9 Be gracious unto me, Jehovah, for I am in trouble: mine eye wasteth away with vexation, my soul and my belly. 10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength faileth through mine iniquity, and my bones are wasted. 11 More than to all mine oppressors, I am become exceedingly a reproach, even to my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that see me without flee from me. 12 I am forgotten in [their] heart as a dead man; I am become like a broken vessel. 13 For I have heard the slander of many—terror on every side—when they take counsel together against me: they plot to take away my life. 14 But I confided in thee, Jehovah; I said, thou art my God. 15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from my persecutors. 16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save me in thy loving-kindness. 17 Jehovah, let me not be ashamed; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, let them be silent in Sheol. 18 Let the lying lips become dumb, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 31:9-18
Commentary on Psalm 31:9-18
(Read Psalm 31:9-18)
David's troubles made him a man of sorrows. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was acquainted with grief. David acknowledged that his afflictions were merited by his own sins, but Christ suffered for ours. David's friends durst not give him any assistance. Let us not think it strange if thus deserted, but make sure of a Friend in heaven who will not fail. God will be sure to order and dispose all for the best, to all those who commit their spirits also into his hand. The time of life is in God's hands, to lengthen or shorten, make bitter or sweet, according to the counsel of his will. The way of man is not in himself, nor in our friend's hands, nor in our enemies' hands, but in God's. In this faith and confidence he prays that the Lord would save him for his mercies's sake, and not for any merit of his own. He prophesies the silencing of those that reproach and speak evil of the people of God. There is a day coming, when the Lord will execute judgment upon them. In the mean time, we should engage ourselves by well-doing, if possible, to silence the ignorance of foolish men.