Psalm 31

The emphasis is on trusting (“taking refuge”) in the Lord, no matter how difficult the circumstances might be (vv. 1, 6, 14, 19). David was surrounded by subversive whispering campaigns and wicked conspiracies (vv. 8, 13, 15, 18, 20), and everything seemed against him. Even his best friends and neighbors didn’t want to be seen with him (vv. 11-13), and “fear was on every side” (v. 13). The reference to “a besieged city” in verse 21 (niv, nasb) has led some students to connect this volatile situation with David’s experience at Keilah (1 Sam. 23:1-15) or perhaps at Ziklag (1 Sam. 30). However, it appears that what is described in the psalm best fits what happened during the rebellion led by Absalom (2 Sam. 15–18). Over many months, Absalom led a subversive campaign against his father, and even Ahithophel, David’s wisest counselor, deserted the king and followed Absalom. “They took counsel together against me” (v. 13) reminds us of the conference recorded in 2 Samuel 17. If we take the phrase “besieged city” literally, it could refer to Jerusalem. After fleeing Jerusalem, David had made Mahanaim his headquarters (2 Sam. 17:24, 27), but it was never under siege. Perhaps the phrase should be taken metaphorically: “God showed me marvelous kindness as if I were in a besieged city.” If so, then it would parallel verse 20, which pictures God hiding His faithful ones in the Holy of Holies, which certainly isn’t to be taken literally. Out of this harrowing experience, David learned some valuable lessons and recorded them in this psalm. They can be summarized in three statements.