How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you
Psalms 31:19 - David’s words of thanks in this psalm should remind all believers to continually praise and thank God for the abundant blessings He has stored up for them.
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“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”
Psalms 31:19 NIV
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What a joy to be back in the treasury of praise and wisdom that is the Book of Psalms!
Psalm 31 is a Psalm written by King David divided into four parts. Two of the parts (1 and 3) are songs of praise to God, while the other two parts are complaints. David, who has had blessings heaped upon him by God, is complaining?
Well, at least he is complaining to God with humiity! His first complaint (Psalms 31:9-13) begins with a plea for God to be gracious to him, after which he explains to the Lord that he is in distress (great anxiety). I’m sure that all of us have asked of God in prayer, “Are you kidding me? You’re really going to make me suffer through this???” — I know I have!
There’s nothing wrong with complaining to God, but it needs to be constructive complaining. Years ago when I was managing an engineering unit for a pipeline company, I had an employee who excelled in complaining. I finally taught him a valuable lesson that I understood even then — don’t just complain because you want to whine, but explain the problem, then offer possible solutions that you need help sorting out.
That’s what David does in his first complaint and first praise in Psalm 31; he humbly lays out the reasons that he is in distress, and then (in Psalm 31:14-18) offers his solution. David proclaims his trust in God, asks for deliverance from his enemies and those who persecute him, asks for his enemies to be put to shame (rather than himself), and for their “lying lips to be mute.” His solution is to put his trust in God alone — a pretty good solution, if you ask me.
What does David have to offer God in return? His unending praise, and that’s where today’s verse comes into play. He begins by reflecting upon the abundance of God’s goodness, His benevolence towards those who love Him. David is often filled with wonder at God’s kindness in his many psalms, realizing that God actively blesses the lives of believers.
David knows that God has an incomparably infinite storehouse of “good things” for those who fear Him, a veritable Amazon.com of blessings to use a modern-day metaphor. If you’re new to Bible study, it’s reassuring to know that you don’t need to be scared of God — biblically, the word “fear” describes reverence and awe toward God, not terror.
The psalmist goes on to state that those blessings are bestowed on believers “in the sight of all.” God doesn’t hide His goodness; rather He displays His blessings openly so they can serve as a testimony to all people. Think of the very visible blessings God gave to great figures of the Bible like Daniel and Joseph — their unshakable faith was rewarded with salvation from certain death. The ministry of Jesus was perhaps the perfect example of God’s publicly visible goodness, as multitudes of people witnessed His life and works.
David’s praise in this verse concludes by pointing out that belief in God also implies “taking refuge” in Him; that is, trusting and relying on His protection and provision. An image of God as a fortress or shield comes from the history of ancient Israel, where those physical barriers provided safety and refuge to those in danger. Those of us who have been blessed to live in New Testament times have our refuge in Christ, the ultimate fortress providing refuge from sin and death.
The Bible Says has several enlightening paragraphs in its commentary on this psalm:
This is a comparative exclamation. The psalmist marvels at how great God’s goodness is toward those who fear and take refuge in Him. The psalmist provides nothing with which to compare the LORD‘s goodness, likely because it is so greatthat it is beyond comparison.
Notice how in this context the LORD’s goodness is reserved for those who fear Him and/or for those who take refuge in Him. While God is merciful to all and wishes that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9), the goodness the psalmist is describing is not accessible for those who do not fear Him or who do not take refuge in Him.
and, in describing “fear of the Lord”:
To fear someone is to care what they think of us, and what they will do based on what they think. An example is a policeman—we will likely be more aware of our behavior (such as the speed we are driving) when a policeman is watching, because we fear them. In the same way, those who fear God are those who place a priority upon what God thinks, and what God will do, over what humans think and/or do. Those who love God focus upon doing what God commands, in order to please Him.
Wrapping it all up:
One final note about verse 19. The psalmist marvels how the incomparable greatness of the LORD's goodness toward the faithful will be seen before the sons of men. This will be the ultimate vindication of the righteous. The wicked and their schemes, however convincing or powerful they may seem to be now, in that moment will be revealed for what they are—shameful and foolish. This will be witnessed by the sons of men.
David’s words of thanks in this psalm should remind all believers to continually praise and thank God for the abundant blessings He has stored up for them.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank You for the abundant goodness You have stored up for those who trust in You. Help me to seek and to always find refuge in Your presence when I am troubled, and teach me to always reflect Your light and grace to those I meet. AMEN.