Psalm 31/Speech Act/Summary

SPEAKER		VERSES		SPEECH ACT SECTIONS		ADDRESSEE
David		v. 1 For the director. A psalm by David.
		v. 2 I have taken shelter in you, YHWH. Do not let my shame continue forever! Rescue me in your righteousness!		PLEA FOR HELP (vv. 2–9) Rescue me (vv. 2–5)! PROFESSION OF TRUST I trust YHWH, unlike the idol worshipers you hate (vv. 6–9).		YHWH
		v. 3 Listen to me! Rescue me quickly! Be a rock of refuge for me, and a fortress to deliver me!
		v. 4 Because you are my rock and my stronghold. And for the sake of your name, you must carefully guide me.
		v. 5 You must save me from the net which they hid for me, because you are my refuge.
		v. 6 I entrust my spirit into your hand. You have redeemed me, YHWH, God of faithfulness.
		v. 7 You hate those who worship worthless idols, but I trust YHWH.
		v. 8 I will be glad and rejoice on account of your faithfulness, that you saw my affliction. You saved my life from distress.
		v. 9 And you did not let any enemy capture me. You set my feet in a broad place.
		v. 10 Be gracious to me, YHWH, because I am in distress. My eye, my throat, and my belly waste away because of anger.		PLEA FOR MERCY & FAVOR (vv. 10–19) Have mercy on me because I am wasting away (vv. 10–14)! Save me and punish my enemies (vv. 16b–19)! PROFESSION OF TRUST I still trust in you (vv. 15–16a).
		v. 11 Because my life fades away with grief, and my years [fade away] with groaning. My strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.
		v. 12 I have been scorned by all of my adversaries and [I have] greatly [become an object of scorn] to my neighbors, and [I have become] an object of fear to my friends. Those who see me in the street have fled from me.
		v. 13 I have been forgotten like a dead person [is forgotten] from memory. I have become like a broken vessel.
		v. 14 because I heard the slander of many people –terror is on every side– when they conspired together against me. They plotted to take my life.
		v. 15 But I trust you, YHWH. I say, “You are my God.”
		v. 16 My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from my pursuers!
		v. 17 Shine your face upon your servant! Save me by your faithfulness.
		v. 18 YHWH, do not let me be ashamed because I have called you! May the evil ones be ashamed! May they go silently to Sheol!
		v. 19 May lying lips be unable to speak –those that speak insolence against the righteous, with arrogance and contempt.
		v. 20 How many are your good things which you have stored up for those who fear you, [and which] you have performed for those who take refuge in you for all people to see!		PROFESSION OF GOD'S GOODNESS (vv. 20–23) You are good to all who take shelter in you!
		v. 21 You shelter them from people's schemes in the cover of your presence; You hide them in a shelter from contentious people.
		v. 22 Blessed is YHWH, because he has wonderfully shown his faithfulness to me in a city under siege.
		v. 23 Even though I thought in my panic I had been cut off from your sight. However, you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried out to you.
		v. 24 Love YHWH, all his loyal ones! YHWH is watching over the faithful, and he abundantly repays those who act pridefully.		EXHORTATION TO TRUST (vv. 24–25) Love YHWH and wait for his rescue with courage.		Israel
		v. 25 Be strong so your hearts may take courage, all who wait for YHWH.