The Meaning of Psalms 31:1 Explained

Psalms 31:1

KJV: {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

YLT: To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. In Thee, O Jehovah, I have trusted, Let me not be ashamed to the age, In Thy righteousness deliver me.

Darby: {To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.} In thee, Jehovah, do I trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

ASV: In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge; Let me never be put to shame: Deliver me in thy righteousness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{To the chief Musician,  A Psalm  of David.  }} In thee, O LORD,  do I put my trust;  let me never  be ashamed:  deliver  me in thy righteousness. 

What does Psalms 31:1 Mean?

Study Notes

trust
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Trust is the characteristic O.T. word for the N.T. "faith," "believe." It occurs 152 times in the O.T., and is the rendering of Heb. words signifying to take refuge (e.g. Ruth 2:12 "to lean on" (e.g.) Psalms 56:3 "to roll on" (e.g.) Psalms 22:8 "to stay upon" (e.g.) Job 35:14 .

Context Summary

Psalms 31:1-13 - A Cry Out Of Deep Trouble
Some have supposed that this psalm was written during the Sauline persecutions; but it is more likely that it dates from Absalom's rebellion. It alternates between the depths of despondency and the heights of sublime faith, and well befits those who walk in darkness and have no light, Isaiah 50:10.
It sounds as if the soul were on a wind-swept moor, with no shelter from the storm. All is dark and wild; and it dreads to be caught in the entangling net, Psalms 31:4. What a magnificent prayer is that of Psalms 31:5! It supplied their last words to Stephen, Polycarp, Bernard, Hus, Luther, Melanchthon-above all, to our Lord, Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59. The Psalter was our Lord's prayer book. This verse is a suitable petition also, as we go forth into the unknown day, 2 Timothy 1:12.
Sin, slander, neglect make the heart break; but God is all-sufficient. Hide in Him; that life is safe which is God-encompassed. "Hid with Christ in God!" Colossians 3:1-4. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 31

1  David, showing his confidence in God, craves his help
7  He rejoices in his mercy
9  He prays in his calamity
19  He praises God for his goodness

What do the individual words in Psalms 31:1 mean?

To the Chief Musician a Psalm of David In You Yahweh I put my trust never let me be ashamed let me never in Your righteousness Deliver me
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד בְּךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה חָ֭סִיתִי אַל־ אֵב֣וֹשָׁה לְעוֹלָ֑ם בְּצִדְקָתְךָ֥ פַלְּטֵֽנִי

לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ  To  the  Chief  Musician 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָצַח  
Sense: to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.
מִזְמ֥וֹר  a  Psalm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְמֹור  
Sense: melody, psalm.
לְדָוִֽד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
בְּךָ֖  In  You 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
יְהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
חָ֭סִיתִי  I  put  my  trust 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: חָסָה  
Sense: (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection.
אַל־  never 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
אֵב֣וֹשָׁה  let  me  be  ashamed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: בֹּושׁ 
Sense: to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed.
לְעוֹלָ֑ם  let  me  never 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
בְּצִדְקָתְךָ֥  in  Your  righteousness 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.
פַלְּטֵֽנִי  Deliver  me 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: פָּלַט  
Sense: to escape, save, deliver, slip away.