Psalm 31, Part 3 of 3

Verses 19-21

19 How great is your goodness,

which you have stored up for those who fear you,

which you bestow in the sight of men

on those who take refuge in you.

20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men;

in your dwelling you keep them safe

from accusing tongues.

21 Praise be to the Lord,

for he showed his wonderful love to me

when I was in a besieged city.

22 In my alarm I said,

“I am cut off from your sight!”

Yet you heard my cry for mercy

when I called to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all his saints!

The Lord preserves the faithful,

but the proud he pays back in full.

24 Be strong and take heart,

all you who hope in the Lord.

When Others See the Victory, Give God the Glory!

This comes as a surprise to people but nothing happens that is outside of the God’s will—either His permissive will or His active will. Either He is allowing something to happen (e.g. the testing of Job) or is causing something to happen (the calling of Saul to be Paul and witness to the Gentiles).

As a result, victory or defeat is from the Lord and there’s a reason and a purpose behind it! That’s why it is so important that we are in His will. It’s not important that the Lord is on our side—it’s important that we be on HIS side!

Look at verses 21 and 22. David was remembering the time when the Lord delivered and rescued him through a very difficult time. Yet, David confesses that he was scared. He thought the Lord had abandoned him! “Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.”

David finishes this Psalm by reminding us to love the Lord. He preserves us when we are faithful and he pays back the proud in full. Interesting choice of words. You see, if we got what we deserved, the result would be death. We are sinners and are far from God naturally but through faith by HIS grace, we can stay close to His side.

Therefore (verse 24), “Be strong and take heart all you who hop in th
e Lord”

Isa 40:31

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.