Psalm 31:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

NIV: How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

NASB: How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have performed for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of mankind!

CSB: How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you. In the presence of everyone you have acted for those who take refuge in you.

NLT: How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.

KJV: Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

NKJV: Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!

David praises the Lord's lavish goodness. He does not place a measure on God's goodness, because it is immeasurable. It extends far beyond our need. His goodness abounds in times of trial as well as in times of plenty. Paul writes in Romans 5:17 about the abundance of grace. He also states, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" (Romans 5:20).

According to David, God's goodness is not merely plentiful, it is also always stockpiled and ready. This goodness, David says, is there for those who reverence God. The believer does not have to worry that the Lord's goodness will suddenly run out. Those who reverence Him also trust in Him for protection. David views the Lord's goodness as available "for those who take refuge in" the Lord. Nahum 1:7 affirms, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him."

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.