Psalm 31 19

Psalm 31:19 kjv

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Psalm 31:19 nkjv

Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!

Psalm 31:19 niv

How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 31:19 esv

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

Psalm 31:19 nlt

How great is the goodness
you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 19 Meaning

Psalm 31:19 proclaims the overwhelming abundance of God's goodness. This goodness is multifaceted: it is both reserved and secure, "stored up" for those who fear Him, yet also actively "worked" and revealed in the lives of those who seek refuge in Him. This divine benevolent activity is not hidden but openly displayed "in the sight of the children of mankind," serving as a public testament to God's character.

Psalm 31 19 Context

Psalm 31 is a powerful psalm of lament and trust, often attributed to King David during a period of profound distress and danger. Throughout the psalm, David cries out to God, detailing the physical ailments, emotional despair, and relentless opposition from enemies and betrayers (vv. 9-13). He feels abandoned, like a "broken vessel." However, amidst this deep suffering, David anchors himself in unwavering trust in the Lord, declaring his dependence and commitment to God's hands (vv. 14-16). Verse 19 then marks a striking shift from intense petition and confession of dire circumstances to a triumphant doxology. It is a burst of praise and confident affirmation of God's abundant goodness, not as something currently experienced in fullness but as an eternal truth and a guaranteed reality for those who belong to Him. This shift highlights the psalm's central theme: enduring trust in God's character even when immediate circumstances are dire, culminating in the anticipation of His certain salvation and blessing.

Psalm 31 19 Word analysis

• "Oh, how abundant" (מָה רַב, mah rav): An emphatic exclamation expressing extreme quantity, greatness, or wonder. Mah is "how" or "what," and rav means "much," "great," "numerous," "abundant." It conveys a sense of boundless, overflowing plenitude, emphasizing that God's goodness is beyond human measure or comprehension.
• "is your goodness," (טוּבְךָ, tuvkha): From the Hebrew word טוב (tov), meaning "good," "pleasant," "beneficial," "beautiful," "bountiful." It speaks of God's inherent, unchanging character of benevolent kindness, generosity, and moral perfection. It's not just His doing good, but His very nature being good, from which all good flows.
• "which you have stored up" (אֲשֶׁר צָפַנְתָּ, asher tzafanta): From צָפַן (tsaphan), meaning "to hide," "to lay up," "to reserve," "to treasure." This implies a secret, secure, and enduring provision. It suggests a vast reservoir of blessings kept safe and secure by God's hand, reserved for future enjoyment or revelation. It points to blessings that are certain and untouched by earthly decay or misfortune.
• "for those who fear you" (לִירֵאֶיךָ, liye'reyaekha): From יָרֵא (yare), which is more than mere terror. It signifies profound reverence, awe, worship, and humble obedience towards God. This "fear" springs from a proper understanding of His holiness, power, and love, leading to a trusting relationship where one submits to His will.
• "and worked" (פָּעַלְתָּ, pa'alta): From פָּעַל (pa'al), meaning "to make," "to do," "to effect," "to perform," "to accomplish." In contrast to "stored up," this word emphasizes God's active, dynamic, and observable demonstration of His goodness in the present and past. It speaks of His concrete actions, interventions, and providence in the lives of His people, visible and impactful.
• "for those who take refuge in you," (לַחֹסִים בָּךְ, lachōsīm bakh): From חָסָה (chasah), meaning "to seek shelter," "to trust," "to put one's hope in." This describes active reliance on God for protection and deliverance, especially in times of trouble. It speaks of a deep, dependent trust that turns to God alone as a sanctuary and source of security, implicitly turning away from other potential sources of help.
• "in the sight of the children of mankind!" (נֶגֶד בְּנֵי אָדָם, neged b'nei adam):
  • "in the sight of" (נֶגֶד, neged): Means "before," "in the presence of," "over against." It highlights the public nature of God's demonstration of His goodness.
  • "the children of mankind" (בְּנֵי אָדָם, b'nei adam): A common idiom for "humanity" or "all people." This means God's goodness, though specifically manifested for His faithful ones, is not hidden but made openly visible. It serves as a testimony, drawing the attention of all observers to His greatness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Oh, how abundant is your goodness,": This opening exultation sets the tone, focusing on the sheer quantity and immeasurable quality of God's benevolent character. It reflects an immediate, overwhelming awareness of divine generosity.
• "which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you": This parallelism defines two interconnected expressions of God's goodness and two facets of genuine faith. "Stored up" signifies His hidden, yet secure and certain future provisions (often eternal or yet-to-be-revealed). "Worked" points to His active, visible, and historical demonstrations of goodness in the present. The recipients are those who reverently obey and faithfully rely on Him, demonstrating that fear and refuge are integral to a covenant relationship with God.
• "in the sight of the children of mankind!": This phrase emphasizes the public display and testimonial nature of God's goodness. His active intervention and blessings upon His faithful are not performed in secret but serve as an open declaration of His power, righteousness, and love to all humanity, serving as an invitation and challenge to those who do not yet trust Him.

Psalm 31 19 Bonus section

• Polemics: This verse stands in stark contrast to pagan beliefs prevalent at the time, which often depicted gods as fickle, cruel, or indifferent. Psalm 31:19 declares a personal, good God who actively cares for His devoted followers, challenging any worldview that sees the universe as random or controlled by arbitrary forces.
• Nature of God's Goodness: God's goodness is not merely an attribute He possesses, but a fundamental aspect of His very being. He is good, and therefore all His actions and provisions flow from this inherent benevolence, distinguishing Him from human rulers or forces.
• Encouragement in Trials: This verse provides immense hope during periods of suffering, as experienced by David in this psalm. Even when blessings seem distant or hidden ("stored up"), the believer can hold onto the assurance of God's unwavering character and His promise to act ("worked") for those who trust Him.

Psalm 31 19 Commentary

Psalm 31:19 is a spontaneous outburst of praise and theological affirmation, erupting from a context of deep personal affliction. It celebrates the infinite vastness of God's goodness, asserting it as both a reserved treasure and an actively dispensed blessing. The distinction between "stored up" and "worked" presents a profound truth: God's goodness encompasses both His eternal, unwavering commitment to future glory for His people and His present, ongoing acts of benevolent intervention in their lives. The beneficiaries of this divine generosity are precisely those who cultivate a posture of reverential "fear" (awe, obedience, worship) and absolute "refuge" (trust, reliance, seeking shelter) in Him. Far from being a private, exclusive benefit, this goodness is strikingly displayed "in the sight of the children of mankind." This public manifestation glorifies God, bears witness to His faithfulness, and implicitly extends an invitation for others to behold and enter into a relationship with the Source of such goodness. This verse provides immense comfort, assuring believers that despite immediate trials, God's limitless goodness is eternally certain and actively present, publicly affirming His unfailing character.