Psalm 31:19

"O how abundant is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for those who fear thee, and wrought for those who take refuge in thee, in the sight of the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19 RSV)

Comment:

Psalm 31 is a prayer for deliverance from personal enemies. The early verses are a cry for help and an itemization of problems. The final verses (21-24) are an expression of gratitude for God's assistance. This verse (19) is sort of a bridge between the complaints and the gratitude. It's an affirmation—a reminder that spiritual Good is never absent from even the most challenging of human experiences. The psalmist affirms that Good is abundantly available for those who recognize its Presence and claim it, even in the face of negative appearances caused by the "sons of men" who believe in the illusions of duality. The phrase translated—here and elsewhere in scripture—as "fear" really is meant to suggest "awe." Being in awe of the Power of the Divine, and claiming that Power in our own lives, is the process of healing and transformation.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed