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Psalm 31:21

Praise be to the LORD, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.

19Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!
20In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.
21Praise be to the LORD, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.
22As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.
23Oh love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.
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← Psalm 31:20Psalm 31:22 →
Notice

The words “he has shown me” give David’s praise the warmth of remembered kindness, with a strong city named as its setting.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What kindness from God could you name after the words “he has shown me”?

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How does David’s praise sound to you alongside his fear of being cut off in verse 22?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

7 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 17:7Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.Psalm 17 asks God to show his marvelous loving kindness; Psalm 31 praises him for having shown it.
1 Samuel 23:7–13Saul was told that David had come to Keilah. Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that has gates and bars.”Both passages mention a city, though Saul sees a chance to trap David, while the psalm records kindness received within one.
1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out …Both passages connect praise with God’s acts: the psalm names loving kindness, and Peter names God’s call out of darkness.
Jeremiah 1:18For behold, I have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, against its princes, …Both use the language of a strong city, though Jeremiah becomes a fortified city and David speaks of kindness shown within one.
Psalm 118:23This is the LORD’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.Both passages express wonder at the LORD’s work, describing what he has done as marvelous.
Psalm 98:1A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.Both passages praise the LORD because of his marvelous deeds, with one naming loving kindness and the other salvation.
Isaiah 26:1In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city. God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.Both passages name a strong city while praising God’s care; Isaiah describes salvation as its walls and bulwarks.
Where this verse fits

Gratitude. answered prayer. praise and worship.

What the Bible says about gratitude →What the Bible says about worship →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Thank God for one kindness you can name

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Encouragement

David praises YHWH here, then recalls fearing he was cut off from God. His praise has room for that memory: God heard him when he cried.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 31:21. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 31 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).