About the Story Behind Layer

The Story behind the Psalm shows how each part of the psalm fits together into a single coherent whole. Whereas most semantic analysis focuses on discrete parts of a text such as the meaning of a word or phrase, Story Behind the Psalm considers the meaning of larger units of discourse, including the entire psalm. (Click 'Expand' to the right for more information.)

The goal of this layer is to reconstruct and visualise a mental representation of the text as the earliest hearers/readers might have conceptualised it. We start by identifying the propositional content of each clause in the psalm, and then we identify relevant assumptions implied by each of the propositions. During this process, we also identify and analyse metaphorical language (“imagery”). Finally, we try to see how all of the propositions and assumptions fit together to form a coherent mental representation. The main tool we use for structuring the propositions and assumptions is a story triangle, which visualises the rise and fall of tension within a semantic unit. Although story triangles are traditionally used to analyse stories in the literary sense of the word, we use them at this layer to analyse “stories” in the cognitive sense of the word—i.e., a story as a sequence of propositions and assumptions that has tension.

Story Behind Visuals for Psalm 31

Summary Triangle

The story triangle below summarises the story of the whole psalm. We use the same colour scheme as in Participant Analysis. The star icon along the edge of the story-triangle indicates the point of the story in which the psalm itself (as a speech event) takes place. We also include a theme at the bottom of the story. The theme is the main message conveyed by the story-behind.

Background ideas

Following are the common-ground assumptionsCommon-ground assumptions include information shared by the speaker and hearers. In our analysis, we mainly use this category for Biblical/Ancient Near Eastern background. which are the most helpful for making sense of the psalm.

After Saul became angry with him (1 Sam 20:30-34), Saul decided to kill David. When David fled from Saul, he lied to Ahimelech to secure food and weapons (1 Sam 21:1-9). Next David was forced to act like a madman to prevent Achish of Gath from killing him. So, Achish ridiculed him (1 Sam 21:10-15). After David saved the city of Keilah, Saul tried to capture him there by putting the city under siege (1 Sam 23:7-8). David heard the rumor that Saul was trying to surround him (1 Sam 23:9). As a result, David asked God whether the people of Keilah would surrender him into Saul's hand (1 Sam 23:12). God tells David that the people will betray him (1 Sam 23:12). David and his men escape into the countryside and hide in the strongholds (1 Sam 23:14). Even though Saul continued to pursue him, YHWH did not allow him to capture David (1 Sam 23:14).
Putting trust in one deity instead of many is a risky proposition, because it will lead to shame if that deity does not protect you (TDOT 1977, 2:52-53). Ancient Israel was a monotheistic society. Other cultures appealed to numerous gods in the hope that one of them would respond positively. If YHWH did not respond positively to him, David would look foolish for ignoring other deities who may have been willing to help.
YHWH's ability to provide protection may be compared to rock-like features and human-made fortresses (cf. Deut 32:37; 2 Sam 22:3; Ps. 18:3; 144:2; cf. Zion Isa 14:32). A rock is a fixed structure that provides shade and, depending on the size can provide physical safety. A fortress is a man-made structure designed to protect someone from an enemy. YHWH, by his very nature, is able to provide protection from enemies.
A person that is physically deformed is a social outcast (1 Sam 11:2; cf., Jezebel's corpse 2 Kgs 9:37).

Background situation

The background situation is the series of events leading up to the time in which the psalm is spoken. These are taken from the story triangle – whatever lies to the left of the star icon.

Expanded paraphrase

The expanded paraphrase seeks to capture the implicit information within the text and make it explicit for readers today. It is based on the CBC translation and uses italic text to provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences.

v. 1

For the director. A psalm by David.

v. 2

Expanded Paraphrase At times such as when King Saul became angry with me and desired to kill me, and I lied to Ahimelech to acquire food and weapons. Now, Saul believed reports that I was trying to kill him, and I heard he was hoping to capture and kill me. That's why I have taken shelter in you. I may not have physical safety, but I know you can protect my life, YHWH. I am destitute and, so do not let my shame continue forever! I am afraid you may not deliver me. Rescue me in your righteousness!

v. 3

You listen to those who pray to you, so listen to me! Rescue me quickly! Just like people hide in rocks and fortresses for safety, I take shelter in you, so be a rock of refuge for me because large rocks can provide an object to hide behind so my enemies cannot attack me, and a fortress, which is a structure designed to withstand attacks, to deliver me from King Saul and his men who seek to kill me!

v. 4

Because you are my rock and my stronghold, and—I know you care about your reputation—so for the sake of your name you must carefully guide me out of this dangerous situation in Keilah and into safety.

v. 5

I am in danger because Doeg has lied about me to Saul, so you must save me from the net just like the ones hunters set out to catch unsuspecting wild animals, which they; i.e., Saul and his armies hid for me by trying to surround Keilah, because you are my refuge and you know all things including how they plan to trap me in Keilah.

v. 6

Unlike the Moabites and Philistines who worship multiple gods, I entrust my spirit into your hand. You have redeemed me, YHWH, God of faithfulness.

v. 7

You hate those who worship worthless idols which are false gods even though people still worship them, but I trust YHWH even though I have been forced to hide among the Moabites and Philistines while running from Saul.

v. 8

You watch over the righteous, so I will be glad and rejoice on account of your faithfulness, that is that you saw my affliction when my enemies tried to capture me. You saved my life from distress because my enemies threatened my well-being.

v. 9

And you did not let any enemy capture me. You set my feet in a broad place, which contrasts with being sieged in the walls Keilah.

v. 10

Since I have taken shelter in you, I ask for you to be gracious to me, YHWH, because I am in distress. Metaphorically speaking, my eye, my throat, and my belly are wasted away because of Saul's anger towards me, which is why I am on the run with limited supplies.

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. My desperate situation can be compared to someone who is physically deteriorating, and is effectively a social outcast.

v. 12

I acted like a madman to save my life from Achish of Gath, and so I have been understandably scorned by all of my adversaries which compares with all of the false accusations against me, and [I have] greatly [become] [an object of scorn] to my neighbors, and [I have become] an object of fear to my friends, that is my men, who are scared Saul will kill them because of their association with me. Whenever I walk outside those who see me in the street; i.e., the residents of Keilah have fled from me. Therefore, I am a social outcast.

v. 13

Since I am a social outcast I have been forgotten like a dead person [is forgotten] from memory. After all, dead people are not remembered by the living. I have become like a broken vessel. Just as a broken vessel is useless, I feel useless.

v. 14

Because I heard the slander of many people like Doeg and the Ziphites—terror is on every side because Saul and his army pursues me everywhere I run—when they conspired against me. They plotted to take my life and Saul has taken their word, even though their case against me is built upon lies.

v. 15

But I trust you, YHWH. I refuse to trust any other god. I say, "You are my God."

v. 16

I know you are in control, and so I know 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, which is a sign of your grace in my life! Save me by your faithfulness.

v. 18

YHWH, do not let me be ashamed as if I were like the idol worshippers because I have called you in my distress! May the evil ones who are lying about me to Saul be ashamed. Do not let my shame continue! May they e.g., Doeg and the Ziphites go silently to Sheol (לִשְׁאֹֽול), rather than speaking lies to Saul (לְשָׁא֔וּל)!

v. 19

May the lying lips of Doeg and the Ziphites be unable to speak—those that speak insolence against the righteous; i.e., me and those who follow me, with arrogance and contempt.

v. 20

You do good things when you provide security for your people. 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! They take refuge in you because they are in dangerous situations caused by the wicked.

v. 21

You shelter them from people's schemes in the cover of your presence; You hide them in a shelter from contentious people. Just like you preserved my life when Saul sought to kill me in Keilah.

v. 22

Blessed is YHWH, because he has wonderfully shown his faithfulness to me when I was in Keilah, a city under seige. You answered my prayer and let me know that the people of Keilah would hand me over to Saul. Also, you enabled my escape from Saul into the wilderness and sustained me even there.

v. 23

Even though I thought in my panic when Saul tried to surround me that I had been cut off from your sight. I was afraid you would not see my situation. However, you heard the sound of my pleading, which was directed towards your ears, when I cried out to you and you did not let Saul capture me.

v. 24

Some people are loyal to YHWH and others are not. Love YHWH, all his loyal ones! He watches the faithful to the thousandth generation. YHWH is watching over the faithful, and he abundantly repays those who act pridefully. That is why I would not attack Saul when I had the chance, and I trust YHWH will judge Doeg and the Ziphites.

v. 25

Remember the story of how God protected me when Saul tried to capture me in Keilah, and be strong so your hearts may take courage, all who wait for YHWH. YHWH is faithful to save you from your enemies.

Psalm 31 Story behind the Psalm