Psalm 31:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!

NIV: Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

NASB: Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your faithfulness.

CSB: Make your face shine on your servant; save me by your faithful love.

NLT: Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.

KJV: Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

NKJV: Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake.

In the ancient middle east, references to a "shining" face implied joy and happiness. Even today, in modern English, we say that a face showing intense happiness is "beaming." God causing His face to shine on someone implied His favor and blessing. This turn of phrase blended well with the Hebrew concept of "light" as the embodiment of truth and goodness. The idea of God shining His face, thus bringing a blessing, was a major component in Aaron's designated blessing for Israel (Numbers 6:22–27). Other psalms echo the same imagery (Psalm 4:6; 67:1; 80:3).

Although he was anointed to be king, David identifies himself as the Lord's servant. Humility is a virtue every believer should possess. It's an especially crucial attitude when approaching God in prayer. Even a king of people on earth should humbly recognize how finite and dependent he is on the King of the universe.

David asks not only for God's undeserved favor, but also for deliverance from his enemies (Psalm 31:11–15). His plea for rescue is grounded in faith in the Lord's unfailing love. Victory over harsh circumstances and persecution is possible only because the Lord is gracious and loving!

Psalm 31:14–22 comes after David expressed sorrow over persecution and abandonment. Despite hardship, David tells God he still trusts in Him. He regarded the Lord as the foundation of his confidence. David asks the Lord to be forgiving and merciful, preserving him from the enemies who have attacked him. This passage celebrates God's forgiving nature, while looking back on prior instances of rescue.

Because God has rescued him in the past, David chooses to trust the Lord even when he is in danger. Neighbors and friends may abandon him, and enemies may plot, but David is confident he will be vindicated. He also calls on others to be firm and brave as they choose to trust in God.

David mentions dangers and enemies in this psalm. He may have been referring to besieged cities such as Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1–15) or Ziklag (1 Samuel 30). Despite the plots of his enemies and abandonment by friends, David trusts in the Lord, receives an answer to his prayer, and encourages his fellow believers to love the Lord and be strong. This echoes themes also seen in Psalms 4, 25, and 71.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.