Psalm

Psalm 31

My favorite Psalm would is Psalm thirty one. This Psalm would be classified by German scholar Herman Gunkel as a lament Psalm. I love David's emotion and wisdom. He speaks as a man who personally knows God. He is assured of his position with the Lord and speaks with authority. David pleads for Gods protection and he receives it.

King David reveals the pressures of his life; many were conspiring to kill him. Never the less, he remained confident in the Lords protection over him. David displayed a great deal of faith and confidence in the Lord. In Psalms thirty one we find David afflicted, tired and faithful, "But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me." (31:14-15, New International Version). Psalms thirty one paints a good picture of this man's faith.

I am inspired by this psalm of David. I personally find my relationship with the Lord to be distant. I can only assume that it is due to my struggles with discipline, sin and guilt. But the psalmist, from experience tells us about the goodness of God's love towards those who obey his commands. He exclaims, "Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love." (Psalm 31:12). To be in a close relationship with God like David, this would fill the hearts of men.

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city." (Psalm 31:19-22).

It is clear that God has a plan for all men even evil men. I can only conclude that God works with the personalities and heart of man. If the man is evil and does evil, God still receives the glory from the evil man's nature and He punishes him. For a good man, God also sees the Glory from his nature but he also rewards him with peace and comfort. Lack of fear is an exciting concept to me. None of this would be true today without our Lord Jesus Christ, insistently praying for the saints.