Psalms 31:1

KJV

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

To the chief Musician {H5329}, A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. In thee, O LORD {H3068}, do I put my trust {H2620}; let me never {H408}{H5769} be ashamed {H954}: deliver {H6403} me in thy righteousness {H6666}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the leader. A psalm of David: In you, ADONAI, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your justice, save me!

Berean Standard Bible

In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness.

American Standard Version

In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge; Let me never be put to shame: Deliver me in thy righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 31:1 opens with a profound declaration of unwavering trust in the Lord, setting the tone for a psalm that navigates deep distress while clinging to divine faithfulness. David, facing overwhelming circumstances, expresses his absolute reliance on God as his refuge, coupled with an earnest plea to be spared from shame and to experience deliverance rooted in God's inherent righteousness. This verse encapsulates the core themes of the psalm: an intimate relationship with a covenant-keeping God, the human fear of disappointment, and the foundational hope in God's just and saving character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 31:1 serves as the foundational declaration of trust at the outset of a lament psalm that transitions into a song of confidence. The superscription, "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David," indicates its liturgical purpose and authorship, suggesting it was intended for public worship and musical performance. The verse immediately establishes David's posture of faith, which undergirds the subsequent cries for help and descriptions of suffering found in verses 2-13. This initial statement of trust is crucial, as it frames the entire psalm not merely as a desperate cry, but as a prayer offered from a heart already anchored in God, even amidst profound anguish. It sets the stage for the psalm's journey from deep despair to renewed hope and praise, culminating in a call for all who love the Lord to be courageous (vv. 23-24).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical backdrop for Psalm 31 is not explicitly stated, David's life was characterized by numerous periods of intense persecution, betrayal, and flight from enemies, whether from King Saul [1 Samuel 23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David Flees from Saul") or his own son Absalom [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion"). In ancient Near Eastern culture, "shame" was a powerful social and personal concept, signifying public disgrace, humiliation, or the failure of one's trust or expectations. To be "ashamed" in this context would mean that David's reliance on God had proven futile, leading to personal and communal disgrace. The plea for deliverance, therefore, was not merely for physical safety but for the vindication of his faith and character before both God and his adversaries. The "chief Musician" designation implies the psalm's role in the communal worship life of Israel, where such prayers of lament and trust would have resonated deeply with a people familiar with hardship and the need for divine intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse introduces several key themes that permeate not only Psalms 31 but the broader Psalter and biblical narrative. The most prominent is **unwavering trust in God**, portraying Him as the ultimate refuge and source of security, a theme echoed powerfully in [Psalm 91](/psalms/91 "Psalm 91 - God Our Refuge and Fortress"). Another vital theme is the **prayer for deliverance from shame and vindication**, reflecting a deep human fear of public disgrace and the desire for God to demonstrate His faithfulness by acting on behalf of His trusting servant. This resonates with similar pleas found throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 25:2](/psalms/25-2 "Psalm 25:2 - Let me not be ashamed"). Finally, the appeal to **God's righteousness** (Hebrew: *tzedeq*) is central. This is not merely an abstract concept of justice, but God's active commitment to uphold what is right, to fulfill His covenant promises, and to rescue those who are oppressed and trust in Him. This aspect of God's character is the very foundation of His saving acts and is a recurring motif, for example, in [Psalm 143:1](/psalms/143-1 "Psalm 143:1 - Hear my prayer, O Lord; in your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** The capitalized "LORD" in the KJV represents the sacred, covenantal name of God, Yahweh (often transliterated as YHWH). This name emphasizes God's personal, relational, and unchanging nature, signifying the God who is eternally present, self-existent, and faithful to His promises and covenant with His people. David's appeal is thus to the specific, intimate God of Israel, not a generic deity.
* **Trust (Hebrew, _chasah'_):** This verb literally means "to flee for refuge," "to seek shelter," or "to confide in." It conveys a strong sense of active reliance and dependence, picturing someone running to a safe haven to escape danger. It's not a passive hope but a deliberate act of placing one's entire being and future into God's protective care, acknowledging Him as the sole source of security.
* **Ashamed (Hebrew, _bosh'_):** This term signifies disappointment, confusion, humiliation, or disgrace. In this context, to be "ashamed" means to have one's expectations dashed, particularly when those expectations are placed upon God. It implies that God would have failed to act, thereby invalidating David's trust and exposing him to public scorn or personal despair. It is a prayer for God's faithfulness to be publicly vindicated.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tzedeq'_):** More than abstract justice, God's *tzedeq* refers to His active commitment to uphold what is right, to fulfill His promises, and to rescue those who are oppressed and trust in Him. It is the very foundation of His saving acts and His covenant faithfulness. David appeals to God's character, trusting that because God is inherently righteous, He will act justly and deliver His faithful servant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust":** This is a bold, personal declaration of absolute dependence. David explicitly states that his refuge and confidence are placed solely in YHWH, the covenant-keeping God. It's an active, volitional choice to seek shelter in God amidst his distress, indicating a deep, established relationship.
* **"let me never be ashamed":** This is a fervent petition. David is praying that his trust in God will be vindicated and that he will not suffer the humiliation or disappointment of God's apparent inaction. It reflects a desire for God's faithfulness to be evident and for his faith not to be proven misplaced, which would lead to personal and public disgrace.
* **"deliver me in thy righteousness":** This is the core appeal for intervention. David does not appeal to his own merit or innocence, but to God's inherent character. He asks for rescue based on God's *tzedeq*—His active justice, integrity, and faithfulness to His covenant. David trusts that because God is righteous, He is bound to act to uphold justice and deliver His faithful servant.

#### Literary Devices
The opening verse of Psalms 31 employs several potent literary devices that enhance its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, as David directly addresses God ("O LORD"), creating an immediate sense of intimacy and direct communication in prayer. The structure also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous or perhaps synthetic, where the ideas of "putting trust" and "being delivered" are closely linked, and "never be ashamed" is the desired outcome of that deliverance. The implied **Metaphor** of God as a refuge or shelter is inherent in the Hebrew word for "trust" (*chasah*), which literally means "to flee for refuge." This paints a vivid picture of David seeking sanctuary in God from his adversaries. Finally, the entire verse functions as a powerful **Petition**, a direct and earnest request for divine intervention, grounded in a declaration of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 31:1 powerfully articulates the biblical theme of God as the ultimate refuge and the cornerstone of human trust. It underscores that true security is found not in human strength, worldly alliances, or personal merit, but in the unwavering character of the covenant-keeping God. David's plea to "never be ashamed" speaks to the profound theological truth that God's faithfulness guarantees the vindication of those who trust in Him; their hope will not be disappointed. The appeal to God's "righteousness" highlights that divine deliverance is not arbitrary but flows from God's very nature—His justice, integrity, and commitment to His covenant people. This righteousness is both the basis for His judgment against evil and His saving action on behalf of the oppressed, demonstrating His active involvement in the affairs of His creation and His unwavering loyalty to those who seek Him.

* [Psalm 25:2](/psalms/25-2 "Psalm 25:2 - Let me not be ashamed")
* [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my rock")
* [Isaiah 45:17](/isaiah/45-17 "Isaiah 45:17 - Israel saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 31:1 offers timeless guidance for believers navigating life's inevitable challenges, betrayals, and uncertainties. David's opening declaration, "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust," serves as a profound call to consciously and actively place our entire reliance upon God, rather than on fleeting human understanding or the unstable promises of the world. This trust is not passive optimism but an intentional act of seeking refuge in the Almighty, which provides an anchor in turbulent times. His subsequent plea, "let me never be ashamed," legitimizes our own prayers for deliverance from situations that threaten to bring us disappointment, humiliation, or a sense of our faith being in vain. It reminds us that it is not a sign of weakness to ask God to vindicate our trust, but rather an acknowledgment of our dependence on Him. Finally, the appeal to "deliver me in thy righteousness" teaches us to ground our petitions not in our own perceived worthiness, but in God's unchanging, just, and faithful character. We can confidently ask for His intervention because His righteousness guarantees His commitment to His people and His promise to act on their behalf.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's declaration of trust, "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust," challenge my own default responses to fear or uncertainty in difficult circumstances?**
* **What "shame" (disappointment, public failure, unfulfilled expectations, or a sense of God's absence) am I currently afraid of, and how can I bring that specific fear to God in prayer, trusting in His vindication?**
* **In what ways does understanding God's active "righteousness" (His justice, integrity, and covenant faithfulness) deepen my confidence and boldness in prayer for deliverance?**

### FAQ
**Why does David pray "let me never be ashamed"? Is it about reputation?**

Answer: While reputation might be a component, David's plea to "never be ashamed" goes much deeper than mere social standing. In the biblical context, to be ashamed (Hebrew: *bosh*) often meant to have one's hope or trust proven false, leading to profound disappointment, confusion, and humiliation. For David, if God did not deliver him, it would imply that his trust in the Lord was misplaced or that God had failed to act faithfully. This would be a spiritual disgrace, undermining the very foundation of his faith and potentially leading others to question God's power or goodness. Thus, it is a prayer for God's faithfulness to be publicly and personally vindicated, demonstrating that those who trust in Him will not be put to shame, a promise echoed in [Romans 10:11](/romans/10-11 "Romans 10:11 - Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame").

**What does "deliver me in thy righteousness" mean? Is God's righteousness only about judgment?**

Answer: "Deliver me in thy righteousness" is a crucial appeal to God's character. God's righteousness (Hebrew: *tzedeq*) is far more comprehensive than just His role as a judge of sin. While it certainly encompasses His perfect justice and judgment, it also refers to His covenant faithfulness, His integrity, and His active commitment to uphold what is right and just, especially on behalf of His covenant people. David is appealing to God's inherent nature to act righteously, which includes rescuing the oppressed, defending the innocent, and fulfilling His promises. He trusts that because God is righteous, He is bound by His own character to intervene and deliver His faithful servant. This concept is beautifully illustrated in passages like [Psalm 143:1](/psalms/143-1 "Psalm 143:1 - Hear my prayer, O Lord; in your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness"), where God's faithfulness and righteousness are intertwined in the act of answering prayer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 31:1, with its profound declaration of trust, plea against shame, and appeal to God's righteousness, finds its ultimate and most perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David's cry for deliverance foreshadows the perfect trust of the Son of God, who, though facing unimaginable suffering and the cross, perfectly embodied the *chasah* (refuge-seeking trust) in His Father. Jesus, "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame" [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame"), perfectly fulfilling David's prayer. His resurrection was the Father's ultimate vindication, demonstrating that His trust was never misplaced, and that God's righteousness was fully satisfied and revealed not only in judging sin but in providing salvation. Through Christ, God "presented [Him] as a sacrifice of atonement... to demonstrate his righteousness" [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement"). Now, those who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ are assured that they "will not be put to shame" [Romans 10:11](/romans/10-11 "Romans 10:11 - Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame"), for in Him, we receive the very righteousness of God [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God"), securing our eternal deliverance and vindication.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 10:11

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Psalms 25:2

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Psalms 22:4

Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

Psalms 22:5

They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

Psalms 71:1

¶ In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

Psalms 71:3

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou [art] my rock and my fortress.

Psalms 143:1

¶ A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness.