O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

PSALMS 31:23KJV
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Psalms 31:23 (KJV)

What does Psalms 31:23 mean?

Psalms 31:23 calls on all of God’s faithful people to love the LORD, because the LORD protects those who are loyal to Him and gives a strong response to those who act with pride. The verse encourages devotion to God and highlights the difference between how God treats the faithful and the proud.

In this psalm, David is speaking to the community of believers, urging them to remain devoted to the LORD (the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible). The situation is one of trust in God’s care during trouble; David has experienced God’s protection and wants others to know that God preserves those who are trustworthy and loyal, while those who act arrogantly receive a fitting reward for their actions.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 31:23

  • "love" (אָהַב, ’ahav): This word means more than just affection; it often carries the sense of loyalty and commitment. David is urging a deep, committed relationship with the LORD.
  • "saints" (חָסִיד, chasid): This term refers to those who are faithful, loyal, and devoted to God, not just morally upright but those in a covenant relationship with Him.
  • "preserveth" (נָצַר, natsar): This verb means to guard, watch over, or protect. The idea is of active, ongoing protection for those who are faithful.
  • "faithful" (אֱמוּנָה, emunah): This word means trustworthy or reliable, describing people who are steady in their faith and actions toward God.
  • "plentifully" (יַתֵּר, yater): This word means in abundance or fully, emphasizing that God’s response to the proud is not half-hearted but complete.
  • "rewardeth" (שָׁלַם, shalam): This verb means to repay or give back what is due, whether good or bad. Here, it refers to God giving the proud exactly what they deserve.
  • "proud" (גֵּאֶה, ge’eh): This word describes those who are arrogant or self-important, standing in contrast to the humble faithful.
  • "doer" (עָשָׂה, asah): This simply means someone who acts or does, here referring to the person who acts with pride.

Why Psalms 31:23 matters

  • Psalms 31:23 clarifies that God’s protection is not random but directed toward those who are faithful and loyal to Him, encouraging trust in God’s character.
  • The verse draws a sharp line between the humble, faithful person and the proud, showing that God responds differently to each, which helps explain the moral order seen throughout the Psalms.
  • By addressing the “saints,” David connects individual experience to the wider community, making this a call for all believers to remain committed to God, especially in difficult times.

Where else these words appear

“proud” Hebrew H1346 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
  • Psalms 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
  • Isaiah 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

“saints” Hebrew H2623 · used in 32 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
  • Psalms 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
  • Psalms 132:9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

“preserveth” Hebrew H5341 · used in 62 verses

  • Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
  • Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
  • Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

“plentifully” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 27:7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.