By Will Kynes, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Samford University
WEATHERING THE BLUES
Psalm 31:1–8
Noting the “happy-clappy” tendency of contemporary Christian worship, Carl Trueman once asked, “What do miserable Christians sing?”
Psalm 31 provides an answer.
Here, the psalmist honestly confesses his spiritual depression, his loneliness and anxiety. Rather than ignoring or hiding these emotions, he battles through them to find hope in God.
His honesty pulls God down into his situation, so that God can lift him out of it.
Problems and concerns can weigh us down emotionally. (1–2)
The psalmist begins by asking God to hear his prayer and deliver him, but only later does he describe the distress he is facing.
Sorrow has consumed him, body and soul (vv. 9–10), as his friends and neighbors have abandoned him to his enemies, who plot to take his life (vv. 11–13).
With nowhere else to turn, he has taken refuge in the Lord, pleading with Him to be his “rock of refuge” and “strong fortress.”
Take your concerns to God. (3–4)
The psalmist then affirms his faith that God is precisely what he had just asked God to be — a rock, fortress and refuge.
In fact, he builds his petition that God lead, guide and protect him on these characteristics of God, which he presents as established facts. In effect, he pleads with God to act toward him in accord with His revealed character.
Coaxing God to intervene on the psalmist’s behalf “for the sake of [God’s] name” has the same rhetorical effect.
In other words, the psalmist is declaring that his affliction gives God an opportunity to demonstrate His character as a powerful and caring God, thereby bringing glory to His name.
In the prophetic books, both the prophets and God make this same argument.
Jeremiah pleads, “For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne” (Jer. 14:21).
God declares, “For My own name’s sake I delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I hold it back from you” (Isa. 48:9; cf. Ezek. 20:9, 14, 22, 44).
The way the psalmist’s trust envelops his worry is reflected in the New Testament. In 1 Peter we read, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on Him, because He cares about you” (1 Pet. 5:6–7).
As for the psalmist, here also God’s might provides comfort.
Jesus, however, emphasizes His own humility, as He delivers an invitation into His care, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
“Take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30).
Trust God to carry you through. (5–8)
Jesus demonstrated this type of complete trust in God as He quoted this psalm on the cross: “Into your hands I commit My spirit” (see also Luke 23:46).
Jesus’ victory over death is the supreme testimony to God’s character as a “faithful God,” who will “deliver” those who put their trust in Him (v. 5), rather than one of the “worthless idols” in which we may be tempted to put our hopes (v. 6).
As the Father saw the Son’s affliction, knew His anguish and delivered Him from the ultimate enemy — death — so He showed the wonders of His love to the psalmist (v. 21), and so He will to those who trust in Him today.
As the psalmist concludes, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (v. 24).
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