{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/cmt/jfb/psa031.htm","path":"bib/cmt/jfb/psa031.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/jfb/psa031.htm","text":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]\nExpresses the general tone of feeling of the Psalm.\nHe seeks help in God's righteous government (Psa 5:8), and begs for an attentive hearing, and speedy and effectual aid. With no other help and no claim of merit, he relies solely on God's regard to His own perfections for a safe guidance and release from the snares of his enemies. On the terms \"rock,\" &c., (compare Psa 17:2; Psa 18:2, Psa 18:50; Psa 20:6; Psa 23:3; Psa 25:21).\ncommit my spirit--my life, or myself. Our Saviour used the words on the Cross [Luk 23:46], not as prophetical, but, as many pious men have done, as expressive of His unshaken confidence in God. The Psalmist rests on God's faithfulness to His promises to His people, and hence avows himself one of them, detesting all who revere objects of idolatry (compare Deu 32:21; Co1 8:4).\nhast known my soul, &c.--had regard to me in trouble.\nshut me up . . . enemy--abandon to (Sa1 23:11).\nlarge room--place of safety (compare Psa 18:19).\nmine eye, &c.--denotes extreme weakness (compare Psa 6:7).\ngrief--mingled sorrow and indignation (Psa 6:7).\nsoul and . . . belly--the whole person.\nThough the effects ascribed to grief are not mere figures of speech--\nspent . . . consumed--must be taken in the modified sense of wasted and decayed.\niniquity--or, suffering by it (see on Psa 40:12).\namong--or, literally, \"from,\" or, \"by\" my enemies. The latter clauses describe the progress of his disgrace to the lowest degree, till,\nhe is forgotten as one dead, and contemned as a useless broken vessel.\nFor--introduces further reasons for his prayer, the unjust, deliberate, and murderous purposes of his foes.\nIn his profession of trust he includes the terms of the prayer expressing it.\ntimes--course of life.\ndeliver . . . hand--opposed to \"shut me up,\" &c., of Psa 31:8.\nMake . . . shine--(Compare Num 6:25; Psa 4:6). Deprecating from himself, he imprecates on the wicked God's displeasure, and prays that their virulent persecution of him may be stopped.\nGod displays openly His purposed goodness to His people.\nthe secret of thy presence--or, covering of Thy countenance; the protection He thus affords; compare Psa 27:5 for a similar figure; \"dwelling\" used there for \"presence\" here. The idea of security further presented by the figure of a tent and a fortified city [Psa 31:21].\nFor I said--literally, \"And I said,\" in an adversative sense. I, thus favored, was despondent.\nin my haste--in my terror.\ncut off . . . eyes--from all the protection of Thy presence.\nthe Lord . . . proud doer--literally, \"the Lord is keeping faith,\" that is, with His people, and is repaying, &c. Then let none despair, but take courage; their hopes shall not be in vain.","title":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments: Psalms: Psalms Chapter 31","type":"page"}