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Commentary on Psalms 31 verses 19–24
We have three things in these verses: -
I. The believing acknowledgment which David makes of God's goodness to his people in general, Psa 31:19, Psa 31:20.
1.God is good to all, but he is, in a special manner, good to Israel. His goodness to them is wonderful, and will be, to eternity, matter of admiration: O how great is thy goodness! How profound are the counsels of it! how rich are the treasures of it! how free and extensive are the communications of it! Those very persons whom men load with slanders God loads with benefits and honours. Those who are interested in this goodness are described to be such as fear God and trust in him, as stand in awe of his greatness and rely on his grace. This goodness is said to be laid up for them and wrought for them. (1.) There is a goodness laid up for them in the other world, an inheritance reserved in heaven (Pe1 1:4), and there is a goodness wrought for them in this world, goodness wrought in them. There is enough in God's goodness both for the portion and inheritance of all his children when they come to their full age, and for their maintenance and education during their minority. There is enough in bank and enough in hand. (2.) This goodness is laid up in his promise for all that fear God, to whom assurance is given that they shall want no good thing. But it is wrought, in the actual performance of the promise, for those that trust in him - that by faith take hold of the promise, put it in suit, and draw out to themselves the benefit and comfort of it. If what is laid up for us in the treasures of the everlasting covenant be not wrought for us, it is our own fault, because we do not believe. But those that trust in God, as they have the comfort of his goodness in their own bosoms, so they have the credit of it (and the credit of an estate goes far with some); it is wrought for them before the sons of men. God's goodness to them puts an honour upon them and rolls away their reproach; for all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed, Isa 61:9.
2.God preserves man and beast; but he is, in a special manner, the protector of his own people (Psa 31:20): Thou shalt hide them. As his goodness is hid and reserved for them, so they are hid and preserved for it. The saints are God's hidden ones. See here, (1.) The danger they are in, which arises from the pride of man and from the strife of tongues; proud men insult over them and would trample on them and tread them down; contentious men pick quarrels with them; and, when tongues are at strife, good people often go by the worst. The pride of men endangers their liberty; the strife of tongues in perverse disputings endangers truth. But, (2.) See the defence they are under: Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence, in a pavilion. God's providence shall keep them safe form the malice of their enemies. He has many ways of sheltering them. When Baruch and Jeremiah were sought for the Lord hid them, Jer 36:26. God's grace shall keep them safe from the evil of the judgments that are abroad; to them they have no sting; and they shall hidden in the day of the Lord's anger, for there is no anger at them. His comforts shall keep them easy and cheerful; his sanctuary, where they have communion with him, shelters then from the fiery darts of terror and temptation; and the mansions in his house above shall be shortly, shall be eternally, their hiding-place from all danger and fear.
II. The thankful returns which David makes for God's goodness to him in particular, Psa 31:21, Psa 31:22. Having admired God's goodness to all the saints, he here owns how good he had found him. 1. Without were fightings; but God had wonderfully preserved his life: "He has shown me his marvellous loving-kindness, he has given me an instance of his care for me and favour to me, beyond what I could have expected." God's loving-kindness to his people, all things considered, is wonderful; but some instances of it, even in this world, are in a special manner marvelous in their eyes; as this here, when God preserved David from the sword of Saul, in caves and woods, as safe as if he had been in a strong city. In Keilah, that strong city, God showed him great mercy, both in making him an instrument to rescue the inhabitants out of the hands of the Philistines and then in rescuing him from the same men who would have ungratefully delivered him up into the hand of Saul, Sa1 23:5, Sa1 23:12. This was marvellous loving-kindness indeed, upon which he writes, with wonder and thankfulness, Blessed be the Lord. Special preservations call for particular thanksgivings. 2. Within were fears; but God was better to him than his fears, Psa 31:22. He here keeps an account, (1.) Of his own folly, in distrusting God, which he acknowledges, to his shame. Though he had express promises to build upon, and great experience of God's care concerning him in many straits, yet he had entertained this hard and jealous thought of God, and could not forbear telling it him to his face. "I am cut off before thy eyes; thou hast quite forsaken me, and I must not expect to be looked upon or regarded by thee any more. I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul, and so be cut off before thy eyes, be ruined while thou lookest on," Sa1 27:1. This he said in his flight (so some read it), which denotes the distress of his affairs. Saul was just at his back, and ready to seize him, which made the temptation strong. In my haste (so we read it), which denotes the disturbance and discomposure of his mind, which made the temptation surprising, so that it found him off his guard. Note, It is a common thing to speak amiss when we speak in haste and without consideration; but what we speak amiss in haste we must repent of at leisure, particularly that which we have spoken distrustfully of God. (2.) Of God's wonderful goodness to him notwithstanding. Though his faith failed, God's promise did not: Thou hearest the voice of my supplication, for all this. He mentions his own unbelief as a foil to God's fidelity, serving to make his loving-kindness the more marvellous, the more illustrious. When we have thus distrusted God he might justly take us at our word, and bring our fears upon us, as he did on Israel, Num 14:28; Isa 66:4. But he has pitied and pardoned us, and our unbelief has not made his promise and grace of no effect; for he knows our frame.
III. The exhortation and encouragement which he hereupon gives to all the saints, Psa 31:23, Psa 31:24. 1. He would have them set their love on God (Psa 31:23): O love the Lord! all you his saints. Those that have their own hearts full of love to God cannot but desire that others also may be in love with him; for in his favour there is no need to fear a rival. It is the character of the saints that they do love God; and yet they must still be called upon to love him, to love him more and love him better, and give proofs of their love. We must love him, not only for his goodness, because he preserves the faithful, but for his justice, because he plentifully rewards the proud doer (who would ruin those whom he preserves), according to their pride. Some take it in a good sense; he plentifully rewards the magnificent (or excellent) doer, that is daringly good, whose heart, like Jehoshaphat's, is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. He rewards him that does well, but plentifully rewards him that does excellently well. 2. He would have them set their hope in God (Psa 31:24): "Be of good courage; have a good heart on it; whatever difficulties or dangers you may meet with, the God you trust in shall by that trust strengthen your heart." Those that hope in God have reason to be of good courage, and let their hearts be strong, for, as nothing truly evil can befal them, so nothing truly good for them shall be wanting to them.
In singing this we should animate ourselves and one another to proceed and persevere in our Christian course, whatever threatens us, and whoever frowns upon us.
"Blessed be the Lord; for He has made His mercy marvellous, in the city of compassing" [Psalm 31:21]. Blessed be the Lord, for after the correction of the sharpest persecutions He has made His mercy marvellous to all throughout the world, in the circuit of human society.
He surrounded and enclosed me in his habitual lovingkindness, he is saying, as the inhabitants encircle a city with a strong rampart.
We should regard the “surrounded city” as the physical location of Jerusalem, which is set in the midst of the nations and is known to exist as the temple of God. The nations that are located around it were worthy to receive the precepts of the Christian teaching, as if the purest of springs opened itself up to them, and they were irrigated with the gifts of heavenly life. So in this city the Lord “has made his mercy wonderful,” since it was there in fact that he deemed it fitting to teach, to perform miracles, and to suffer for human salvation. There too he revealed the glory of his resurrection, where he chose to make known such immense mysteries.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 31:21 is a profound declaration of praise and gratitude from David, offering a powerful testimony to God's extraordinary intervention and unfailing protection during a period of intense distress. It highlights the psalmist's personal experience of divine ḥesed—God's steadfast, covenantal kindness—manifested in a seemingly impregnable place of refuge, prompting an outpouring of worship for His marvelous and unexpected deliverance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 31:21 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is Metaphor, where the "strong city" serves as a vivid image for God Himself as an impregnable refuge and secure dwelling place. This extends beyond a literal fortified location to represent God's absolute sovereignty and protective power. The verse also functions as a Personal Testimony, a first-person account of divine intervention, lending it authenticity and emotional weight. Furthermore, the psalmist's opening declaration, "Blessed be the LORD," is an act of Praise and Adoration, a common feature in the Psalms where the worshiper declares God's greatness in response to His works. The phrase "marvellous kindness" can also be seen as a form of Hyperbole or Emphasis, underscoring the extraordinary and overwhelming nature of God's grace. Finally, the verse marks a significant Lament-to-Praise Shift within the psalm, demonstrating a dramatic turn from deep distress to profound gratitude, a common structural and thematic movement in many psalms.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates deeply with the overarching biblical narrative of God's steadfast love and faithfulness to His people, particularly in times of distress. It highlights that God's ḥesed is not merely a passive attribute but an active, intervening force that delivers, protects, and restores. The "strong city" imagery connects to the broader theme of God as the ultimate refuge and stronghold for the righteous, a concept woven throughout the Old Testament from the Ark of the Covenant symbolizing God's presence, to the prophetic visions of a secure Jerusalem under God's protection. David's experience serves as a microcosm of God's faithfulness to Israel, demonstrating that His covenant promises are upheld even when human circumstances seem dire. It invites believers to recognize God's active presence and protective hand in their own lives, prompting a similar response of gratitude and praise.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 31:21 offers profound encouragement and a blueprint for faith in the midst of life's inevitable trials. Like David, believers often find themselves in situations of vulnerability, facing "strong cities" of fear, anxiety, or opposition—whether they be financial crises, health struggles, relational conflicts, or spiritual battles. This verse reminds us that even when our human defenses fail or our circumstances seem overwhelming, God's "marvellous kindness" is actively at work, providing unexpected deliverance and an ultimate refuge. It calls us to cultivate a posture of gratitude, to intentionally recall and acknowledge the moments when God has intervened on our behalf, transforming our laments into declarations of praise. Recognizing God as our "strong city" fosters a deep sense of security and trust, enabling us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that His steadfast love is our impregnable fortress. Our response to such divine faithfulness should always be one of blessing and adoration, proclaiming His goodness to the world, not just in times of ease but especially in the aftermath of His powerful interventions.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "strong city" literally refer to in this verse?
Answer: While the phrase "strong city" (מָצוּר, mâtsôwr) can literally refer to a fortified city or stronghold where David might have found refuge from his enemies (e.g., during his flight from Saul, as described in 1 Samuel 23:14), it is more profoundly understood as a metaphor for God Himself. In the context of the Psalms, God is frequently depicted as a rock, fortress, or high tower for His people. Thus, "in a strong city" signifies that God's marvelous kindness was shown by Him acting as David's ultimate, impregnable refuge and source of security, regardless of his physical location or the strength of any earthly defense.
How does David's shift from lament to praise in Psalm 31 relate to the experience of believers today?
Answer: David's journey in Psalm 31, moving from deep distress and desperate pleas (e.g., Psalm 31:9-10) to an outburst of thanksgiving (as in Psalm 31:21), provides a powerful model for believers across all generations. It illustrates that faith is not the absence of struggle or lament, but the persistent turning to God even in the midst of it. This transition reflects the reality that God often brings deliverance, comfort, or a renewed perspective that transforms our sorrow into joy and our pleas into praise. It encourages us to bring our whole selves—our pain, our questions, and our gratitude—to God, trusting that His faithfulness will ultimately prevail and prompt our worship, just as it did for David. This dynamic experience underscores the transformative power of divine intervention and the hope that sustained faith can bring.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 31:21, with its declaration of God's "marvellous kindness" shown "in a strong city," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The ḥesed of God, that steadfast, covenantal love, is perfectly embodied and supremely demonstrated in the person and work of Christ. He is the ultimate manifestation of God's goodness and mercy, extended to humanity not merely in deliverance from temporal enemies, but from sin and death itself through His atoning sacrifice. Furthermore, Christ is the true "strong city," the ultimate and eternal refuge for all who believe. In Him, we find an unshakeable kingdom and an eternal salvation that no earthly fortress could ever provide. His sacrifice on the cross is the supreme act of God's marvellous kindness, opening the way for us to dwell securely in the shelter of the Most High. Through Christ, we are not just protected in a strong city, but we are brought into the very presence of God, who Himself is our fortress and deliverer, fulfilling David's praise in an infinitely greater way and establishing a new covenant secured by His blood.