 41:9; Mark 14:17–18). 48. The Messiah will be hated and rejected without cause (Psalm 69:4; Luke 23:13–22; John 15:24–25). 49. The Messiah will be condemned for God’s sake (Psalm 69:7, 9; Matthew 26:65–67; Romans 15:3). 50. The Messiah will be rejected by the Jews (Psalm 69:8a; John 1:11). 51. The Messiah’s very own brothers will reject Him (Psalm 69:8b; John 7:3–5). 52. The Messiah’s heart will be broken (Psalm 69:20a; John 19:34). 53. The Messiah will be offered gall mingled with vinegar while dying (Psalm 69:21a; Matthew 27:34). 54. The Messiah will offer up prayer for His enemies (Psalm 109:4; Luke 23:34). 55. The Messiah’s betrayer will have a short life (Psalm 109:8a; Acts 1:16–18; John 17:12). 56. The Messiah’s betrayer will be replaced by a more faithful man (Psalm 109:8b; Acts 1:20–26). Concerning the Messiah’s resurrection and exaltation: 57. The Messiah will be resurrected (Psalm 16:8–10a; Matthew 28:6; Acts 2:25–32). 58. The Messiah’s body will not see corruption (natural decay) (Psalm 16:8–10b; Acts 13:35–37). 59. The Messiah will be glorified into the presence of God (Psalm 16:11; Acts 2:25–33). 60. The Messiah will ask God for His inheritance (Psalm 2:8a; John 17:4–24). 61. The Messiah will have complete authority over all things (Psalm 2:8b–9; 8:6; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:1–2). 62. The Messiah will destroy those who do not honor Him (Psalm 2:12; John 3:36). 63. The Messiah will bring many people into the family of God (Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:10–12; Matthew 12:50; John 20:14). 64. The Messiah’s enemies will stumble and fall (Psalm 27:2; John 18:3–6). 65. The Messiah’s throne will be eternal (Psalm 45:6–7a; Luke 1:31–33; Hebrews 1:8–9). 66. The Messiah will ascend back into heaven (Psalm 68:18a; Luke 24:51; Ephesians 4:8). 67. The Messiah will give good gifts unto believing men (Psalm 68:18b; Matthew 10:1; Ephesians 4:7–11). 68. The Messiah will be exalted to the right hand of God (Psalm 80:17; 110:1, 5; Acts 5:31). (Adapted with permission from Shalach.org)