Psalms 31:23

KJV

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: [for] the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

KJV (with Strong's)

O love {H157} the LORD {H3068}, all ye his saints {H2623}: for the LORD {H3068} preserveth {H5341} the faithful {H539}, and plentifully {H3499} rewardeth {H7999} the proud {H1346} doer {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Love ADONAI, you faithful of his. ADONAI preserves the loyal, but the proud he repays in full.

Berean Standard Bible

Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant.

American Standard Version

Oh love Jehovah, all ye his saints: Jehovah preserveth the faithful, And plentifully rewardeth him that dealeth proudly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 31:23 serves as a climactic exhortation and a profound declaration of divine justice, emerging from David's personal experience of God's faithfulness amidst intense suffering. It calls upon all who are truly God's devoted people to cultivate a deep and active love for the Lord, grounded in the certainty that He meticulously preserves those who are loyal to Him. Simultaneously, the verse issues a stark warning, affirming that God will justly and fully repay those whose actions are marked by arrogance and defiance, thereby upholding His righteous governance over all creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 31 is a deeply personal psalm of David, transitioning from a fervent lament and prayer for deliverance in the opening verses (e.g., [Psalms 31:1-8](/psalms/31-1 "Psalm 31:1-8 - David's Prayer for Deliverance")) to a detailed recounting of his distress and the scorn he faced (e.g., [Psalms 31:9-13](/psalms/31-9 "Psalm 31:9-13 - David's Anguish and Enemies")). A significant shift occurs around [Psalms 31:19-20](/psalms/31-19 "Psalm 31:19-20 - God's Goodness to the Faithful"), where David's tone moves from despair to renewed trust and praise for God's goodness and protection. Verse 23, along with the concluding verse 24, functions as a culminating admonition and a corporate call to worship, born directly from David's hard-won experience of God's salvation. It transforms his personal testimony into a universal truth and an imperative for the community of faith.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, a king and a man often in distress, this psalm reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine justice and kingship. In this cultural milieu, a king was expected to be a protector of the righteous and an enforcer of justice against the wicked. Yahweh, as the ultimate King, perfectly embodies these roles. The concept of "saints" (Hebrew: _ḥăsîḏîm_) refers to those who are devoted to God, marked by _ḥeseḏ_ (covenant loyalty, steadfast love). Their preservation by God was not merely physical but also involved upholding their honor and vindicating them in the face of adversaries. Conversely, "proud doers" represented those who defied divine and human order, often associated with oppressive rulers or those who trusted in their own strength rather than God. The "reward" for such individuals was understood as divine retribution, ensuring cosmic balance and upholding God's moral order.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **call to covenant love and loyalty** (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Greatest Commandment")). The command to "love the LORD" is not merely emotional but an active commitment reflecting the deepest devotion. Secondly, it underscores **divine preservation and faithfulness** towards His people. God's character is revealed as one who actively guards and sustains those who trust in Him, a theme echoed in passages like [Psalm 121](/psalms/121 "Psalm 121 - The Lord, Our Keeper"). Thirdly, the verse powerfully asserts **God's righteous justice** against pride and arrogance. Pride is consistently portrayed in Scripture as an affront to God, leading to destruction, while humility invites His grace (e.g., [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")). The contrasting fates of the faithful and the proud underscore God's unwavering moral governance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saints (Hebrew, _ḥăsîḏāw_):** This term, derived from the root _ḥeseḏ_, refers to those who are characterized by covenant loyalty, steadfast love, and piety towards God. They are the "godly ones" or "devoted ones" who participate in God's _ḥeseḏ_ by demonstrating it in their lives and trusting in His. It implies a reciprocal relationship of faithfulness.
* **preserveth (Hebrew, _šōmēr_):** This verb signifies to guard, keep, protect, or watch over. It conveys the active, vigilant care of God over His faithful ones, ensuring their safety, well-being, and ultimate vindication. It's a strong assurance of divine providence and protection.
* **rewardeth (Hebrew, _məšallēm_):** While "reward" can imply positive recompense, in this context, especially when paired with "proud doer," it carries the strong connotation of requiting, repaying, or punishing. It speaks of God's just retribution, where actions receive their deserved consequences, whether good or ill.
* **proud doer (Hebrew, _gēʾeh ʿōśeh_):** This phrase describes someone whose actions (_ʿōśeh_) are marked by haughtiness, arrogance (_gēʾeh_), and insolence. It refers to those who act presumptuously, often in defiance of God or in oppression of others, trusting in their own strength or status rather than acknowledging divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O love the LORD, all ye his saints:"** This opening clause is a passionate, direct exhortation. It's a call to the entire community of God's covenanted people, those who are loyal and devoted to Him, to actively and deeply love Yahweh. This love is not a passive emotion but an active commitment that informs their obedience, trust, and worship. It is the appropriate response to God's character and His demonstrated faithfulness.
* **"for the LORD preserveth the faithful,"** This clause provides the foundational reason for the preceding command. The "for" (כִּי, _kî_) introduces the divine characteristic that compels such love. God is actively engaged in guarding, protecting, and sustaining those who remain loyal and trust in Him. This is an assurance of divine providence and a promise of vindication for those who endure in their faith.
* **"and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer."** This final clause presents a stark contrast and a solemn warning. In antithetical parallelism to the preservation of the faithful, God's justice is declared against those who act with arrogance and self-sufficiency. The term "plentifully" (עַל־יֶתֶר, _ʿal-yeṯer_) emphasizes the full, abundant measure of retribution that awaits them. God's righteous governance ensures that pride, which exalts itself against Him, will meet its just and severe consequence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 31:23 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Antithetical Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse ("the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer") presents a direct contrast to the first half, highlighting the divergent fates of two distinct groups. This parallelism underscores the absolute nature of God's justice. The verse also functions as a strong **Exhortation**, a direct and passionate command ("O love the LORD") to the audience, urging them to a specific action. The phrase "plentifully rewardeth" uses **Irony** or **Sarcasm**, as "reward" typically implies something positive, but here it clearly signifies severe retribution, emphasizing the full measure of God's judgment. Finally, the psalm's overall structure, moving from lament to praise and then to this communal call, demonstrates a **Narrative Arc** of transformation, where personal experience becomes a universal truth for the community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 31:23 is a profound theological statement, anchoring the believer's response to God in His unshakeable character. It affirms that God's justice is not arbitrary but perfectly balanced: His steadfast love (hesed) is extended to those who are faithful, preserving them through trials, while His righteous judgment is meted out in full measure to those who defiantly oppose Him through pride. This dual aspect of God's nature—His grace and His justice—is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, ensuring that the moral order of the cosmos is maintained and that ultimately, all will receive their just due. The call to love God, therefore, is not a mere suggestion but a foundational response to the reality of who He is and how He governs.

* [Deuteronomy 10:12](/deuteronomy/10-12 "Deuteronomy 10:12 - What God Requires")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God Will Repay Each Person According to What They Have Done")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 31:23 calls us to a holistic response of love and trust in God, especially in a world that often seems to reward the arrogant and neglect the humble. It serves as a powerful reminder that our primary duty and privilege is to "love the LORD" with an active, obedient, and trusting devotion. This love is not a flimsy sentiment but a robust commitment, forged in the crucible of life's challenges, knowing that God is our ultimate Preserver. When we face adversity, this verse encourages us to lean into His faithfulness, confident that He watches over us and will ultimately vindicate those who remain loyal to Him. Conversely, it stands as a stark warning against the insidious nature of pride, which is an affront to God and inevitably leads to destruction. In a culture that often celebrates self-exaltation, this verse urges humility, reminding us that true strength and security are found not in our own capabilities but in humble reliance on the Almighty. It compels us to examine our hearts: Is our love for God genuine and active? Are we trusting in His preservation, or are we succumbing to fear? And are we walking in humility, or is pride subtly creeping into our actions and attitudes?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it truly mean to "love the LORD" in a practical, daily sense, beyond mere emotion?**
* **How does the promise of God's preservation of the faithful encourage you in times of personal struggle or injustice?**
* **In what ways might pride subtly manifest in my own life, and how can I cultivate a spirit of humility in response to God's justice?**
* **How does the contrast between the faithful and the proud shape your understanding of divine justice and its implications for human behavior?**

### FAQ

**Who are "his saints" that are called to love the LORD?**

Answer: "His saints" (Hebrew: _ḥăsîḏāw_) refers to those who are characterized by _ḥeseḏ_, God's steadfast love and covenant loyalty. These are the pious, the godly, the devoted ones who have entered into a relationship with God and whose lives reflect His character. They are not perfect, but their hearts are committed to Him, and they seek to walk in His ways. In the Old Testament, this often referred to the faithful within Israel; in the New Testament, it extends to all believers who are set apart by God and committed to Christ, as seen in passages like [Ephesians 1:1](/ephesians/1-1 "Ephesians 1:1 - Paul's Greeting to the Saints").

**What does it mean that God "plentifully rewardeth the proud doer"?**

Answer: This phrase means that God will fully and abundantly repay, or more accurately, exact retribution upon, those whose actions are marked by arrogance, defiance, and self-exaltation. The term "rewardeth" here carries the strong connotation of punishment or judgment, not a positive recompense. God's justice ensures that pride, which is an affront to His sovereignty and character, will not go unpunished. This aligns with other biblical warnings that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, as articulated in [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud"). The "plentiful" aspect emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of this divine judgment.

**How does this verse offer comfort or challenge to someone experiencing injustice?**

Answer: For someone experiencing injustice, this verse offers both profound comfort and a challenging perspective. The comfort comes from the assurance that "the LORD preserveth the faithful." Even when human systems fail or the wicked seem to prosper, God is actively watching over and guarding His loyal people. He will ultimately vindicate them and ensure their well-being. The challenge lies in the call to "love the LORD" and to remain faithful, even in the midst of suffering. It also challenges the natural human desire for immediate retribution against wrongdoers, reminding us that God Himself will "plentifully reward the proud doer" in His perfect timing and according to His righteous judgment. This encourages trust in God's ultimate justice rather than seeking personal vengeance, as seen in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay, Says the Lord").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 31:23 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The call to "O love the LORD, all ye his saints" is perfectly embodied in Christ, who demonstrated ultimate love and obedience to the Father, even to the point of death on a cross (e.g., [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He is the archetypal "faithful one" whom the Father "preserveth." Though He suffered immensely and was "cut off from the land of the living" ([Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - Christ's Suffering and Death")), God's preservation was powerfully displayed in His resurrection from the dead, vindicating Him and exalting Him to the highest place ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly exemplifies God's just judgment against the "proud doer." While He came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Did Not Come to Condemn")), His life and teachings consistently exposed and condemned the pride and self-righteousness of those who rejected God's truth. Ultimately, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross fully satisfied God's righteous demand against all human pride and sin, offering a path for humanity to be reconciled to God not through their own works or arrogance, but through humble faith in Him. Thus, in Christ, both the preservation of the faithful and the just recompense for pride are perfectly addressed, inviting all to become His "saints" through faith and to experience His preserving love.

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 97:10

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalms 145:20

The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

Psalms 94:2

Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.

Psalms 34:9

O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.

Psalms 30:4

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.