Psalm 31 7

Psalm 31:7 kjv

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

Psalm 31:7 nkjv

I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities,

Psalm 31:7 niv

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.

Psalm 31:7 esv

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,

Psalm 31:7 nlt

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,
for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul.

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 7 Meaning

Psalm 31:7 expresses David's resolute decision to find joy and exultation not in his present circumstances of intense distress, but in the unwavering covenant loyalty and merciful steadfastness of God. His joy is anchored in the profound conviction that the Lord has not only attentively observed his profound suffering but also possesses an intimate, experiential understanding of the deepest afflictions of his very being, his soul, during numerous and overwhelming adversities. It is a declaration of trust that anticipates divine deliverance rooted in God's character.

Psalm 31 7 Context

Psalm 31 is a profound psalm of lament and trust attributed to David, likely composed during a period of intense personal danger and distress. The initial verses (1-6) depict David's desperate plea for deliverance, detailing the various forms of opposition, physical debilitation, emotional anguish, and social isolation he experiences. He feels abandoned by friends and trapped by his enemies who plot against him. Verse 7 marks a pivotal turning point within this lament. Instead of continuing in complaint, David shifts to an expression of determined confidence and worship. This transition, from dire complaint to affirmation of trust, is a hallmark of many Psalms, demonstrating a foundational faith that acknowledges suffering yet ultimately grounds itself in God's unchanging character and past faithfulness, thereby anticipating future rescue.

Psalm 31 7 Word analysis

• I will be glad and rejoice:

  • וְאֶגִּילָה (ve'egilah) – "I will be glad," from gil (גִיל), often connotes exultation, ringing out for joy, a jubilant expression that sometimes includes spinning or dancing.
  • וְאֶשְׂמְחָה (ve'esmecha) – "and rejoice," from samach (שָׂמַח), referring to inner delight, pleasure, or happiness.
  • Both verbs are in the cohortative form (a kind of future/volitional form in Hebrew), signifying a deliberate choice, an act of the will, a firm resolve to find joy, even if the present circumstances don't immediately produce it. This joy is not a passive emotion but an active posture of faith.

• in Your mercy:

  • בְּחַסְדֶּךָ (bechasdeka) – "in Your steadfast love/mercy." This uses hesed (חֶסֶד), a core theological term in the Old Testament. Hesed denotes covenant faithfulness, loyalty, enduring love, kindness, and goodness that prompts active help and deliverance. It’s not merely pity or a passing emotion, but a deep, active, and loyal commitment of God to His people. It is the solid ground of David's joy.

• for You have considered my trouble;

  • כִּי (ki) – "for," acts as a causal conjunction, explaining why David chooses to rejoice: it is because of God's specific actions and knowledge.
  • רָאִיתָ (ra'ita) – "You have considered/seen," from ra'ah (רָאָה). This implies more than a superficial glance. It signifies God having looked upon David's condition with attentive care, regarding it closely, taking it into account. God isn't indifferent; He actively notices.
  • בְּעָנְיִי (be'onyi) – "my trouble/affliction," from oni (עֹנִי). This word describes a state of misery, oppression, affliction, or humbled circumstances. It encompasses physical pain, emotional anguish, and external pressures that weigh one down.

• You have known my soul in adversities:

  • יָדַעְתָּ (yada'ta) – "You have known," from yada' (יָדַע). This knowledge is profound and intimate, not merely intellectual. It speaks of a deep, experiential, personal acquaintance, much like the covenantal knowledge shared between God and His people (e.g., Amos 3:2). It means God understands David's internal state deeply, having been present with him throughout his trials.
  • נַפְשִׁי (nafshi) – "my soul," from nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ). While often translated "soul," nephesh in Hebrew typically refers to the entire person, the vital principle, one's very being, or inner self including thoughts, feelings, and desires. Here it signifies David's innermost being, implying God's intimate knowledge of his spirit and emotions in the depths of his distress.
  • בַּצָּרוֹת (batzarot) – "in adversities/distresses," from tsarah (צָרָה), often translated as narrowness, tightness, or anguish. The plural form emphasizes manifold or intense troubles, like being pressed in on all sides, symbolizing dire situations and extreme pressure.

• "You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities."This two-part statement underscores God's perfect empathy and attentiveness. God doesn't just see the external trouble (oni), but He deeply understands the internal, core impact on the person's nephesh when enduring manifold pressures (tsarot). It conveys comfort in divine omniscience combined with active, loving care.

Psalm 31 7 Bonus section

The active choice to "be glad and rejoice" found in this verse highlights the difference between fleeting happiness, which depends on outward circumstances, and profound joy rooted in a spiritual reality. This joy is a divine gift that can be embraced through faith, even when emotional responses are struggling. The progression in the verse from the external "trouble" to the internal "soul" under attack signifies God's holistic engagement with humanity—He doesn't just address surface issues but penetrates to the very core of our being in distress. This verse stands in stark contrast to pagan deities often depicted as capricious, indifferent, or even actively hostile. Instead, Yahweh is revealed as one who personally identifies with the suffering of His creation and covenant partners, actively engaging with their deepest pains out of His unwavering loyal love (hesed). This specific characteristic of God knowing the soul in adversities is a distinctive comfort found in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Psalm 31 7 Commentary

Psalm 31:7 serves as a powerful testament to David's robust faith, showcasing how a believer can transition from a state of deep complaint to confident praise even while still in the midst of overwhelming hardship. His joy is not contingent on his circumstances improving but is firmly rooted in God's immutable character – His hesed, His covenant loyalty and enduring love. The key to this profound shift is David's conviction regarding God's active involvement in his suffering.

The verse emphasizes two crucial aspects of God's divine care: "You have considered my trouble" (ra'ah) and "You have known my soul in adversities" (yada'). This isn't just a casual observation by God but an attentive, empathetic seeing, and an intimate, experiential knowledge of the deepest parts of David's being, even within the most suffocating trials. God not only perceives the outward pressures (trouble, affliction) but profoundly understands the inward toll they take on one's very essence (soul). This assurance—that God sees, truly understands, and deeply cares—becomes the wellspring of joy, regardless of immediate physical or emotional relief. It is a timeless declaration that our hope and gladness come not from the absence of difficulty, but from the secure presence and active understanding of a loving, faithful God.

• Example: A Christian facing a serious health crisis may still pray with thanksgiving, not because the pain has ceased, but because they believe God hears their prayers, understands their suffering, and is present with them.
• Example: When struggling with betrayal, a believer can find joy in the Lord by remembering that God Himself knows the depths of rejection and betrayal and is a faithful refuge.