Psalms 31:21

KJV

Blessed [be] the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {H1288} be the LORD {H3068}: for he hath shewed me his marvellous {H6381} kindness {H2617} in a strong {H4692} city {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Blessed be ADONAI! For he has shown me his amazing grace when I was in a city under siege.

Berean Standard Bible

Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His loving devotion in a city under siege.

American Standard Version

Blessed be Jehovah; For he hath showed me his marvellous lovingkindness in a strong city.

Commentary

### 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 *hesed*—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
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 31 is a deeply personal lament, transitioning dramatically into an expression of trust and thanksgiving. The preceding verses (e.g., [Psalm 31:9-13](/psalms/31-9 "Psalm 31:9-13 - David's Deep Distress")) detail David's profound suffering, fear, and feeling of abandonment by friends and foes alike. He describes himself as "broken," "forgotten," and "like a broken vessel." Amidst this anguish, David consistently reaffirms his trust in God (as seen in [Psalm 31:14-16](/psalms/31-14 "Psalm 31:14-16 - David's Trust and Plea")). Verse 21 marks a pivotal shift, moving from the depths of supplication and despair to an exuberant declaration of praise, indicating a perceived or actual deliverance. This turn from lament to praise is a common literary feature in the Psalms, demonstrating the dynamic nature of faith amidst trial.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical event prompting this psalm is not explicitly stated, it aligns with many periods of David's life, particularly his flight from King Saul (e.g., [1 Samuel 23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David's Flight from Saul")). During this time, David often sought refuge in fortified cities, caves, or strongholds, constantly pursued by his enemies. The concept of a "strong city" (מְצוּרָה, *mᵉtsurah*) in the ancient Near East evoked images of impenetrable walls, strategic defenses, and ultimate security against external threats. For a king or a people, a strong city was the epitome of safety. David's declaration, therefore, resonates with the very real dangers of his life and the tangible need for a secure refuge, whether literal or metaphorical.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine *Hesed***, God's loyal, steadfast, and covenantal love, which is often expressed through acts of deliverance and mercy. David's experience is a testament to this unwavering commitment from God. Secondly, the imagery of the "strong city" underscores God's role as **Ultimate Protector and Refuge**. This theme is echoed in many other passages where God is depicted as a [fortress](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The LORD My Rock and My Fortress"), [tower](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower"), or [shelter](/psalms/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - God My Refuge and Fortress"). Finally, the opening phrase "Blessed be the LORD" highlights the theme of **Gratitude and Praise**, demonstrating that a proper response to God's saving acts is an outpouring of worship and acknowledgment of His goodness, as seen in [Psalm 34:1-3](/psalms/34-1 "Psalm 34:1-3 - Magnifying the LORD").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kindness (Hebrew, חֶסֶד _ḥesed_):** This is one of the most significant theological terms in the Old Testament, often translated as "lovingkindness," "mercy," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty." It describes God's active, faithful, and enduring love that is rooted in His covenant relationship with His people. It is not merely a feeling but a commitment that manifests in concrete actions of deliverance, protection, and provision. When David speaks of God's "marvellous kindness," he is acknowledging an act of God that flowed from this deep, unwavering, and relational commitment, demonstrating divine faithfulness in a way that surpassed human expectation.
* **Marvellous (Hebrew, פֶּלֶא _pele'_):** This word signifies something extraordinary, wonderful, miraculous, or beyond human comprehension. It describes an act that is a divine wonder, often associated with God's mighty deeds of salvation and judgment (e.g., [Exodus 15:11](/exodus/15-11 "Exodus 15:11 - Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?")). The combination of *pele'* with *ḥesed* emphasizes that God's loyal love was demonstrated in a way that was truly astonishing, unexpected, and clearly supernatural, leaving no doubt that it was a divine intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed [be] the LORD":** This is a direct declaration of praise and adoration. The psalmist is not asking God to be blessed, but rather acknowledging and proclaiming God's inherent blessedness and worthiness of all praise. It is an act of worship, stemming from a heart overwhelmed by divine goodness.
* **"for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness":** This clause provides the reason for the praise. God has actively "shewed" or "made known" His *ḥesed*—His steadfast love and covenant loyalty—to David. The addition of "marvellous" (פֶּלֶא, *pele'*) emphasizes the extraordinary, miraculous, and unexpected nature of this divine intervention, highlighting that God's kindness was not ordinary but truly a wonder.
* **"in a strong city":** This phrase signifies the context or manner of God's deliverance. It can be interpreted literally as a fortified city where David found refuge, or, more profoundly, metaphorically, with God Himself being the "strong city"—an impenetrable fortress and ultimate source of security. It implies that even in a place of perceived human strength and defense, it was God's kindness that truly provided the ultimate protection and salvation.

#### 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.

### 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 *hesed* 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](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10 - The Ark of the Covenant") to the prophetic visions of a secure Jerusalem. 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.

* [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer")
* [Psalm 107:8](/psalms/107-8 "Psalm 107:8 - Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Steadfast Love of the LORD Never Ceases")

### 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. 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "strong cities" (literal or metaphorical) have you experienced God's "marvellous kindness" in your life?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen your trust in Him for present and future challenges?**
* **What specific actions can you take to cultivate a more consistent attitude of gratitude and praise, even amidst difficulties?**

### FAQ
**What does "strong city" literally refer to in this verse?**

Answer: While the phrase "strong city" (מְצוּרָה, *mᵉtsurah*) 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](/1_samuel/23-14 "1 Samuel 23:14 - David in the Wilderness of Ziph")), it is more profoundly understood as a metaphor for God Himself. In the context of the Psalms, God is frequently depicted as a [rock](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The LORD is my rock"), [fortress](/psalms/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - God My Refuge and Fortress"), or [high tower](/psalms/144-2 "Psalm 144:2 - My Goodness, and My Fortress") 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.

**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](/psalms/31-9 "Psalm 31:9-10 - David's Anguish")) to an outburst of thanksgiving (as in [Psalm 31:21](/psalms/31-21 "Psalm 31:21 - Blessed be the LORD")), provides a powerful model for believers. 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 and our gratitude—to God, trusting that His faithfulness will ultimately prevail and prompt our worship, just as it did for David.

### 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](/psalms/23-6 "Psalm 23:6 - Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me"), extended to humanity not merely in deliverance from temporal enemies, but from sin and death itself. Furthermore, Christ is the true "strong city," the ultimate and eternal refuge for all who believe. In Him, we find an [unshakeable kingdom](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken") and an [eternal salvation](/hebrews/5-9 "Hebrews 5:9 - Author of 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](/psalms/91-1 "Psalm 91:1 - He Who Dwells 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](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer"), fulfilling David's praise in an infinitely greater way.

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

1 Samuel 23:7

¶ And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

1 Samuel 23:13

Then David and his men, [which were] about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

Psalms 17:7

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Psalms 118:23

This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.

Jeremiah 1:18

For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

Psalms 98:1

¶ A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.