Psalms 31

My strong Rock

Rock — the sure foundation

Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. Psalms 31:2–3

David asks the LORD to be his strong rock and fortress. Christ is that Rock.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:4 — That Rock was Christ.

Into thine hand I commit my spirit

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psalms 31:5

Jesus prayed these words on the cross as He gave up His life to the Father. His death was a willing act of trust, and by it He became our Redeemer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by Luke 23:46 — Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Forsaken and plotted against

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. Psalms 31:11–13

The sufferer's friends flee, he is slandered, and enemies plot to take his life. It echoes Jesus's last days, when leaders plotted to kill Him and His disciples fled.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mark 14:50 — They all forsook him, and fled.
• alludes to Matthew 26:3-4 — Consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.