Psalms 31:23 Meaning and Explanation
“O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist calls the faithful to love God, affirming that God preserves the faithful and repays the proud.
The Context of Psalms 31:23
An exhortation to all the faithful to love God, grounded in God's faithfulness and justice.
What Does Psalms 31:23 Mean?
The imperative 'O love the LORD' shifts the psalm from individual petition to communal exhortation. Having experienced God's faithfulness and deliverance, the psalmist invites all God's saints—all the faithful—to love Him. This is not sentimental emotion but a call to covenant commitment and wholehearted devotion. The psalmist's own experience becomes a model and invitation for others to trust in God's character.
The statement that God 'preserveth the faithful' assures the community that the experience of one faithful person points to a pattern in God's dealings with all His people. God does not abandon His own. The phrase 'plentifully rewardeth the proud doer' indicates divine justice; those who are proud and rebellious do not escape notice. God's care for the faithful and His judgment on the wicked are two aspects of His righteous character. This balance—reward for faithfulness, consequences for pride—is an encouragement to all to align themselves with God's will and character.
Psalms 31:23 in the Original Language
gamar (גָּמַר), 'rewardeth' — to complete, accomplish, or repay; often refers to God completing His just purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 31:23
What does Psalms 31:23 mean?
The psalmist calls the faithful to love God, affirming that God preserves the faithful and repays the proud.
What is the context of Psalms 31:23?
An exhortation to all the faithful to love God, grounded in God's faithfulness and justice.