BE STRONG AND TAKE HEART IN THE LORD
Passage: Psalm 31:1~24  
Key verse: 24
Psalm 31[a](A)For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;(B)
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.(C)
2 Turn your ear to me,(D)
come quickly to my rescue;(E)
be my rock of refuge,(F)
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,(G)
for the sake of your name(H) lead and guide me.
4 Keep me free from the trap(I) that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.(J)
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;(K)
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.(L)
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;(M)
as for me, I trust in the Lord.(N)
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction(O)
and knew the anguish(P) of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hands(Q) of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.(R)
9 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;(S)
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,(T)
my soul and body(U) with grief.
10 My life is consumed by anguish(V)
and my years by groaning;(W)
my strength fails(X) because of my affliction,[b](Y)
and my bones grow weak.(Z)
11 Because of all my enemies,(AA)
I am the utter contempt(AB) of my neighbors(AC)
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;(AD)
I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering,(AE)
“Terror on every side!”(AF)
They conspire against me(AG)
and plot to take my life.(AH)
14 But I trust(AI) in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times(AJ) are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine(AK) on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.(AL)
17 Let me not be put to shame,(AM) Lord,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and be silent(AN) in the realm of the dead.
18 Let their lying lips(AO) be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly(AP) against the righteous.
19 How abundant are the good things(AQ)
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,(AR)
on those who take refuge(AS) in you.
20 In the shelter(AT) of your presence you hide(AU) them
from all human intrigues;(AV)
you keep them safe in your dwelling
from accusing tongues.
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;(B)
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.(C)
2 Turn your ear to me,(D)
come quickly to my rescue;(E)
be my rock of refuge,(F)
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,(G)
for the sake of your name(H) lead and guide me.
4 Keep me free from the trap(I) that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.(J)
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;(K)
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.(L)
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;(M)
as for me, I trust in the Lord.(N)
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction(O)
and knew the anguish(P) of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hands(Q) of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.(R)
9 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;(S)
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,(T)
my soul and body(U) with grief.
10 My life is consumed by anguish(V)
and my years by groaning;(W)
my strength fails(X) because of my affliction,[b](Y)
and my bones grow weak.(Z)
11 Because of all my enemies,(AA)
I am the utter contempt(AB) of my neighbors(AC)
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;(AD)
I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering,(AE)
“Terror on every side!”(AF)
They conspire against me(AG)
and plot to take my life.(AH)
14 But I trust(AI) in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times(AJ) are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine(AK) on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.(AL)
17 Let me not be put to shame,(AM) Lord,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and be silent(AN) in the realm of the dead.
18 Let their lying lips(AO) be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly(AP) against the righteous.
19 How abundant are the good things(AQ)
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,(AR)
on those who take refuge(AS) in you.
20 In the shelter(AT) of your presence you hide(AU) them
from all human intrigues;(AV)
you keep them safe in your dwelling
from accusing tongues.
Footnotes
- Psalm 31:1 In Hebrew texts 31:1-24 is numbered 31:2-25.
- Psalm 31:10 Or guilt
Cross references
- Psalm 31:1 : 31:1-4pp — Ps 71:1-3
- Psalm 31:1 : S Ps 7:1
- Psalm 31:1 : Ps 5:8
- Psalm 31:2 : S Ps 6:4
- Psalm 31:2 : S Ex 2:17
- Psalm 31:2 : S 2Sa 22:3; S Ps 18:2
- Psalm 31:3 : S Ps 18:2
- Psalm 31:3 : S Ps 23:3
- Psalm 31:4 : S 1Sa 28:9; S Job 18:10
- Psalm 31:4 : Ps 9:9
- Psalm 31:5 : Lk 23:46; Ac 7:59
- Psalm 31:5 : Isa 45:19; 65:16
- Psalm 31:6 : S Dt 32:21
- Psalm 31:6 : S Ps 4:5
- Psalm 31:7 : S Ps 13:3
- Psalm 31:7 : S Ps 25:17; Lk 22:44
- Psalm 31:8 : S Dt 32:30
- Psalm 31:8 : S 2Sa 22:20
- Psalm 31:9 : Ps 4:1
- Psalm 31:9 : Ps 6:7
- Psalm 31:9 : Ps 63:1
- Psalm 31:10 : ver 7
- Psalm 31:10 : Ps 6:6
- Psalm 31:10 : Ps 22:15; 32:4; 38:10; 73:26
- Psalm 31:10 : Ps 25:18
- Psalm 31:10 : S Ps 6:2
- Psalm 31:11 : Dt 30:7; Ps 3:7; 25:19; 102:8
- Psalm 31:11 : S Ps 22:6
- Psalm 31:11 : Ps 38:11
- Psalm 31:12 : Ps 28:1; 88:4
- Psalm 31:13 : S Lev 19:16; Ps 50:20
- Psalm 31:13 : S Job 18:11; Isa 13:8; Jer 6:25; 20:3, 10; 46:5; 49:5; La 2:22
- Psalm 31:13 : Ps 41:7; 56:6; 71:10; 83:3
- Psalm 31:13 : S Ge 37:18; S Mt 12:14
- Psalm 31:14 : Ps 4:5
- Psalm 31:15 : S Job 14:5
- Psalm 31:16 : S Nu 6:25
- Psalm 31:16 : S Ps 6:4
- Psalm 31:17 : S Ps 22:5
- Psalm 31:17 : 1Sa 2:9; Ps 94:17; 115:17
- Psalm 31:18 : Ps 120:2; Pr 10:18; 26:24
- Psalm 31:18 : S 1Sa 2:3; Jude 1:15
- Psalm 31:19 : S Ps 27:13; Ro 11:22
- Psalm 31:19 : Ps 23:5
- Psalm 31:19 : Ps 2:12
- Psalm 31:20 : Ps 55:8
- Psalm 31:20 : S Ps 17:8
- Psalm 31:20 : S Ge 37:18
- Psalm 31:21 : Ps 28:6
- Psalm 31:21 : S Ps 17:7
- Psalm 31:21 : 1Sa 23:7
- Psalm 31:22 : Ps 116:11
- Psalm 31:22 : Job 6:9; 17:1; Ps 37:9; 88:5; Isa 38:12
- Psalm 31:22 : Ps 6:9; 66:19; 116:1; 145:19
- Psalm 31:23 : S Ps 4:3
- Psalm 31:23 : S Ps 18:25; Rev 2:10
- Psalm 31:23 : Dt 32:41; Ps 94:2
- Psalm 31:24 : Ps 27:14
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
The LORD was David's rock, fortress, and refuge. Because of that, David put his trust in God. He trusted God's faithfulness with his very soul, saying 'Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.' The LORD is the only one we can trust in this way. He sees our need, knows our anguish, protects us from our enemies, and sets us free. Even in desperate times, we can trust him and rejoice in his love as David did.
2. 'You are my God.' (10-24)
David was surrounded on all sides by enemies who whispered and conspired against him. His distress was so great that his body and soul were consumed with sorrow, and he felt like dying. Yet, his faith and resolve were solid. 'But I trust in you, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.'' David knew that God was much bigger than his circumstances and
that the goodness of God would prevail. God has an abundance of good things stored up for his people. He hides us in his presence and shields us from our enemies. Is your hope in him? Then be strong and take heart. He is our God!
Prayer: Father, have mercy on us and deliver us.
One Word: Deliver me, LORD, my faithful God