In our study of Psalm 31 we have found that it was possibly written during David’s battle with Absalom over the throne of Israel.  We have looked at several stanzas from this Psalm. Two of the more recent stanzas lead into our study this week.  The stanzas I speak of were ‘The Stanza Of Sorrow’ (Vs. 9-13), and ‘The Stanza Of Supplication’. (Vs. 14-18)

This week we turn to ‘The Stanza of Supply’ (Vs. 19-22), which says, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.”

It is in this stanza that David deals with four things God has supplied.  The first is ‘His Goodness’ mentioned in verse 19.  The word means to do or make that which causes gladness and joy in the welfare of another.  I notice that our God’s goodness is described as being ‘great’.  The indication is that there is no goodness like His.  We find in our text that God has ‘laid it up’ for them that ‘fear’ Him.  The phrase ‘laid it up’ means to place on us treasure.  The word ‘fear’ means to hold one up in a lofty place of awe.  He not only lays it up but He ‘works it out’ to those who ‘trust’ Him.  The word ‘trust’ has the idea of resting the whole being upon another.  Those that fear and trust Him with their all can surely exclaim, ‘God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me’.

In verse 20 we find another supply of our Lord.  It is the supply of a ‘Hiding Place’.  In describing this hiding place He tells us that it is in the ‘secret place of His presence’.  The Old Testament writer knew this place to be the Holy of Holies.  Oh, what a place of safety.  He uses the word ‘pavilion’ to describe this hiding place.  This word means an ornate tabernacle usually with a distinct steeple or domed shaped top.  The thought of God being a hiding place to run into as a refuge is only used by most in a time of trouble.  This text indicates that it is not a place to run to but a place to live in.  David said God hid him from two of his great enemies, his own pride and the slandering tongue of others.  I exclaim with the songwriter, ‘Hiding in Thee, Thou blest rock of ages, I’m hiding in Thee’.   Pride can have no part in the child that dwells wholly in this hiding place.  The tongue of others cannot wound him who dwells in the refuge of Christ.

The third thing David mentions that God has supplied is ‘His Marvelous Kindness’.  The word ‘kindness’ means to bow to another in order to show mercy and favor.  Do notice where David is in verse 21 when God showed him this kindness.  David says he is in a “…strong city.”  He is back in Jerusalem on the throne.

In verse 22 David shares the fourth thing God has supplied.  It is ‘Answers To His Supplications’.  David is repenting to God for speaking in haste.  David said I felt like I was alone.  He said I even put it in words, but then you heard my cry and brought me out as the victor of this battle.

Let us look at the last stanza. (Vs. 23-23)  I call it ‘The Stanza Of Stability’.  David speaks of the fact that all that has happened caused him to love the Lord more than he ever has.  “To bless Him who gives is easy, but to cling to Him who takes away is a work of grace.” (Spurgeon)  David tells us of the roots of his love for God.  It is because of God’s preservation of his life and his plentifully rewarding doom of his enemies.

David ends with a great note of encouragement.  The phrase “Be of good courage,” means keep your chin up.  Fear will always weaken courage always strengthens.  He tells those that listen to him to place their hope in the Lord.  It is when our hopes are in Him that we will find in a time of great adversity that He will draw near.  It is then He will put within us His own power.  Weary child of God, lift up your head.  Let us not be discouraged for our God is so faithful.  He will not fail.  He will come through for us!