Psalm 31:19-24 | The Way of Scripture

Psalm 31:19-24

What can the speaker now say about the fear of being cut off?

Berean Standard Bible

19 How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You! 20 You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His loving devotion in a city under siege. 22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help. 23 Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant. 24 Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.

What is the context?

The closing praise celebrates goodness and shelter from hostile speech. The speaker recalls having said in alarm that he was cut off from God’s sight.

That fear is answered by the testimony that God heard the plea for mercy. The ending calls all the faithful to love the Lord and take courage in hope.

The testimony does not ridicule the earlier distress. It shows that the alarm did not accurately measure the reach of God’s attention.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley reads the fear as a hasty conclusion and the hidden goodness as care not always immediately apparent. The USCCB note describes the ending as thanksgiving within the lament. The BSB’s city under siege differs from the older strong city wording; neither names the city here.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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