Psalms 31:19
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
Original Language Analysis
מָ֤ה
H4100
מָ֤ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
רַֽב
Oh how great
H7227
רַֽב
Oh how great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
2 of 12
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
טוּבְךָ֮
is thy goodness
H2898
טוּבְךָ֮
is thy goodness
Strong's:
H2898
Word #:
3 of 12
good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צָפַ֪נְתָּ
which thou hast laid up
H6845
צָפַ֪נְתָּ
which thou hast laid up
Strong's:
H6845
Word #:
5 of 12
to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk
פָּ֭עַלְתָּ
thee which thou hast wrought
H6466
פָּ֭עַלְתָּ
thee which thou hast wrought
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
7 of 12
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
לַחֹסִ֣ים
for them that trust
H2620
לַחֹסִ֣ים
for them that trust
Strong's:
H2620
Word #:
8 of 12
to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in
נֶ֝֗גֶד
H5048
נֶ֝֗גֶד
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
10 of 12
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
Cross References
1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.Isaiah 64:4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.James 2:5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?Psalms 16:11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.Psalms 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.2 Corinthians 5:5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.Isaiah 35:10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.Psalms 73:1Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.John 3:21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.Isaiah 26:12LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
Historical Context
Concept of laid-up blessings resonates with Jewish eschatology. God was preparing future reward for faithful—world to come, resurrection, eternal life. David glimpses this hope: present suffering doesn't exhaust God's purposes; great goodness awaits those who persevere.
Phrase before the sons of men suggests public vindication. In shame-honor culture, God's people experienced dishonor and mockery. David rejoices that God's goodness will be manifest publicly. Jesus taught stored treasure principle: lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20). Christian hope includes both present grace and future glory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God has laid up great goodness for you affect response to present hardships?
- What is relationship between fearing God and receiving His goodness?
- In what ways does promise of future, stored blessings differ from prosperity gospel's immediate reward?
- How does God's public vindication serve apologetic purposes for His glory?
- What specific aspects of God's laid-up goodness most comfort you currently?
Analysis & Commentary
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! After extended lament, David breaks into praise, contemplating God's stored-up goodness for those who fear and trust Him. This provides both comfort in present suffering and hope for future reward.
Oh how great expresses overwhelming awe. Hebrew mah-rab combines interrogative with adjective to express magnitude beyond description. David isn't making calm observation but exclaiming in worship. God's goodness exceeds ability to quantify. This is appropriate response to divine grace—wonder and praise.
Thy goodness (tub) refers to God's benevolence, bounty, blessing. This isn't merely absence of harm but positive blessing, abundant provision, delightful gifts. Reformed theology emphasizes God is not merely non-evil but positively, supremely, infinitely good—source and standard of all goodness.
Which thou hast laid up (Hebrew tsaphan—hide, treasure up, store away) introduces stored blessings concept. God has reserved, accumulated, secured goodness for His people. Storage imagery suggests both protection (secured from theft) and abundance (more than immediately needed). There is inheritance awaiting believers beyond present experience—glory, joy, blessing stored in heaven (1 Peter 1:4).
For them that fear thee identifies beneficiaries. Fear (yare) means reverent awe, worshipful respect, covenant faithfulness. Before the sons of men adds that God's provision is public, visible, demonstrable—His faithfulness will be manifest to all, vindicating their faith and His character.