Psalm 31 14

Psalm 31:14 kjv

But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

Psalm 31:14 nkjv

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

Psalm 31:14 niv

But I trust in you, LORD; I say, "You are my God."

Psalm 31:14 esv

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

Psalm 31:14 nlt

But I am trusting you, O LORD,
saying, "You are my God!"

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 14 Meaning

Psalm 31:14 expresses a decisive and personal declaration of faith in the midst of adversity. The psalmist, though surrounded by fear, plotting, and rejection, emphatically declares his unwavering trust in the Lord and proclaims an exclusive, personal relationship with God, affirming "You are my God." It signifies a deliberate shift from observing distressing circumstances to anchoring one's hope and identity solely in the faithful character of Yahweh.

Psalm 31 14 Context

Psalm 31 is a profound lament where the psalmist (traditionally David) pours out his soul in a time of extreme distress. Prior to verse 14, he describes feeling trapped by enemies, defamed, shunned by friends, and treated as dead. He expresses fear, pain, and overwhelming anxiety, mentioning the plotting of those who seek to take his life (vv. 9-13). Verse 14 marks a pivotal shift within the psalm from a desperate description of outward circumstances and internal anguish to a resolute declaration of personal faith and commitment. It stands as an assertive contrast to the surrounding negativity, signifying a deliberate choice to fix his hope on God regardless of the trials. Historically, this aligns with many periods of David's life, marked by intense persecution and betrayal, where his only recourse was the Lord.

Psalm 31 14 Word analysis

• But as for me (וַאֲנִי, wa'ani): This is a strong adversative conjunction with a personal pronoun, emphasizing a deliberate distinction. It powerfully contrasts the psalmist's personal stance with the preceding description of his enemies' actions and his own fears. It translates as "but I myself" or "however, I." It marks a resolute individual commitment.
• I trust (בָּטַחְתִּי, baṭaḥtî): This verb means "to lean on," "to rely upon," "to be confident in," "to feel secure." It conveys more than just intellectual assent; it speaks of a complete, confident resting or firm reliance upon an external object or person. The perfect tense indicates a settled, continuous act of trusting.
• in You (בְּךָ, bəkhā): The preposition bə means "in" or "upon," and the suffix khā is the second person masculine singular pronoun, referring directly to God. This emphasizes that God Himself is the exclusive object and sphere of his trust.
• O Lord (יהוה, Yahweh): This is the unutterable, covenant name of God, revealing His personal, relational, and self-existent nature ("I AM WHO I AM," Ex 3:14). By addressing God by His covenant name, the psalmist appeals to God's unchanging faithfulness and power as the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It deepens the personal nature of the trust.
• I say (אָמַרְתִּי, ’āmartî): This verb means "to say," "to declare," or "to speak." The perfect tense suggests a concluded action, indicating a decisive, conscious, and often vocalized declaration. It's not a mere internal thought but an uttered conviction, transforming belief into confession.
• "You are my God" (אֵלִי אַתָּה, 'ēlí 'attāh):
  • You are (אַתָּה, ’attāh): This is the emphatic second-person singular pronoun "you." It strongly affirms the personal and direct identity.
  • my God (אֵלִי, 'ēlí): El (אֵל) is a common Semitic word for "god" or "deity," often associated with power and strength. The suffix -i (י) means "my," making it deeply personal. This declaration signifies an exclusive, covenantal relationship. It implies sole allegiance, rejecting any other gods or sources of ultimate reliance. This also carries an indirect polemic against the polytheism prevalent in the ancient Near East, affirming Yahweh as the only God who belongs to him.

Words-group analysis:

• "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord": This phrase highlights a profound act of choosing and commitment. Despite the overwhelming external pressures (from "But") and personal despair described just before, the psalmist actively decides to place his complete confidence not in human means or self-pity, but entirely in the personal, covenant-keeping God. It's a defiant stand of faith amidst fear.
• "I say, 'You are my God'": This is a vocalized, public (even if to God alone) affirmation of the relationship. It is the language of covenant and identity. By "saying" it, the internal belief is externalized, making it a firm confession that binds the speaker to God and declares God's exclusive ownership and supreme place in his life. This declaration provides the ultimate ground for his trust.

Psalm 31 14 Bonus section

The declarative "I say, 'You are my God'" serves as an essential component of personal spiritual warfare. In declaring truth, especially truths about God and our relationship with Him, believers are participating in a spiritual discipline that aligns their will and focus with divine reality. This echoes the concept in Romans 10:9-10, where belief in the heart leads to confession with the mouth for salvation, showing the vital connection between internal conviction and outward declaration. The consistent use of the first-person singular ("I," "my") throughout the verse underscores the intensely personal nature of this commitment. This isn't just theological agreement but a profound, lived relationship. The contrast between David's desperate plea in the earlier verses and this declaration highlights the reality of walking by faith—it is often in the lowest points that true faith asserts itself most strongly. This verse also finds echoes in the new covenant, where believers through Christ confess Jesus as Lord and God (Jn 20:28), solidifying their relationship with the Triune God as "their God."

Psalm 31 14 Commentary

Psalm 31:14 stands as a magnificent pivot of faith amidst the storm. After cataloging the intense afflictions, betrayals, and fears, the psalmist turns from his lament to a definitive declaration. It's not merely a sentiment but a conscious and deliberate act of will. "But as for me" forcefully announces a choice to distinguish himself from those who rely on false hopes or despair. His "trust" (baṭaḥ) signifies a confident leaning into Yahweh, the personal and covenant-keeping God, rather than any other perceived source of security. This trust is not passive resignation, but an active resting and confident hope. The subsequent "I say, 'You are my God'" verbalizes this profound internal commitment. By audibly declaring this, the psalmist solidifies his identity as one who exclusively belongs to God, and God's identity as his unique and sovereign Lord. This verbal confession, often seen in ancient covenant declarations, expresses the highest form of allegiance, directly contradicting any worldly or idol-based allegiances. In essence, it declares, "Even though all seems lost, and I am surrounded by threats, I refuse to give in to despair. Instead, I boldly affirm that Yahweh is my God, and He alone is worthy of my complete trust and loyalty." This confession re-establishes divine truth over distressing circumstance, providing a foundation for resilience and ultimate deliverance.

Examples:

• When facing a severe illness and feeling abandoned, declaring: "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.'"
• During times of financial crisis when temptation to worry is strong: "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.'"
• When friends or family turn away or betray: "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.'"