Psalm 31:6
I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.
I hate
The Hebrew word used here is "שָׂנֵא" (sane), which conveys a strong aversion or intense dislike. In the context of the Psalms, this term often reflects a righteous indignation against sin and idolatry. The psalmist's use of "hate" is not a call to personal animosity but a declaration of moral and spiritual opposition to practices that lead people away from God. This reflects a deep commitment to God's holiness and a desire to align one's heart with His values.

those who cling
The phrase "cling to" is translated from the Hebrew "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to guard, keep, or hold fast. This suggests a deliberate and persistent attachment. In the biblical context, it implies a conscious choice to adhere to something. The psalmist contrasts this with his own choice to trust in the LORD, highlighting the importance of where one places their loyalty and devotion.

worthless idols
The term "worthless" comes from the Hebrew "הֶבֶל" (hebel), often translated as "vanity" or "emptiness." It denotes things that are fleeting, insubstantial, and ultimately unfulfilling. "Idols" refers to physical objects or concepts that people worship in place of the true God. In ancient Israel, idolatry was a constant temptation, often leading the people away from their covenant relationship with God. The psalmist's disdain for idols underscores the futility of worshiping anything other than the one true God, who alone is worthy of trust and devotion.

as for me
This phrase marks a personal declaration and a turning point in the verse. It emphasizes the psalmist's individual choice and commitment. In the midst of a culture that may be swayed by idolatry, the psalmist stands firm in his personal faith. This reflects the biblical theme of personal responsibility in one's relationship with God, encouraging believers to make a conscious decision to follow Him.

I trust
The Hebrew word "בָּטַח" (batach) means to have confidence, to be secure, or to rely on. Trust in the biblical sense is not merely intellectual assent but involves a deep-seated reliance and confidence in God's character and promises. The psalmist's trust is active and ongoing, reflecting a relationship built on faithfulness and experience of God's past deliverance and provision.

in the LORD
The term "LORD" is the English representation of the Hebrew "יהוה" (YHWH), the personal name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenantal faithfulness to His people. By declaring trust in the LORD, the psalmist affirms his allegiance to the God of Israel, who is both sovereign and intimately involved in the lives of His people. This trust is rooted in the understanding of God's unchanging nature and His steadfast love, which provides a firm foundation for faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 31, David is expressing his trust in God amidst adversity. He contrasts his faith with the idolatry of others.

2. Idolaters
Those who "cling to worthless idols," representing people who place their trust in false gods or material things rather than the one true God.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and trustworthiness as opposed to the futility of idols.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Idolatry
Idols, whether physical or metaphorical, are ultimately worthless and cannot provide the security or fulfillment that only God can offer.

Trust in the LORD
True security and peace come from placing our trust in God, who is faithful and sovereign over all circumstances.

Exclusive Devotion
Our relationship with God requires exclusive devotion, rejecting anything that competes for our allegiance.

Discernment in Worship
Believers must be vigilant in identifying modern-day idols in their lives, such as money, power, or status, and turn their hearts fully to God.

The Example of David
David's life demonstrates the importance of trusting God even when surrounded by those who do not share the same faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "worthless idols" that people might cling to, and how can we identify them in our own lives?

2. How does trusting in the LORD provide a foundation for peace and security, especially in times of trouble?

3. In what ways can we cultivate a heart of exclusive devotion to God, similar to David's example in this Psalm?

4. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament reinforce the message of Psalm 31:6 regarding idolatry and trust?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between trusting in God and relying on something else. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from that experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-5
The commandment against idolatry, highlighting God's desire for exclusive worship and the futility of idols.

1 Kings 18:21
Elijah's challenge to the Israelites to choose between God and Baal, illustrating the choice between true worship and idolatry.

Matthew 6:24
Jesus' teaching on serving two masters, emphasizing the impossibility of serving both God and material wealth.

1 John 5:21
A New Testament exhortation to keep away from idols, reinforcing the theme of exclusive devotion to God.
'Lying Vanities'Alexander MaclarenPsalm 31:6
Trust the Antidote of Superstitious VanitiesF. D. Maurice, M. A.Psalm 31:6
A Prayer for Grace in TroubleC. Short Psalm 31:1-8
Man Trusting in JehovahHomilistPsalm 31:1-8
The Saint Rehearsing His Experience of the Great Protector's CareC. Clemance Psalm 31:1-24
Be... for Thou ArtA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 31:2-8
Divine Guidance and LeadingHugh Stowell.Psalm 31:2-8
Duty and DestinyW. Forsyth Psalm 31:5, 15
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Cling, Confided, Confident, Full, Gods, Hate, Hated, Hatest, Hope, Idols, Lying, Observe, Observers, Pay, Regard, Trust, Vain, Vanities, Worthless
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 31:6

     5864   futility
     5875   hatred

Library
Goodness Wrought and Goodness Laid Up
'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!'--PSALM xxxi. 19. The Psalmist has been describing, with the eloquence of misery, his own desperate condition, in all manner of metaphors which he heaps together--'sickness,' 'captivity,' 'like a broken vessel,' 'as a dead man out of mind.' But in the depth of desolation he grasps at God's hand, and that lifts him up out of the pit. 'I trusted
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Hid in Light
'Thou shall 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.'--PSALM xxxi. 20. The word rendered 'presence' is literally 'face,' and the force of this very remarkable expression of confidence is considerably marred unless that rendering be retained. There are other analogous expressions in Scripture, setting forth, under various metaphors, God's protection of them that love Him. But I know not that there is any
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Into Thy Hands'
'Into Thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.'--PSALM xxxi. 5. The first part of this verse is consecrated for ever by our Lord's use of it on the Cross. Is it not wonderful that, at that supreme hour, He deigned to take an unknown singer's words as His words? What an honour to that old saint that Jesus Christ, dying, should find nothing that more fully corresponded to His inmost heart at that moment than the utterance of the Psalmist long ago! How His mind must
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Lying Vanities'
'They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.'--JONAH 11. 8. Jonah's refusal to obey the divine command to go to Nineveh and cry against it is best taken, not as prosaic history, but as a poetical representation of Israel's failure to obey the divine call of witnessing for God. In like manner, his being cast into the sea and swallowed by the great fish, is a poetic reproduction, for homiletical purposes, of Israel's sufferings at the hands of the heathen whom it had failed to warn. The
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Be for Thou Art'
Be Thou to me a strong Rock, an house of defence to save me. 3. For Thou art my Rock and my Fortress.'--PSALM xxxi. 2, 3 (R.V.). It sounds strange logic, 'Be ... for Thou art,' and yet it is the logic of prayer, and goes very deep, pointing out both its limits and its encouragements. The parallelism between these two clauses is even stronger in the original than in our Version, for whilst the two words which designate the 'Rock' are not identical, their meaning is identical, and the difference
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"My Times are in Thy Hand"
Having thus taken to the best resource by trusting in Jehovah, and having made the grandest claim possible by saying, "Thou art my God", the Psalmist now stays himself upon a grand old doctrine, one of the most wonderful that was ever revealed to men. He sings, "My times are in thy hand." This to him was a most cheering fact: he had no fear as to his circumstances, since all things were in the divine hand. He was not shut up unto the hand of the enemy; but his feet stood in a large room, for he was
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

That it is Sweet to Despise the World and to Serve God
Now will I speak again, O my Lord, and hold not my peace; I will say in the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, who is exalted above all, Oh how plentiful is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee!(1) But what art Thou to those who love Thee? What to those who serve Thee with their whole heart? Truly unspeakable is the sweetness of the contemplation of Thee, which Thou bestowest upon those who love Thee. In this most of all Thou hast showed me the sweetness of Thy charity,
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God,
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Father, I Know that all My Life
"My times are in Thy hand." -- Psalm 31:15 Father, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me, And the changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see; But I ask Thee for a present mind Intent on pleasing Thee. I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching wise, To meet the glad with joyful smiles, And to wipe the weeping eyes; And a heart at leisure from itself, To soothe and sympathize. I would not have the restless will That hurries to and fro, Seeking for some great
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations

His Journey to South Russia.
1853. The call which John Yeardley had received to visit the German colonies in South Russia, and which had lain for a long time dormant, now revived. A friend who had watched with regret his unsuccessful attempts on former journeys to enter that jealous country, and who augured from the political changes which had taken place that permission might probably now be obtained, brought the subject again under his notice. The admonition was timely and effectual. After carefully pondering the matter--with,
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

Whether Faith is Required of Necessity in the Minister of a Sacrament?
Objection 1: It seems that faith is required of necessity in the minister of a sacrament. For, as stated above [4401](A[8]), the intention of the minister is necessary for the validity of a sacrament. But "faith directs in intention" as Augustine says against Julian (In Psalm xxxi, cf. Contra Julian iv). Therefore, if the minister is without the true faith, the sacrament is invalid. Objection 2: Further, if a minister of the Church has not the true faith, it seems that he is a heretic. But heretics,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Other Fragments on the Psalms. Ii.
On Psalm xxxi. 22. Of the Triumph of the Christian Faith. The mercy of God is not so "marvellous" when it is shown in humbler cities as when it is shown in "a strong city," [1389] and for this reason "God is to be blessed."
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus

My Spirit on Thy Care
[861]Emmaus: [862]St. Michael: Louis Bourgeois, 1551; Arr. William Crotch, 1836 Psalm 31 Henry F. Lyte, 1834 My spirit on Thy care, Blest Savior, I recline; Thou wilt not leave me to despair, For Thou art love divine. In Thee I place my trust, On Thee I calmly rest; I know Thee good, I know Thee just, And count thy choice the best. Whate'er events betide, Thy will they all perform: Safe in Thy breast my head I hide, Nor fear the coming storm. Let good or ill befall, It must be good for me; Secure
Various—The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine's similitude of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil. 2. Question answered in respect to God and man. Example from the history of Job. The works of God distinguished from the works of Satan and wicked men. 1. By the design or end of acting. How Satan acts in the reprobate. 2. How God acts in them. 3. Old Objection, that the agency of God in such cases is referable to prescience or permission, not actual operation.
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
THE question as to the Rabbinic views in regard to the binding character of the Law, and its imposition on the Gentiles, in Messianic times, although, strictly speaking, not forming part of this history, is of such vital importance in connection with recent controversies as to demand special consideration. In the text to which this Appendix refers it has been indicated, that a new legislation was expected in Messianic days. The ultimate basis of this expectancy must be sought in the Old Testament
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

There are Some Things of this Sort Even of Our Saviour in the Gospel...
27. There are some things of this sort even of our Saviour in the Gospel, because the Lord of the Prophets deigned to be Himself also a Prophet. Such are those where, concerning the woman which had an issue of blood, He said, "Who touched Me?" [2431] and of Lazarus. "Where have ye laid him?" [2432] He asked, namely, as if not knowing that which in any wise He knew. And He did on this account feign that He knew not, that He might signify somewhat else by that His seeming ignorance: and since this
St. Augustine—Against Lying

The Death of the Righteous
'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Phil 1:1I. Paul was a great admirer of Christ. He desired to know nothing but Christ, and him crucified. I Cor 2:2. No medicine like the blood of Christ; and in the text, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' I. For to me to live is Christ. We must understand Paul of a spiritual life. For to me to live is Christ, i.e.' Christ is my life; so Gregory of Nyssa; or thus, my life is made up of Christ. As a wicked man's life is made up of sin,
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

How they are to be Admonished who Lament Sins of Deed, and those who Lament Only Sins of Thought.
(Admonition 30.) Differently to be admonished are those who deplore sins of deed, and those who deplore sins of thought. For those who deplore sins of deed are to be admonished that perfected lamentations should wash out consummated evils, lest they be bound by a greater debt of perpetrated deed than they pay in tears of satisfaction for it. For it is written, He hath given us drink in tears by measure (Ps. lxxix. 6): which means that each person's soul should in its penitence drink the tears
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Nature of Justification
Justification in the active sense (iustificatio, {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is defined by the Tridentine Council as "a translation from that state wherein man is born a child of the first Adam, to the state of grace and of the adoption of the sons of God through the second Adam,
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

"The Truth. " Some Generals Proposed.
That what we are to speak to for the clearing and improving this noble piece of truth, that Christ is the Truth, may be the more clearly understood and edifying, we shall first take notice of some generals, and then show particularly how or in what respects Christ is called the Truth; and finally speak to some cases wherein we are to make use of Christ as the Truth. As to the first. There are four general things here to be noticed. 1. This supposeth what our case by nature is, and what we are all
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Jesus, My Rock.
When the storm and the tempest are raging around me, Oh! where shall I flee to be safe from their shock? There are walls which no mortal hands built to surround me, A Refuge Eternal,--'Tis JESUS MY ROCK! When my heart is all sorrow, and trials aggrieve me, To whom can I safely my secrets unlock? No bosom (save one) has the power to relieve me, The bosom which bled for me, JESUS MY ROCK! When Life's gloomy curtain, at last, shall close o'er me, And the chill hand of death unexpectedly knock, I will
John Ross Macduff—The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus

The Communion of Saints.
"The Saints on earth, and those above, But one communion make; Joined to their Lord in bonds of love, All of His grace partake." The history of the extension of the Church of Christ from one land to another, and of the successive victories won by the Cross over heathen races from age to age, gives by itself a very imperfect idea of the meaning of the words "The Holy Catholic Church." Because, with the outward extension of the Church, its influence upon the inner man needs always to be considered.
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
1. A brief recapitulation of the leading points of the whole discussion. The scope of this chapter. The necessity of the doctrine of faith. This doctrine obscured by the Schoolmen, who make God the object of faith, without referring to Christ. The Schoolmen refuted by various passages. 2. The dogma of implicit faith refuted. It destroys faith, which consists in a knowledge of the divine will. What this will is, and how necessary the knowledge of it. 3. Many things are and will continue to be implicitly
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

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