Psalms 31:22

KJV

For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

For I said {H559} in my haste {H2648}, I am cut off {H1629} from before {H5048} thine eyes {H5869}: nevertheless {H403} thou heardest {H8085} the voice {H6963} of my supplications {H8469} when I cried {H7768} unto thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

As for me, in my alarm I said, "I have been cut off from your sight!"Nevertheless, you heard my pleas when I cried out to you.

Berean Standard Bible

In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.

American Standard Version

As for me, I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: Nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications, When I cried unto thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 31:22 encapsulates a profound moment of human vulnerability and divine steadfastness. David, in the throes of a desperate situation, confesses to a rash declaration born of panic—that he was utterly forsaken by God. Yet, in the very same breath, he offers a powerful testimony to God's unwavering attentiveness, acknowledging that despite his fleeting despair, the Lord had indeed heard his fervent pleas. This verse serves as a poignant reminder that even in our deepest moments of doubt and perceived abandonment, God's ear remains open to the cries of His children, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 31 is a deeply personal lament and prayer of trust attributed to David, likely composed during a period of intense distress and persecution. The psalm opens with an urgent plea for deliverance from enemies and a declaration of trust in God's refuge ([Psalm 31:1-3](/psalms/31-1 "Psalm 31:1-3 - David's Plea for Deliverance")). David vividly describes his physical and emotional decay, feeling like a "broken vessel" and the object of scorn and terror ([Psalm 31:9-13](/psalms/31-9 "Psalm 31:9-13 - David's Anguish and Enemies")). Verse 22 functions as a pivotal retrospective confession within this narrative of suffering and hope. It recalls a specific instance of profound doubt, contrasting David's momentary despair with God's consistent faithfulness, leading into a concluding section of praise and exhortation to love the Lord ([Psalm 31:23-24](/psalms/31-23 "Psalm 31:23-24 - Exhortation to Love the Lord")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 31 is not stated, David's life was replete with periods of intense trial and flight, such as his persecution by King Saul ([1_samuel/23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David Flees from Saul")) or the rebellion of Absalom ([2_samuel/15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). In ancient Israel, a king's well-being was often seen as intertwined with the nation's, and his public laments and prayers were acts of leadership, demonstrating reliance on Yahweh. The concept of being "cut off" from God's eyes would have been particularly terrifying, implying a loss of divine favor, protection, and even existence, as God's "face" or "eyes" often symbolized His presence and benevolent attention. The act of crying out in supplication was a common and accepted form of prayer, reflecting complete dependence on God for rescue and mercy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 31 and the Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the **reality of human despair and doubt**, even for figures of great faith. David's admission of saying "in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes" normalizes the experience of feeling abandoned by God during intense suffering, a sentiment echoed in other laments like those found in [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?"). Secondly, it highlights the **unwavering faithfulness and responsiveness of God**. Despite David's momentary lapse in faith, God demonstrably "heardest the voice of my supplications," affirming the divine commitment to listen and respond to the cries of His people, a truth celebrated throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1 "Psalm 116:1-2 - God Hears Prayer")). Finally, the verse speaks to the **power and efficacy of persistent prayer**, even when offered from a place of deep distress. It teaches that God's hearing is not contingent on our perfect emotional state or unwavering confidence, but on His steadfast character and covenantal love, encouraging believers to continue crying out to Him regardless of their immediate feelings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Haste (Hebrew, _ḥāp̄az'_):** This word (חָפַז) conveys a sense of alarm, panic, or hurried flight. It implies a rash, impulsive statement made under duress, without careful thought or consideration. David's confession here is not of a deliberate theological error, but a spontaneous outburst of despair born from overwhelming circumstances, similar to his reflection in [Psalm 116:11](/psalms/116-11 "Psalm 116:11 - All Men Are Liars"). It emphasizes the emotional intensity of his experience.
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kārat_):** The verb (כָּרַת) literally means "to cut," and can refer to cutting down, separating, or destroying. In this context, it vividly describes a feeling of being completely severed, isolated, or excluded from God's presence and protective gaze. It expresses a profound sense of abandonment and hopelessness, as if God had turned His back and withdrawn His care entirely.
* **Supplications (Hebrew, _taḥănūnîm_):** This plural noun (תַּחְנוּנִים) denotes humble pleas for grace, mercy, or favor. It emphasizes the dependent and desperate nature of David's prayers, acknowledging his utter reliance on God's undeserved kindness. These are not demands, but earnest requests from one who recognizes his need for divine intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I said in my haste":** This opening clause is a deeply personal confession. David admits to a moment of impulsive speech, triggered by intense pressure or fear. The "haste" indicates that his words were not a reasoned theological conclusion but an emotional reaction, a raw expression of his immediate feelings of being overwhelmed. It sets up the contrast with God's steadfast reality.
* **"I am cut off from before thine eyes":** This is the content of David's hasty, despairing declaration. To be "cut off from before thine eyes" means to be removed from God's sight, protection, and benevolent attention. It signifies a feeling of utter abandonment, as if God had ceased to see him, care for him, or intervene on his behalf. This hyperbole reflects the depth of his perceived isolation and hopelessness.
* **"nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee":** This is the powerful pivot and affirmation of faith. Despite David's mistaken and despairing utterance, God's faithfulness remained. The "nevertheless" introduces a stark contrast, highlighting God's consistent character over David's fluctuating emotions. God not only heard but actively attended to his "voice of supplications," demonstrating His ever-present ear and responsiveness to the desperate cries of His servant, even when that servant's faith faltered.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 31:22 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The primary device is **Contrast**, setting David's momentary, human **Hyperbole** of despair ("I am cut off") against the unchanging reality of God's attentiveness ("nevertheless thou heardest"). This creates a powerful tension that is resolved by divine faithfulness. David employs **Confession** ("For I said in my haste") to admit his human frailty, which then serves to magnify God's steadfastness. The phrase "cut off from before thine eyes" is a vivid **Metaphor** for spiritual abandonment, drawing on the imagery of God's watchful presence. The entire verse functions as a **Testimony**, recounting a past experience of doubt and God's subsequent vindication, serving as an encouragement to others.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 31:22 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of God and the human experience of faith. It teaches that while human faith can waver under duress, God's character remains constant and His commitment to His people unwavering. David's confession normalizes the experience of doubt and feelings of abandonment, assuring believers that such moments do not disqualify them from God's love or attention. Rather, God's faithfulness is magnified precisely in those instances when our perception of Him is clouded by fear or despair. The verse powerfully affirms the efficacy of prayer, demonstrating that God hears and responds to the cries of His children, even when those cries are uttered from the depths of perceived hopelessness. It underscores that God's presence and responsiveness are not contingent upon our perfect emotional state or unwavering confidence, but on His steadfast love and covenantal promises.

* [Psalm 42:9](/psalms/42-9 "Psalm 42:9 - Why Have You Forgotten Me?")
* [Lamentations 3:55-57](/lamentations/3-55 "Lamentations 3:55-57 - God Hears Prayer from the Depths")
* [Isaiah 49:15-16](/isaiah/49-15 "Isaiah 49:15-16 - God Will Not Forget His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 31:22 provides immense comfort and encouragement for contemporary believers navigating seasons of distress, doubt, or perceived abandonment. It validates the raw, honest expression of our deepest fears and anxieties before God, demonstrating that even a man after God's own heart, like David, experienced moments of profound despair where he felt utterly forsaken. This verse liberates us from the burden of pretending to have perfect faith, inviting us instead to bring our "haste" and our feelings of being "cut off" directly to the Lord. It serves as a powerful reminder that our feelings, while real, do not dictate God's reality or His faithfulness. Even when our emotions scream that God is absent or indifferent, His ear remains open, and His heart is inclined to hear our supplications. The ultimate application is to persevere in prayer, to cry out to God even when we feel least like it, trusting that His steadfast love transcends our fleeting perceptions and that He will indeed hear and respond in His perfect timing and way.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Have you ever felt "cut off from before thine eyes" in a moment of crisis or despair? How did you respond?**
* **What does David's admission of speaking "in my haste" teach us about the honesty we can bring to God in prayer?**
* **How does the "nevertheless" in this verse challenge your understanding of God's faithfulness in the face of your own doubts or struggles?**
* **In what practical ways can you remind yourself that God hears your supplications, even when you feel abandoned?**

### FAQ
**Is it wrong to doubt God's presence or feel abandoned by Him?**

Answer: Psalm 31:22, along with many other laments in the Bible (e.g., [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")), demonstrates that it is a common human experience, even for devout believers, to feel doubt or abandonment. David's confession of saying "in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes" normalizes this feeling. The verse does not condemn the feeling itself, but rather highlights God's faithful response despite it. It's not the presence of doubt that is problematic, but how we respond to it. The key is to bring those honest feelings to God in prayer, just as David did, trusting that He hears and remains faithful.

**How can I know God hears my prayers when I feel "cut off" or abandoned?**

Answer: This verse provides the answer: "nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee." David's testimony serves as an assurance. Our feelings are not the ultimate arbiter of God's reality. While we may *feel* cut off, God's character is unchanging. He is inherently a God who hears (e.g., [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1 "Psalm 116:1-2 - God Hears Prayer")). Trusting this truth, even when our emotions contradict it, is an act of faith. Continue to cry out to Him, knowing that His ear is always open, and His response is always in accordance with His perfect will and love.

**What does "cut off from before thine eyes" mean for us today, and how does God's hearing address it?**

Answer: "Cut off from before thine eyes" signifies a feeling of complete isolation, abandonment, and a loss of divine favor or protection. For believers today, it can manifest as spiritual dryness, unanswered prayer, or overwhelming circumstances that make God's presence seem distant. God's act of "hearing" our supplications directly addresses this feeling by affirming His active engagement and care. It means that even when we feel unseen or forgotten, God is intimately aware of our plight, His gaze is upon us, and He is attentive to our cries. His hearing is not passive; it implies a readiness to respond and intervene, reminding us that we are never truly cut off from His loving presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 31:22 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's cry of feeling "cut off from before thine eyes" prefigures the deepest anguish experienced by the Son of God on the cross. In that moment of ultimate sacrifice, Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), a direct echo of [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"). Here, the perfect Son, who knew no sin, became sin for us ([2_corinthians/5-21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), experiencing the true spiritual separation from the Father that our sins deserved. Yet, just as David's despair was met with God's hearing, Christ's cry on the cross, though seemingly unanswered in that moment of agony, was ultimately heard and vindicated by the resurrection ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). Through His perfect obedience and suffering, Jesus secured for us the promise that we, who are in Him, will never be "cut off" from God's presence. Indeed, He ever lives to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our Intercessor")), ensuring that our supplications are always heard by the Father, not on the basis of our fleeting faith, but on the enduring faithfulness of the Lamb of God.

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

Psalms 116:11

I said in my haste, All men [are] liars.

Psalms 88:16

Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.

Psalms 6:9

The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

Job 35:14

¶ Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, [yet] judgment [is] before him; therefore trust thou in him.

Ezekiel 37:11

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

1 Samuel 27:1

¶ And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

Lamentations 3:54

Waters flowed over mine head; [then] I said, I am cut off.