The Meaning of Psalms 31:7 Explained

Psalms 31:7

KJV: I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

YLT: I rejoice, and am glad in Thy kindness, In that Thou hast seen mine affliction, Thou hast known in adversities my soul.

Darby: I will be glad and rejoice in thy loving-kindness, for thou hast seen mine affliction; thou hast known the troubles of my soul,

ASV: I will be glad and rejoice in thy lovingkindness; For thou hast seen my affliction: Thou hast known my soul in adversities;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I will be glad  and rejoice  in thy mercy:  for thou hast considered  my trouble;  thou hast known  my soul  in adversities; 

What does Psalms 31:7 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 31:1-13 - A Cry Out Of Deep Trouble
Some have supposed that this psalm was written during the Sauline persecutions; but it is more likely that it dates from Absalom's rebellion. It alternates between the depths of despondency and the heights of sublime faith, and well befits those who walk in darkness and have no light, Isaiah 50:10.
It sounds as if the soul were on a wind-swept moor, with no shelter from the storm. All is dark and wild; and it dreads to be caught in the entangling net, Psalms 31:4. What a magnificent prayer is that of Psalms 31:5! It supplied their last words to Stephen, Polycarp, Bernard, Hus, Luther, Melanchthon-above all, to our Lord, Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59. The Psalter was our Lord's prayer book. This verse is a suitable petition also, as we go forth into the unknown day, 2 Timothy 1:12.
Sin, slander, neglect make the heart break; but God is all-sufficient. Hide in Him; that life is safe which is God-encompassed. "Hid with Christ in God!" Colossians 3:1-4. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 31

1  David, showing his confidence in God, craves his help
7  He rejoices in his mercy
9  He prays in his calamity
19  He praises God for his goodness

What do the individual words in Psalms 31:7 mean?

I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy for You have considered - my trouble You have known in adversities my soul
אָגִ֥ילָה וְאֶשְׂמְחָ֗ה בְּחַ֫סְדֶּ֥ךָ אֲשֶׁ֣ר רָ֭אִיתָ אֶת־ עָנְיִ֑י יָ֝דַ֗עְתָּ בְּצָר֥וֹת נַפְשִֽׁי

אָגִ֥ילָה  I  will  be  glad 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: גִּיל  
Sense: to rejoice, exult, be glad.
וְאֶשְׂמְחָ֗ה  and  rejoice 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: שָׂמַח  
Sense: to rejoice, be glad.
בְּחַ֫סְדֶּ֥ךָ  in  Your  mercy 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
רָ֭אִיתָ  You  have  considered 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
עָנְיִ֑י  my  trouble 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: עֳנִי  
Sense: affliction, poverty, misery.
יָ֝דַ֗עְתָּ  You  have  known 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
בְּצָר֥וֹת  in  adversities 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: צָרָה 
Sense: straits, distress, trouble.
נַפְשִֽׁי  my  soul 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: נֶפֶשׁ  
Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.