Psalm 31:21 kjv
Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
Psalm 31:21 nkjv
Blessed be the LORD, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!
Psalm 31:21 niv
Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.
Psalm 31:21 esv
Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.
Psalm 31:21 nlt
Praise the LORD,
for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
Psalm 31 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 31:7 | "I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love..." | Precursor to v.21, emphasis on His Hesed |
| Psa 18:2 | "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer..." | God as deliverer in times of siege |
| Psa 3:3 | "But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory..." | God's protection in distress |
| Psa 116:3 | "The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me..." | Feeling of overwhelming threat |
| Isa 26:1 | "We have a strong city; he sets up salvation..." | God as the secure dwelling, protection |
| 2 Sam 22:1 | "And David spoke to the LORD the words of this song... when the LORD had delivered him..." | Historical context of deliverance (David) |
| Psa 6:4 | "Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love." | Plea for deliverance based on Hesed |
| Psa 103:8 | "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." | Describes God's character of Hesed |
| Lam 3:22 | "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end..." | Continual nature of God's Hesed |
| Gen 32:10 | "I am unworthy of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness..." | Hesed experienced in unworthiness |
| Exod 34:6 | "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love..." | foundational revelation of God's Hesed |
| Rom 8:35 | "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution...?" | God's unyielding love amidst trouble (NT) |
| 2 Cor 1:10 | "He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us." | Experience of past and future deliverance |
| Eph 2:4 | "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us..." | God's love as basis of salvation |
| Heb 13:5 | "I will never leave you nor forsake you." | Assurance of God's constant presence |
| Phil 4:6 | "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication..." | Responding to overwhelming circumstances with prayer |
| Psa 34:19 | "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." | God's ultimate deliverance from many troubles |
| Psa 91:1-2 | "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress...'" | Metaphorical 'shelter' and security |
| Nah 1:7 | "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him." | God as a stronghold in distress |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." | Encouragement to trust in God's care in anxiety |
| Psa 57:10 | "For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds." | Magnitude of God's Hesed |
| Jonah 2:2 | "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice." | Deliverance from seemingly hopeless situations |
Psalm 31 verses
Psalm 31 21 Meaning
Psalm 31:21 expresses profound gratitude and adoration for the Eternal God (the LORD) for His extraordinary and remarkable demonstration of unfailing, covenantal love (hesed) towards the speaker. This act of divine faithfulness occurred specifically during a time of intense vulnerability and extreme peril, likened to being trapped and surrounded "in a city under siege." The verse pivots from lament to a confident declaration of God's goodness and delivers a message of hope and deliverance stemming from the very character of God.
Psalm 31 21 Context
Psalm 31 is a deeply personal prayer, classified as a lament Psalm that moves into praise. It is often attributed to David, expressing his distress, pleading for deliverance from enemies and slander, and then affirming his steadfast trust in God. The preceding verses (1-20) are marked by intense suffering, betrayal by friends, social rejection, and profound psychological distress, to the point of feeling like "a broken vessel" (v.12) and being "in deep waters" (v.15). Verse 21 marks a significant transition: a shift from desperate pleading to confident praise. It reflects a breakthrough in faith, acknowledging God's deliverance either realized or fully expected due to God's inherent character. The "city under siege" metaphor captures the feeling of being utterly surrounded, helpless, and vulnerable to external threats, magnifying the extraordinary nature of God's rescue. This transition highlights the biblical truth that even in the most dire circumstances, turning to God in faith can bring forth His mighty and faithful hand.
Word Analysis
- Blessed: בָּרוּךְ (barukh). This word is a participle, functioning as an adjective, meaning "blessed" or "praised." When applied to the LORD, it declares Him worthy of praise, acknowledging His inherent goodness and mighty deeds. It is not a request for God to be blessed, but an acclamation that He is blessed, possessing all power and excellence.
- be the LORD: יְהוָה (YHWH, Adonai). This is the personal, covenant name of God, revealed to Moses (Exod 3:14). Its presence signifies an intimate, relational declaration of praise, rooted in God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His people. It points to God as the sovereign, self-existent One who intervenes personally.
- for he has wondrously shown: כִּי הִפְלִיא (ki hifli’). "Ki" means "for" or "because," giving the reason for the blessing. "Hiflia'" comes from the root פָּלָא (pala'), meaning "to be distinct," "to be wonderful," or "to perform a miracle." The Hiphil stem indicates that God is the one performing the extraordinary act. It suggests an action that is unique, beyond natural human capability, astonishing, and even miraculous. This highlights the unexpected and powerful nature of God's intervention.
- his steadfast love: חַסְדּוֹ (chasdo). This is a critically important theological term, "Hesed" (lovingkindness, loyal love, covenant faithfulness, mercy, grace). It describes God's constant, unfailing loyalty to His covenant people, His undeserved grace, and His deep, abiding commitment. It is not merely a feeling but an active, persistent doing of good based on commitment. Its appearance here confirms that God's actions are not random but stem from His unchanging, faithful character.
- to me: לִי (li). The personal pronoun "to me" emphasizes the direct, individual experience of God's steadfast love. It shows the deeply personal nature of David's testimony and highlights that God's grand attributes are applied specifically and intimately to individual lives.
- when I was in a city under siege: בְּעִיר מָצוֹר (b'ir matsor). "B'ir" means "in a city," and "matsor" refers to a "siege," "fortification," or "distress." This phrase vividly describes a situation of extreme danger, entrapment, and isolation. It is a powerful metaphor for being overwhelmed, surrounded by enemies or troubles, and having no apparent escape. It speaks to a profound sense of helplessness where one feels completely exposed and vulnerable. This makes God's intervention all the more remarkable. The historical context might be specific (e.g., Keilah, Ziklag for David), but the spiritual meaning applies to any time of profound and existential threat.
Words-Group Analysis
- Blessed be the LORD: This is a declarative acclamation, a call to praise God, recognizing His supreme authority and inherent goodness. It contrasts with the previous laments and sets a tone of gratitude and worship.
- for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love: This phrase directly connects the reason for praise to God's character and actions. "Wondrously shown" speaks to the supernatural, unexpected, and unique nature of God's intervention, emphasizing that His "steadfast love" is not merely passive but actively demonstrated in powerful ways, especially in moments of great need. This combines God's essential being (Hesed) with His active engagement in the world.
- to me when I was in a city under siege: This powerful concluding phrase specifies the critical condition in which God's miraculous love was displayed. It underscores the severity of the threat ("city under siege"), highlighting extreme vulnerability, and personalizes the experience ("to me"), making God's intervention profoundly relevant and awe-inspiring. It serves as a personal testimony of God's faithfulness in desperate circumstances.
Psalm 31 21 Commentary
Psalm 31:21 is a pivotal statement in a psalm otherwise dominated by deep distress. It serves as an example of turning one's gaze from overwhelming circumstances to the character and acts of God. The psalmist blesses God not for the siege, but in spite of it, because God wondrously demonstrated His covenant love during the siege. The use of "Hesed" is central; it reminds the worshiper that God's actions are always consistent with His loyal, unwavering, and gracious commitment to His people, even when circumstances seem to contradict it. This "wondrous" manifestation signifies that God's rescue was not just an ordinary event but an extraordinary, miraculous deliverance that transcended natural explanation, reinforcing His sovereignty and care. The "city under siege" metaphor highlights the ultimate human condition of helplessness when faced with insurmountable odds, making God's intervention a testament to His omnipotence and unwavering faithfulness. This verse moves beyond mere deliverance to a profound recognition of who God is and how He acts: sovereignly, miraculously, and out of unfailing love.Example: A person facing severe financial ruin finds an unexpected avenue for relief, realizing it was God's hand moving behind the scenes. Or, someone enduring prolonged illness experiences a miraculous improvement, recognizing God's specific and gracious intervention.
Bonus SectionThe psalmist's shift from lament to praise in this verse underscores the transformative power of recalling God's past faithfulness. This transition is not always linear; sometimes praise can be a deliberate act of faith before the full deliverance is seen, based solely on God's character. The phrase "wondrously shown" (הִפְלִיא - hifli') points to divine interventions that leave no doubt about their supernatural origin, compelling those who experience them to declare God's unique power. This idea is pervasive in Scripture, affirming God's readiness to act in extraordinary ways when His people are in impossible situations. The "city under siege" resonates throughout the biblical narrative as a symbol of humanity's existential fragility and the need for a divine deliverer (e.g., God delivering Israel from Egypt, which was metaphorically a 'siege' of oppression). This verse implicitly polemicizes against any notion of fate, chance, or gods unable to intervene in the human predicament, asserting the active, personal, and miraculous involvement of the true God.