311 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge.
Let me never be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Bow down your ear to me.
Deliver me speedily.
Be to me a strong rock,
a house of defense to save me. 3 For you are my rock and my fortress,
therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me. 4 Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me,
for you are my stronghold.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 31:1-4
Commentary on Psalm 31:1-8
(Read Psalm 31:1-8)
Faith and prayer must go together, for the prayer of faith is the prevailing prayer. David gave up his soul in a special manner to God. And with the words, ver. 5, our Lord Jesus yielded up his last breath on the cross, and made his soul a free-will offering for sin, laying down his life as a ransom. But David is here as a man in distress and trouble. And his great care is about his soul, his spirit, his better part. Many think that while perplexed about their worldly affairs, and their cares multiply, they may be excused if they neglect their souls; but we are the more concerned to look to our souls, that, though the outward man perish, the inward man may suffer no damage. The redemption of the soul is so precious, that it must have ceased for ever, if Christ had not undertaken it. Having relied on God's mercy, he will be glad and rejoice in it. God looks upon our souls, when we are in trouble, to see whether they are humbled for sin, and made better by the affliction. Every believer will meet with such dangers and deliverances, until he is delivered from death, his last enemy.