Psalms 31:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

PSALM 31 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed either when David was in great distress, or afterwards, in remembrance thereof, and of God's singular goodness in delivering him out of it, whence it is mixed of prayer and praises, of hopes and fears. But what those particular troubles were which David here speaks, is only matter of conjecture, and therefore I shall rather omit than confidently determine. David prayeth for preservation, according to his confidence which he putteth in God, Psalms 31:1-6, that he might rejoice in his mercy, Psalms 31:7,8. He declareth what he suffered from his enemies and friends, Psalms 31:9-13; but magnifieth the care and tenderness of God, Psalms 31:14-18; and praiseth him for his goodness to himself and to the faithful, Psalms 31:19-24. Let me never be ashamed, to wit, of my confidence in thy promises. In thy righteousness, i.e. by or for; or, according to thy faithfulness and goodness; both which come oft under the name of righteousness.