Hold Fast To the Rock!

“In You, O LORD, I put my trust;

Let me never be ashamed;

Deliver me in Your righteousness.

Bow down Your ear to me,

Deliver me speedily;

Be my rock of refuge,

A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;

Therefore, for Your name’s sake,

Lead me and guide me. . . .

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart,

All you who hope in the LORD.” (Psalms 31:1-3, 24 NKJV)

This psalm is designated by David as To the Chief Musician; at its heart it is a song. Including this psalm, the scriptural example flies in the face of any who would say our songs should only be about happy things or rejoicing. David cried out to God about his situation, many parts of which were dire, admitting his peril.

In verse 4, for instance, he asked to be pulled out of a net laid in secret, then he expressed his faith in God, declaring, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit . . ..” If that seems familiar, Jesus and Stephen each quote this phrase just before their martyrdom.

After several other expressions of the jeopardy he faced, David ended with a reaffirmation of his faith in God, which we can hold to, as well. Because we know He can and will deliver us at the right time, in the right way, we can say with David, “(T)he Lord preserves the faithful.” We can cry out to our own souls, “Be of good courage.” Hold fast to the Rock; He will preserve us!

Related Scriptures

“They cried to You, and were delivered;

They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.” (Psalms 22:5 NKJV)

“I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;

Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.” (Psalms 17:6 NKJV)

“Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape;

Incline Your ear to me, and save me.” (Psalms 71:2 NKJV)

“Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me;

For I am poor and needy.” (Psalms 86:1 NKJV)

“Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;

Incline Your ear to me;

In the day that I call, answer me speedily.” (Psalms 102:2 NKJV)

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalms 18:2 NKJV)

“He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.” (Psalms 23:3 NKJV)

“For Your name’s sake, O LORD,

Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” (Psalms 25:11 NKJV)

“Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalms 27:14 NKJV)