Psalm 31:9-24 – Distress before Deliverance

In these verses the psalmist may be describing another deliverance, or he may be giving an enlarged account of the deliverance he described in the previous verses of the psalm. His description of his trouble is in verses 9-16 and his explanation of his deliverance is in verses 17-22, and then he exhorts other believers (vv. 23-25). 

The troubles affected him emotionally and physically – he was in distress and his bones were wasting (vv. 9-10). His troubles had been prolonged (v. 10) and even his neighbours regarded him as a problem (v. 11). He was isolated, with a sense of having been discarded like a broken vessel, and he was in constant danger from those scheming against him (vv. 12-13).

 

Nevertheless, David retained his faith in his gracious covenant Lord (v. 14), acknowledging that he is the God of providence (v. 15), and able to rescue him from all opponents (vv. 15-16). David believed in the efficacy of prayer and that the Lord in response to his requests could restore both his position and his reputation (v. 17). He also knew that, sometimes, answered prayer can mean judgment for the opponents of God’s people and kingdom (vv. 17-18).

 

David records that the Lord answered his prayer in an incredible way. He knows how to hide his people from destructive schemes and verbal attacks, and his ongoing protection is evidence of his covenant love, shown even when David was trapped in a city by his enemies (vv. 19-21). David acknowledges that he had been terrified that somehow he was no longer in God’s favour, but he gladly states that the Lord had heard his prayerful plea for deliverance (v. 22).

 

Therefore David is able to encourage other believers. He testifies that the Lord will come to their aid, and that even in the darkest of times he preserves his people and does not deal with them as he deals with others. Therefore they too should wait upon him until he helps them as well (vv. 23-24). 

 

While David was undergoing his time of distress, the Lord had been storing up blessings for him, and which overwhelmed him with their abundance once he came to experience them.