HOW GREAT THY GOODNESS!
Psalm 31:19-24.
PSALM 31:19. “The LORD” has plentiful “goodness” “laid up” for those who “fear” Him. It is an inheritance which we can draw upon even in this life! When we “trust” Him, He brings deliverance in full view of a mocking world.
PSALM 31:20. The LORD “hides” believers in “the secret” of His “presence” from the schemes of men (cf. Psalm 91:1). Our ‘life is hid with Christ in God’ (cf. Colossians 3:3)! He “keeps” us from “the strife of tongues” (e.g. ‘slander’ Psalm 31:13; ‘lying lips’ Psalm 31:18).
PSALM 31:21. The LORD receives nothing from us when we “bless” Him because we can never repay Him for all the blessings that He has bestowed upon us (cf. Ephesians 1:3). Nevertheless, it is still appropriate that we should “bless” Him for “His marvellous kindness,” and out of gratitude ‘for all His (gracious) benefits’ (cf. Psalm 103:2). David encourages others to join with Him in offering this form of thanksgiving for some specific personal deliverance.
The reference to “a strong city” may also point us to the church of our Lord Jesus Christ [cf. Isaiah 26:1, where the ‘strong city’ has ‘salvation’ (Yeshua) for ‘walls and bulwarks’].
PSALM 31:22. The Psalmist admits his hasty words, spoken in a momentary lapse in faith: “I am cut off from before thine eyes.” Many a Christian has felt like this, only to be reminded that faith itself is a gift, not a reward. However, as soon as he banished the thought and returned to the business of faithful prayer, “the voice of (his) supplications” was heard.
PSALM 31:23. David moves from thanksgiving to an exhortation to all the LORD’s set-apart people to “love the LORD.” Why? Because “the LORD preserves the faithful” - literally ‘those who stand firm’ or ‘keep faith’ with Him.
It is also of some comfort to the righteous to know that it is the LORD who will dispense justice against “the proud doer” (cf. Psalm 31:18).
PSALM 31:24. “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart” (cf. Psalm 27:14). This seems to be a law of spiritual growth: use it or lose it (cf. Matthew 13:12). The LORD will not fail those who put their “hope” in Him, and look to Him as their sole Deliverer.
