Psalms 31:23

Psalm 31:23 is a powerful call to devotion and a declaration of God's righteous character, contrasting His care for the faithful with His swift judgment upon the arrogant. It encapsulates a fundamental truth about divine justice and the nature of God's relationship with humanity, serving as both an exhortation and a warning.

Context

This verse concludes a psalm of David that begins with a fervent prayer for deliverance from enemies and deep distress (Psalm 31:1). Throughout the psalm, David recounts his suffering and feelings of being forsaken, yet he consistently expresses profound trust in the Lord's faithfulness and mercy. Verse 23 serves as a concluding admonition, born from David's personal experience of God's salvation and a call for all others to share in this trust and love for God.

Key Themes

• Exhortation to Love God: The opening phrase, "O love the LORD, all ye his saints," is a direct and passionate command. It calls all who claim to be God's devoted people—His saints or faithful ones—to cultivate a deep, abiding love for Him. This love is not merely emotional but involves obedience, trust, and commitment, reflecting the greatest commandment to love the Lord with all your heart.
• Divine Preservation of the Faithful: The reason given for this love is profoundly comforting: "for the LORD preserveth the faithful." God actively guards, protects, and sustains those who are loyal and trust in Him. This theme of divine protection and God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people is a recurring assurance throughout the Psalms.
• God's Justice Against the Proud: In stark contrast, the verse declares that God "plentifully rewardeth the proud doer." Here, "rewardeth" carries the connotation of retribution or punishment. God's justice ensures that those who act with arrogance, self-sufficiency, and defiance against Him will face severe consequences. This serves as a strong warning against pride and a reaffirmation of God's righteous governance over all creation.

Linguistic Insights

• The term "saints" (Hebrew: chasidim) refers to those who are loyal, pious, or godly—those who demonstrate covenant faithfulness and loving devotion to God and His ways.
• The phrase "proud doer" (Hebrew: ge'eh oseh) describes someone whose actions are characterized by haughtiness, arrogance, or insolence. It speaks of a person who exalts themselves against God or others, often acting presumptuously and without regard for divine authority.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 31:23 offers several vital applications:

• Cultivate Love and Devotion: It reminds us that our primary response to God's character and actions should be profound love and devotion. This love should motivate our obedience and trust, especially in times of distress or uncertainty.
• Trust in His Preservation: When facing challenges or opposition, this verse encourages us to remember that God is our preserver. Our faithfulness to Him is met with His faithfulness to protect and sustain us, reinforcing the principle that the Lord will preserve you from all evil.
• Beware of Pride: The stark warning against the "proud doer" serves as a timeless caution. Pride is an affront to God and often leads to destruction, whereas humility invites God's grace. This aligns with other biblical warnings that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Ultimately, this verse calls God's people to live lives characterized by love for Him and humble trust, knowing that He is just and will deal righteously with all.