31:1 < (a) For then God declares himself just, when he preserves his as he has promised. 31:4 Pull me out of the {b} net that they have laid privily for me: for thou [art] my strength. (b) Preserve me from the crafty counsels and subtle practise of my enemies. 31:5 Into thine {c} hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. (c) He desires God not only to take care of him in this life, but that his soul may be saved after this life. 31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I {d} trust in the LORD. (d) This affection should be in all God's children to hate whatever is not grounded on a sure trust in God, as deceitful and vain. 31:8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a {e} large room. (e) Largeness signifies comfort, as straitness, sorrow and peril. 31:9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine {f} eye is consumed with grief, [yea], my soul and my belly. (f) Meaning, that his sorrow and torment had continued a great while. 31:11 I was a {g} 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. (g) My enemies had drawn all men to their part against me, even my chief friends. 31:13 For I have heard the slander of {i} many: fear [was] on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. (i) They who were in authority condemned me as a wicked doer. 31:14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, {k} Thou [art] my God. (k) I had this testimony of conscience, that you would defend my innocence. 31:15 My {l} times [are] in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. (l) Whatever changes come, you govern them by your providence. 31:17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, [and] let them be {m} silent in the grave. (m) Let death destroy them to the intent that they may hurt no more. 31:19 [Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou {n} hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (n) The treasures of God's mercy are always laid up in store for his children, even at all times they do not enjoy them. 31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the {o} secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. (o) That is, in a place where they will have your comfort, and be hid safely from the enemies pride. 31:21 Blessed [be] the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a {p} strong city. (p) Meaning, there was no city strong enough to preserve him, as the defence of God's favour. 31:22 For I said in my {q} haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. (q) And so by my rashness and infidelity deserved to have been forsaken. 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall {r} strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. (r) Be constant in your calling, and God will confirm you with heavenly strength. | |