Copy of Psalm Book PDF

Psalm 31 What a blessed truth to understand that, in the middle of all our difficulties and calamities, we have a refuge. - A.W. Tozer

David is thought to have been fleeing from Saul at the time he wrote this psalm, but no matter the context of its writing, it speaks to us because we are people who seek to serve and follow the same, never changing God.

The opening verse sets the tone for this psalm and gives us a beautiful picture of God’s position with us: He is our refuge, honor, and savior.

David expresses a spectrum of emotions in this psalm as he seeks God in his troubles; he says he is afflicted, troubled of soul, distressed, frustrated, consumed by grief, wasting away from iniquity, ridiculed, dreaded by others, forgotten. A real person seeking God in moments of incertitude. In our moments of doubt, fear, anxiety, and shame; where do we go? Whom do we seek? David steps into those realities and speaks profoundly: “For you are my rock and my fortress; you lead and guide me for your name’s sake. You will free me from the net that is secretly set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I entrust my spirit; you have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth.” (vs 3-5) Throughout the psalm David calls on God to be who God IS. God is our rock, He is our fortress, He is our refuge. He is the god of truth who leads, guides, and redeems us. In our moments of grief, ridicule, iniquity, and forgottenness, we need to remember who redeems, who loves faithfully, and who knows and sees us. David ends the psalm by calling all the faithful to love the Lord, be strong, and to let our hearts be courageous because we serve the God who is our rock, refuge, and fortress in every moment. Take time to sit with Jesus and think about the reality of Him as our faithful refuge that redeems us. “Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.” (v. 24)