Psalm 31

A prayer is followed by an expression of trust in God. That order is familiar in the Psalms, as indeed time in prayer should remind us of God's faithfulness. Yet our needs continue. David's lament beginning in verse 9 is yet another indication of how difficult David's life really was. The sword certainly never left his side, as there was always an uprising or a struggle to take care of. This for the man after God's own heart. Why would I expect a perfect life?

The lament leads David back to a stanza of expression of trust in God. Verse 14 brings him back on the road to God, and this time he reaches praise by verse 19.

"The Lord preseves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full."