The New Testament frequently refers to Christ in the Psalms, reflecting the deep-seated belief that Christ is present throughout the Psalter. After his resurrection, Jesus reminds his disciples how he had told them that “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). God’s Word in the Psalms spoke of Jesus.
Many are acquainted with Psalm 22:1, which Jesus quoted during his crucifixion: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Yet, Jesus also referenced Psalm 31:5: “Into your hand I commit my spirit” (Lk. 23:46). Upon a recent reading of the entire Psalm, I was captivated by how much of it, not just verse 5, resonated with the life and experiences of Jesus. As Jerome puts it, “The whole psalm is understood about David according to history and about the Lord according to prophecy” (Brief Commentary on Psalm 31).
Christ is present throughout the Psalter.
The heading of Psalm 31 designates it as one of David’s compositions. Though the specific circumstances leading to the psalm are unclear, David, in keeping with his pattern in other psalms, entreats God as his refuge and earnestly seeks deliverance. In his familiar manner, David reaffirms his unwavering trust in God, entrusting his life into the faithful hands of Yahweh. But what if we were to read this Psalm with a “Jesus lens”?
Trust in God’s Deliverance and Gracious Love (Psalm 31:1–8)
The entire thrust of the Psalm reflects trust in God’s deliverance, even in the face of distress and enemies. The first two verses give the overarching theme of the entire psalm, conveying a sense of urgency and desperation. David asks God to be his refuge, provide deliverance, and give him guidance. He expresses absolute trust in God’s unwavering support.
Jesus demonstrates absolute trust in his Father, especially during moments of great trial.
With our “Jesus lens,” we remember how Jesus demonstrates absolute trust in his Father, especially during moments of great trial. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus commits himself into his Father’s hands and commits to his Father’s will. On the cross, Jesus expresses his trust in God when he quotes from this psalm (Lk. 23:46). As when Jesus quoted from Psalm 22, he wasn’t randomly choosing a proof text, but identifying himself with the entire psalm. So in the same way that David experienced God’s unwavering trustworthiness and gracious deliverance, we witness a parallel truth in the life of the Greater David, Jesus Christ. The entire life of Jesus echoes the theme of his Father’s trustworthiness, surpassing even the faithful experiences of King David.
Suffering, Sorrow, Reproach, and Grief (Psalm 31:9–13)
In verses 9–13, the psalm continues, painting a graphic picture of David’s circumstances. He endured suffering, grappled with distress, navigated the depths of grief, and sensed the weight of reproach upon him. One author states, “He suffered emotional affliction (v. 7), physical affliction (vv. 8, 13), spiritual affliction (vv. 10, 22), and relational affliction (vv. 11, 13). Every area of his life was affected by his suffering.”
What about the Greater David? Jesus, too, faced intense emotional turmoil, notably in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he grappled with the weight of his impending crucifixion, expressing deep distress and sorrow. Jesus also faced relational affliction. He was betrayed, deserted, and denied by his closest companions. Moreover, Jesus endured excruciating physical suffering during his crucifixion as he experienced the agony of Calvary. Jesus, on the cross, experienced a profound spiritual anguish, identifying himself with our anguish, as he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was indeed “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3).
Assurance of God’s Love, Faithfulness, and Goodness (Psalm 31:14–24)
At least three times in this Psalm, David reminds himself of God’s hesed or faithful love (vv. 7, 16, 21). This is not a syrupy or sappy love, but a love that gets to the heart of God’s character and faithfulness. Many authors and theologians have tried to express what this love means. The most memorable definition I have come across was written for children by Sally Lloyd-Jones as she defines love as, “a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.” There are many examples of this kind of love in the Old Testament, and it is clearly expressed in Romans 8. It is a love from which we can never be separated. David was assured of God’s love and commitment to him.
Jesus, as God’s Son and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, experienced a profound and unbreakable bond with the Father.
Much like David’s unshakable assurance of God’s love and steadfastness, we see an even greater manifestation of this unwavering trust in the life of Jesus, the Greater David. Jesus, as God’s Son and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, experienced a profound and unbreakable bond with the Father. From the very beginning of his earthly ministry, Jesus epitomized a relationship with his Father marked by divine love and commitment. This relationship was affirmed at his baptism, upheld in his temptation, revealed in his works, and most clearly manifested in his sacrifice on the cross and triumphant resurrection.
Conclusion
In Psalm 31, we find a clear message: God provides grace to cope with the effects of our trials and afflictions. Just as Yahweh was enough for David and the Father proved enough for Jesus, God is indeed enough for us. Like David and our Greater David, Jesus, we must choose to place our trust in his assurance. Trials are certain, but even more certain is the sustaining grace of God.
