Note: this Psalm has been the subject of a lot of debate. Prof Ernst Wendland has published a paper which reviews other proposals and offers his own insights.( A Literary-Structural Approach to Psalms’ Analysis, with special reference to Psalm 31) available on Researchgate. I found this paper very helpful in coming to the following conclusion. Verses 1-5 is a chiastic section as previously posted, Verses 6-8 praise YHWH for deliverance. Verses 9-18 describe the plight of the one who is suffering and pleads for help. Verses 19-24 praise YHWH for deliverance. The Psalm has an ABA’B’ structure if we follow the sequence of Plea/Praise/Plea/Praise. However, there are two key words for “trust” that would give an ABB’A’ pattern. No single pattern is good enough to do justice to this Psalm but at least searching for themes and structure really helps appreciate its beauty and power.
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OF DAVID.
A. Deliver me – I trust YHWH
a. 1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust (hasa);
let me never be ashamed:
deliver me in thy righteousness.
b. 2 Bow down thine ear to me;
deliver me speedily:
be thou my strong rock,
for an house of defence to save me.
b’. 3 For thou art my rock and my fortress;
therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me:
for thou art my strength.
a’. 5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit:
thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
B. I trust YHWH and will rejoice in thy mercy
6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities:
but I trust (batah) in the LORD.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy:
for thou hast considered my trouble;
thou hast known my soul in adversities;
8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy:
thou hast set my feet in a large room.
B’. Have mercy upon me because I trusted YHWH
9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble:
mine eye is consumed with grief,
yea, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is spent with grief,
and my years with sighing:
my strength faileth because of mine iniquity,
and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies,
but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance:
they that did see me without fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind:
I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the slander of many:
fear was on every side:
while they took counsel together against me,
they devised to take away my life.
14 But I trusted (batah) in thee, O LORD:
I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me
from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant:
save me for thy mercies‘ sake.
17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee:
let the wicked be ashamed,
and let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence;
which speak grievous things
proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
A’. Blessed be YHWH in whom I trusted
a.19 Oh how great is thy goodness,
which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee;
which thou hast wrought for them that trust (hasa) in thee
before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence
from the pride of man:
thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion
from the strife of tongues.
b. 21 Blessed be the LORD:
for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness
in a strong city.
a’. 22 For I said in my haste,
I am cut off from before thine eyes:
nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications
when I cried unto thee.
b’. 23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints:
for the LORD preserveth the faithful,
and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart,
all ye that hope in the LORD.