Psalm 31 1

Psalm 31:1 kjv

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Psalm 31:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.

Psalm 31:1 niv

For the director of music. A psalm of David. In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

Psalm 31:1 esv

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!

Psalm 31:1 nlt

O LORD, I have come to you for protection;
don't let me be disgraced.
Save me, for you do what is right.

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 1 Meaning

Psalm 31:1 is a direct declaration of profound and active trust in YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. The psalmist expresses an unwavering decision to take refuge solely in the Lord, articulating an urgent plea never to be disgraced or put to public shame. This fervent petition for deliverance is grounded not in the psalmist's merit or strength, but entirely in God's intrinsic righteousness and just character, which assures His faithful intervention on behalf of those who trust in Him. The verse sets the foundational posture of deep reliance that pervades the entire psalm, which interweaves expressions of distress with confident faith.

Psalm 31 1 Context

Psalm 31, a Michtam of David, is a fervent prayer likely composed during a period of intense personal or national crisis, possibly reflecting David's experiences under persecution from Saul or other adversaries. The psalm paints a vivid picture of a psalmist besieged by enemies, false accusations, deep emotional distress, and possibly physical ailments (vv. 9-13). Despite these overwhelming challenges, Psalm 31:1 opens with a resolute declaration of trust in God. This initial statement serves as the unshakeable foundation for the subsequent outpouring of lament and petition, grounding the psalmist's desperate pleas in unwavering confidence in God's character. In the historical and cultural context, a plea for rescue and vindication to one's deity was common among leaders. David, however, specifically trusts in YHWH, setting Him apart from the fickle or limited power of contemporary pagan deities by emphasizing His unique covenant faithfulness and active righteousness as the basis for deliverance.

Psalm 31 1 Word analysis

• In thee, O LORD (בְּךָֽ־יְהוָ֣ה, Bəḵā-YHWH):
  • Bəḵā ("in you"): The preposition bə indicates location, highlighting that the trust is placed within the very being of God, implying profound dependence and a deep, personal relationship rather than abstract belief.
  • YHWH (the LORD): The personal, covenantal name of God. It signifies His unchanging, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, underscoring that the object of trust is the living, relational God of Israel, not a distant or generic deity.
• do I put my trust (חָ֭סִיתִי, ḥāsîṯî):
  • From the Hebrew verb ḥāsāh (to take refuge, to seek shelter). This is an active and deliberate decision to flee to God for ultimate protection. It conveys total reliance and the complete surrender of one's vulnerability to God's care, much like a small creature sheltering under the wings of its mother. It's a statement of desperate hope rooted in absolute confidence.
• let me never be ashamed (אַל־אֵבֹ֣וֺשָׁה לְּעוֹלָ֑ם, ʾal-ʾêḇōwšāh ləʿôlām):
  • ʾal-ʾêḇōwšāh ("let me not be ashamed"): In biblical culture, shame implied public humiliation, disgrace, or the failure of expectations, particularly in a context of justice or divine intervention. If God did not deliver, it would indicate that the psalmist's trust was misplaced, bringing disrepute not only upon the psalmist but, more importantly, upon God's reputation for faithfulness.
  • ləʿôlām ("forever," "never"): The adverb 'forever' used with the negative prohibition emphasizes the desire for a permanent and ultimate vindication, that the psalmist's faith will never, at any time or under any circumstance, be shown to be foolish or result in lasting dishonor.
• deliver me (פַלְּטֵֽנִי׃, pallaṭênî):
  • From the verb pālaṭ (to escape, to be rescued, to be brought to safety). This is an urgent, intense cry for immediate and decisive salvation from pressing danger or an imminent threat. It conveys a desire for God to snatch him away from peril.
• in thy righteousness (בְּצִדְקָתְךָ֥, bəṣiḏqāṯəḵā):
  • tṣedaqah (righteousness, justice, vindication, salvation): In biblical theology, God's righteousness is not merely His moral attribute of being just and perfect, but an active, saving quality. It refers to His covenant faithfulness to act righteously by upholding His promises, vindicating the oppressed, and justly intervening to rescue those who trust in Him. The psalmist appeals to God's inherent character as the compelling reason for Him to deliver, confident that God's very nature demands righteous action.

Psalm 31 1 Bonus section

• The three imperative-like clauses—"do I put my trust," "let me never be ashamed," and "deliver me"—form a powerful, escalating sequence of faith, desperate plea, and confident expectation.
• The Psalm 31:1 statement of trust is foundational for the entire psalm, which then oscillates between lament over acute suffering (e.g., v. 9-13, 22) and triumphant affirmations of God's steadfast love and faithfulness (e.g., v. 7-8, 19, 23-24). The initial trust is the anchor.
• David's expression of shame also touches upon polemics. If pagan gods failed, their worshippers were shamed; David's prayer is a confident declaration that YHWH will not bring shame upon His devotee, asserting His supremacy and faithfulness above all other powers.
• The choice of pālaṭ ("deliver") rather than simply "save" (yasha') might emphasize a narrow, almost miraculous escape from a truly perilous situation, indicating the intense nature of the psalmist's need for God's swift intervention.

Psalm 31 1 Commentary

Psalm 31:1 is a profound expression of utter dependence on God in the face of grave distress. It showcases a deliberate act of entrusting one's entire being and circumstances into God's sovereign hands, recognizing Him as the sole and ultimate refuge. The plea "let me never be ashamed" is deeply significant; it highlights the core expectation that a God-fearing trust will always be vindicated, affirming God's unfailing honor and reputation, and securing the believer's place. The critical pivot for deliverance is "thy righteousness," underscoring that God's justice is intrinsically connected to His active salvation and faithfulness. He does not save out of whim, but out of His unchanging, righteous character. This verse instructs believers to bring their desperate circumstances to God with bold confidence, resting their hope on His unblemished nature rather than their own merit, certain that He will act justly to rescue those who faithfully take refuge in Him.

• Practical usage: In moments of feeling overwhelmed by challenges, declare your trust, "In You, O Lord, I put my trust." When unfairly accused or experiencing failure, appeal to God: "Let me never be ashamed," trusting Him for your vindication. When faced with impossible situations, pray for intervention based on His character: "Deliver me in Your righteousness."