What does Psalm 31:23 mean?
ESV: Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
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.
NASB: Love the Lord, all His godly ones! The Lord watches over the faithful But fully repays the one who acts arrogantly.
CSB: Love the Lord, all his faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant.
NLT: Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
KJV: O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
NKJV: Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person.
Verse Commentary:
After explaining his approach to trust in God (Psalm 31:19–22), David turns his attention to the believers in Israel. He exhorts them to love the Lord. This exhortation echoes the first and greatest commandment the Lord gave the people of Israel. He announced: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5). Jesus said, "This is the great and first commandment" (Matthew 22:38). David assures the faithful that God preserves them. In other words, He protects and keeps them. He gives them grace to endure every affliction (2 Corinthians 12:9), and He escorts them safely to heaven (John 10:28).
On the other hand, God serves justice to proud evildoers, in abundance. A famous illustration of this is Jesus' story about a beggar named Lazarus, who was transported to Paradise, as opposed to an unrighteous rich man, who died and suffered in hell (Luke 16:19–23). Unbelievers may prosper in this life, but they will experience the same judgment as anyone else after they die (Hebrews 9:27).
Verse Context:
Psalm 31:23–24 closes the song of praise with a call to worship. After explaining God's prior rescue, and asking for deliverance, David encourages others. Those who love God should humbly rest in the Lord's power, allowing that trust to bring courage.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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.
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