Reading the Word

Psalm 31:19–24 (ESV)

¹⁹ 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! ²⁰ In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. ²¹ Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. ²² I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. ²³ Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. ²⁴ Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Understanding and Applying the Word

In times of difficulty, it can be easy to say “I am cut off from your sight” just as David had done. It feels like God is distant and unaware of what is happening to us. It can cause us to feel hopeless.

Even though we may feel like God is distant, it simply is not true! He knows what is happening in our lives and he hears our prayers. David says, “But you heard the voice of my peas for mercy when I cried to you for help.” It may have seemed at the time that God had not heard, but he had. And at the end of this psalm, David encourages God’s people to praise him for his goodness and faithfulness to us. He will preserve his people. Let us take courage and wait for him!

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