Psalm 31 23

Psalm 31:23 kjv

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Psalm 31:23 nkjv

Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person.

Psalm 31:23 niv

Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.

Psalm 31:23 esv

Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Psalm 31:23 nlt

Love the LORD, all you godly ones!
For the LORD protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes the arrogant.

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 23 Meaning

Psalm 31:23 is an impassioned call to all those devoted to the Lord to wholeheartedly love Him. It anchors this exhortation in two foundational truths about God's character: He consistently preserves and protects those who are faithful and steadfast, while justly and completely recompensing those who act with pride and arrogance. It affirms divine justice and encourages responsive devotion.

Psalm 31 23 Context

Psalm 31 is a poignant prayer of lament and trust from David in a time of profound distress. He pleads for rescue from relentless enemies, experiencing emotional anguish, physical decay, and social ostracism. Throughout the psalm, David alternates between expressing his deep trouble and affirming his unwavering trust in God. Verse 23 appears immediately after David has recounted God's extraordinary saving work on his behalf (vv. 21-22), marveling at the Lord's "marvelous lovingkindness." Having personally experienced God's faithfulness amidst his despair, David's words shift from petition to passionate praise and then to a collective exhortation. It is a direct response to divine deliverance, calling the wider community of God's loyal people to similarly express their love and devotion, confident in God's character as protector of the righteous and punisher of the wicked. This historical context of personal tribulation culminating in divine intervention provides the experiential bedrock for the universal theological statement in verse 23.

Psalm 31 23 Word analysis

• Oh, love (אֲהֵבוּ - 'ahavu): This is an imperative command, conveying a strong exhortation to affectionate and loyal devotion. It is a call not merely for intellectual assent but for the full engagement of one's being in loving Yahweh, reflective of the core commandment of Israel. The Oh, serves as an interjection expressing heartfelt earnestness and exclamation.

• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, faithful, and unchangeable character. The call is to love this specific God, Israel's deliverer, who has proven Himself reliable and true.

• all you His saints (חֲסִידָיו - ḥasidaw): Plural of chasid, meaning "His loyal/godly/pious ones." This term is rooted in hesed, God's covenant loyalty and steadfast love. Thus, "saints" here refers to those who not only receive God's hesed but also demonstrate responsive hesed—faithfulness and devotion—back to Him. It distinguishes a specific group of people by their relationship with God.

• The LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): Reiterates the subject, emphasizing that this same personal, covenant God is the active agent in both preserving and punishing.

• preserves (נֹצֵר - notser): Means to guard, watch over, keep safe, protect. It signifies God's active, continuous care and vigilant custody over those who are faithful to Him. This preservation is comprehensive, covering physical, spiritual, and existential well-being.

• the faithful (אֱמוּנִים - emunim): Plural of emun or related to emunah (faithfulness/trustworthiness). It refers to those who are firm, stable, trustworthy, loyal, and true in their devotion and actions towards God. Their character aligns with the ḥasidim (saints).

• And fully pays back (שֶׁלֶם - shillem ʿal yettêr): Shillem implies complete and certain restitution or recompense. The phrase ʿal yettêr literally means "upon excess" or "in addition," suggesting a comprehensive or abundant repayment—the justice meted out is thorough and leaves nothing outstanding.

• the proud doer (גֵאֶה עֹשֵׂה - ge'eh 'oseh): Ge'eh means arrogant, haughty, proud, elevated. 'Oseh means one who acts, a doer. This refers to someone whose actions are characterized by arrogant self-exaltation, disdain for God, and oppression of others. It implies actions stemming from an ungodly attitude, a stark contrast to the humble trust of the faithful.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!": This phrase is an imperative, passionate, and collective call to devotion. It signifies that genuine love for God is expected from those who identify as His loyal covenant people, and this love should be total.
  • "The LORD preserves the faithful": This serves as the first justification for the preceding command to love. It highlights God's attribute of faithfulness in safeguarding those who are faithful to Him, demonstrating His covenant keeping and protective nature.
  • "And fully pays back the proud doer": This is the second justification, underscoring God's absolute justice. It provides reassurance to the faithful (who often suffer at the hands of the proud) that the Lord will decisively deal with those who act in arrogance against Him and His people. The "full" recompense ensures no evil deed goes unanswered.

Psalm 31 23 Bonus section

The positioning of Psalm 31:23 after David’s declaration of God's "marvelous lovingkindness" (hesed) is crucial. It suggests that our command to "love the LORD" ('ahavu YHWH) is a response to the hesed He first shows to His "saints" (ḥasidaw). The reciprocal nature of hesed (loyal love/faithfulness) is strongly implied; God's unwavering hesed fosters responsive human hesed. This creates a theological framework where God's active, preserving loyalty is matched by the believers' active, loving devotion. The ultimate confidence comes from God’s justice balancing the scales; He defends His reputation and vindicates His people by justly dealing with the arrogant who defy His moral order. This also links the Psalm to the broader Deuteronomic theology, where Israel's covenant love for Yahweh (Deut 6:5) is directly connected to God's blessing and preservation (Deut 30:16-20), while disobedience and pride lead to consequences.

Psalm 31 23 Commentary

Psalm 31:23 functions as both a declaration of faith and a theological instruction. Following a profound experience of God's deliverances, David's response is an exuberant and prescriptive call to the entire community of believers. It highlights that God's actions toward humanity are based on character and relationship. He is not merely a distant deity but intimately involved in the affairs of His people. The divine protection promised to the faithful is not a guarantee of a trouble-free life but an assurance of ultimate safety and security under God's watchful eye, both physically and spiritually. Conversely, the "full repayment" to the proud doer speaks to God's uncompromising justice; no arrogance or injustice against Him or His ways will go unpunished. This isn't merely a promise of future retribution but a present reality that often manifests in consequences within their earthly lives, culminating in eschatological judgment. The verse thus motivates love for God by presenting Him as the benevolent protector of the humble and the righteous judge of the arrogant, providing both comfort and a call to moral rectitude.

• Practical example: In times of perceived injustice, a faithful believer can find solace in knowing God sees and will "fully pay back" those who act with oppressive pride, rather than seeking personal vengeance. This allows for patience and trust in divine timing.
• Practical example: The call to "love the LORD" is a daily reminder that active devotion and loyalty should flow from understanding His protective nature and righteous judgment. It encourages a life lived in responsiveness to His character.