Psalms 31:7

KJV

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

KJV (with Strong's)

I will be glad {H1523} and rejoice {H8055} in thy mercy {H2617}: for thou hast considered {H7200} my trouble {H6040}; thou hast known {H3045} my soul {H5315} in adversities {H6869};

Complete Jewish Bible

I will rejoice and be glad in your grace, for you see my affliction, you know how distressed I am.

Berean Standard Bible

I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.

American Standard Version

I will be glad and rejoice in thy lovingkindness; For thou hast seen my affliction: Thou hast known my soul in adversities;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 31:7 is a vibrant declaration of the psalmist's unwavering resolve to find joy and gladness in God's steadfast mercy, even amidst profound distress. This profound resolve is firmly rooted in the certain knowledge that God has not only attentively observed his suffering but has also intimately understood his very soul in the depths of his adversities, demonstrating a divine attentiveness and personal empathy that forms the unshakeable foundation for all hope and trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 31 is a deeply personal and poignant prayer, primarily categorized as a psalm of individual lament that powerfully transitions into a declaration of trust and praise. The preceding verses [Psalms 31:1-6](/psalms/31-1-6 "Psalms 31:1-6 - A Plea for Deliverance and Trust in God") vividly articulate the psalmist's desperate plea for divine rescue from enemies, betrayal, and overwhelming distress, expressing profound vulnerability while simultaneously affirming God as his ultimate refuge and rock. Verse 7 marks a significant pivot point within the psalm; having laid bare his affliction, the psalmist now shifts from detailing his suffering to actively choosing to rejoice and declare confidence in God's character. This transition is not born of a sudden change in circumstances but reflects a profound spiritual resilience, where the psalmist, despite ongoing hardship, deliberately fixes his gaze on God's unchanging faithfulness rather than his immediate troubles. This pattern of lament transforming into trust is a hallmark of the Psalter, echoing the spiritual journey seen in other psalms of trust, such as [Psalms 27](/psalms/27 "Psalms 27 - The Lord is My Light and My Salvation").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to King David during periods of intense persecution and flight (such as his flight from King Saul or the rebellion of Absalom), the psalm's universal themes of distress, betrayal, and divine deliverance resonate with the experiences of any individual facing profound adversity in ancient Israel. Life in the ancient Near East was often precarious, marked by threats from hostile nations, internal strife, illness, and societal injustice, making reliance on divine intervention not merely a theological concept but a practical necessity for survival and well-being. The Hebrew terms for "trouble" (`ʻŏnîy`) and "adversities" (`tsârâh`) would have encompassed a wide spectrum of difficulties, from physical danger and imminent death to deep emotional anguish and social ostracism. In a cultural context where a king's well-being was often seen as intertwined with the nation's prosperity, David's personal suffering and subsequent trust in God would have served as a powerful example for his people, affirming God's active and compassionate involvement in the lives of His covenant partners, a relationship often framed by the covenant promises found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational theological themes central to the book of Psalms and broader biblical theology. The foremost theme is **Divine Mercy and Steadfast Love**, rooted in the Hebrew term `ḥeseḏ`, which signifies God's covenant loyalty, unfailing kindness, and active commitment to His promises. This `ḥeseḏ` provides an unshakeable foundation for the psalmist's hope and joy, demonstrating that God's character, not circumstances, is the source of true gladness. Another crucial theme is **God's Attentive Consideration**, highlighted by the phrase "thou hast considered my trouble." This emphasizes God's active, discerning awareness of human suffering, portraying Him not as a distant observer but as One who intimately perceives and takes into account the depth of human distress, echoing God's compassionate attention to Israel's affliction in [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Sees the Affliction of His People"). Furthermore, the verse underscores **Intimate Divine Knowledge**, as God "hast known my soul in adversities," pointing to God's deep, personal, and experiential understanding of the psalmist's entire being (`nephesh`) during hardship. This profound truth, beautifully expanded upon in [Psalms 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1-4 "Psalms 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Intimate Knowledge"), assures the believer that no aspect of their suffering is hidden from God. Finally, the verse exemplifies **Joy Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating a proactive choice to find gladness in God's unchanging character and faithfulness, rather than in the absence of trouble, a spiritual posture that transcends all earthly circumstances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** This pivotal term, `chêçêd`, denotes far more than mere pity or compassion. It signifies God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, unfailing kindness, and enduring faithfulness. It describes God's active, enduring commitment to His people, a love that is reliable, acts on their behalf, and forms the basis of His relationship with them. The psalmist's joy is not rooted in a fleeting emotion but in the unchanging, active faithfulness of God's character as expressed through His `chêçêd`.
* **Considered (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** Meaning "to see, perceive, or understand," this word implies an attentive and discerning gaze. It's not a casual glance but a deliberate and thorough observation. God has not just noticed the psalmist's trouble; He has truly taken it into account, understood its nature, and perceived its depth. This signifies God's active engagement and awareness of the psalmist's plight.
* **Known (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This term conveys a deep, intimate, and experiential understanding, not merely intellectual awareness. When God "knows" the psalmist's soul, it implies a profound, relational knowledge that encompasses the totality of his inner being (`nephesh`), his pain, fears, and struggles. It speaks to God's empathy and personal engagement with human suffering, indicating a comprehensive and personal grasp of the situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy":** The psalmist expresses a determined future action—a resolute choice to find joy and gladness. This joy is not circumstantial, dependent on external conditions, but is firmly grounded in God's `chêçêd` (mercy/steadfast love). It represents a proactive decision to fix his emotional state and hope on the unchanging character of God, rather than the fluctuating nature of his troubles. This declaration is an act of faith, anticipating joy even while still in the midst of adversity, a testament to God's reliable nature.
* **"for thou hast considered my trouble":** This clause provides the foundational reason for the psalmist's resolve to rejoice. God's active and attentive perception (`râʼâh`) of his distress (`ʻŏnîy` - depression, misery, affliction) is the assurance he needs. The use of the past tense "hast considered" implies a completed and definitive action, suggesting God has already, unequivocally, seen and understood his plight. This validates the psalmist's experience and confirms God's full awareness of his suffering.
* **"thou hast known my soul in adversities":** This further elaborates on the depth of God's understanding, moving beyond external circumstances ("trouble") to the inner being ("soul"). The "soul" (`nephesh`) here refers to the whole person—their very life, emotions, will, and inner self. God's intimate knowledge (`yâdaʻ`) of the psalmist's `nephesh` *in* his "adversities" (`tsârâh` - tightness, figuratively trouble, anguish, distress) signifies that God comprehends the full impact of the suffering on his entire being, including the emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. This profound empathy is a source of immense comfort and security, affirming that God's awareness is holistic and deeply personal.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 31:7 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message with depth and impact. **Parallelism** is a prominent feature, particularly **synthetic parallelism**, where the second clause, "thou hast known my soul in adversities," expands upon and intensifies the meaning of the preceding reason, "for thou hast considered my trouble." God's "considering" is deepened by His "knowing," and "my trouble" is further specified as affecting "my soul in adversities," highlighting the comprehensive and intimate nature of God's awareness. The use of "soul" (`nephesh`) is a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (the inner being, emotions, life force) represents the whole person, emphasizing the totality of the psalmist's distress and God's holistic understanding of it. Furthermore, the descriptions of God "considering" and "knowing" can be seen as **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions and understanding to God. This device makes God's divine engagement more relatable and comprehensible to the human experience, underscoring His personal, active, and empathetic involvement in the lives of His people, assuring them of His compassionate presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 31:7 offers a profound theological statement about the very nature of God and the unshakeable foundation of human hope. It reveals a God who is neither distant nor indifferent to human suffering, but one who actively observes, deeply understands, and intimately knows the struggles of His people. The psalmist's ability to "be glad and rejoice" is not born of a denial of his pain, but from a robust theology of God's `chêçêd`—His steadfast, covenantal love that endures beyond all circumstances. This verse teaches that true joy in adversity stems from a confident reliance on God's unchanging character and His personal, empathetic engagement with our deepest vulnerabilities. It affirms that our suffering is seen, validated, and held within the compassionate gaze of an all-knowing Creator, providing an anchor for the soul in life's storms.

* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "The Lord's Great Mercies")
* [Matthew 10:29-31](/matthew/10-29-31 "God's Care for Sparrows and Humans")
* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Rejoicing in Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 31:7 provides immense comfort and a powerful model for believers navigating their own seasons of adversity. It encourages us to cultivate a perspective that transcends immediate circumstances, grounding our hope and joy in the unchanging character of God rather than the fleeting nature of our troubles. Knowing that God has "considered" our trouble and "known" our soul in adversities means that no pain, no fear, and no struggle is hidden from His omniscient sight or beyond His empathetic understanding. This intimate divine knowledge validates our suffering and assures us that we are never alone. Like the psalmist, we are called to make a proactive choice to "be glad and rejoice" in God's mercy, not because our problems have magically disappeared, but because His steadfast love and faithful presence are our ultimate and enduring reality. This spiritual discipline fosters profound resilience, allowing us to find peace and even joy amidst the storm, transforming our lament into a powerful declaration of trust and an act of worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the assurance that God "sees" and "knows" your adversity impact your emotional and spiritual state during difficult times?**
* **In what practical ways can you proactively choose to "be glad and rejoice" in God's mercy today, even if your circumstances remain challenging?**
* **Reflect on a time when you experienced God's intimate knowledge of your "soul in adversities." How did that awareness sustain and comfort you?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "mercy" (`chêçêd`) in this verse?**

Answer: The term "mercy" here translates the Hebrew word `chêçêd` (חֶסֶד), which is one of the most significant theological concepts in the Old Testament. It denotes far more than mere pity or compassion; `chêçêd` signifies God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, unfailing kindness, and enduring faithfulness. It describes God's active commitment to His promises and His people, a love that is both strong and tender, reliable and enduring. In Psalms 31:7, the psalmist's ability to "be glad and rejoice" is rooted in this `chêçêd`—it's the unchanging, reliable character of God's loyal love that provides a secure foundation for trust, even when everything else seems to be falling apart. It assures the psalmist that God will act on his behalf because of His faithful nature, providing an unshakeable anchor for his hope.

**How does God "know" our soul in adversities?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "known" is `yâdaʻ` (יָדַע), which implies a deep, intimate, and experiential understanding, not merely intellectual awareness. When the psalmist says God "hast known my soul in adversities," it means God doesn't just observe from a distance; He intimately comprehends the full depth of the psalmist's inner being (`nephesh`—the whole person, including emotions, will, and life force) as it experiences hardship. This knowledge is personal and empathetic, signifying that God is fully aware of our fears, our pain, our struggles, and our very essence during times of distress. This profound, relational understanding is a source of immense comfort, assuring us that our suffering is not overlooked or misunderstood by our Creator, but rather is held within His compassionate and knowing gaze.

**Is it truly possible to "be glad and rejoice" when in deep trouble?**

Answer: Yes, the psalmist's declaration in Psalms 31:7 demonstrates that it is. This "gladness and rejoicing" is not a naive denial of pain or a superficial happiness in the midst of suffering. Instead, it is a profound act of faith and a spiritual discipline. The psalmist's joy is not *in* the trouble itself, but *in God's character*—specifically, in His unwavering mercy (`chêçêd`) and His intimate knowledge of the psalmist's plight. It's a proactive choice to fix one's gaze on God's faithfulness and unchanging nature, rather than solely on the overwhelming circumstances. This allows for a deep-seated peace and spiritual resilience that transcends the immediate difficulties, a theme echoed in the New Testament where believers are called to rejoice in the Lord always, even amidst trials (e.g., [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always") and [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Joy in Trials")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 31:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent embodiment of God's `chêçêd`, His steadfast love and mercy, demonstrated supremely in His incarnation, life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection. The psalmist's joy in God's mercy foreshadows the believer's profound joy in the saving work of Christ, who, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly expressed God's compassionate heart. Jesus fully "considered" our trouble and "knew" our soul in adversities, not merely as an observer but as one who completely identified with humanity in its suffering. He is our [High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest"), having been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin. His journey to the cross was the ultimate "adversity" through which God's `chêçêd` triumphed, as He bore the full weight of human sin and suffering (as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")). Through Christ, we are assured that God not only sees and knows our deepest pains but has also provided the ultimate deliverance from sin and its consequences, enabling us to truly "be glad and rejoice" in His mercy, knowing that [in all things God works for the good of those who love him](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good"), and that our ultimate hope and eternal joy are secured in His resurrected life and promised return.

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

Isaiah 49:13

¶ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

Isaiah 63:9

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Psalms 119:153

¶ RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

2 Timothy 2:19

¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Galatians 4:9

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Isaiah 63:16

Doubtless thou [art] our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, [art] our father, our redeemer; thy name [is] from everlasting.

John 10:27

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