Psalm 31:19-20
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This verse reveals that God's goodness isn't just a passive trait, but an active, stored-up treasure that He has "wrought" or prepared for His faithful. It's a hidden reserve, meant to be revealed publicly, demonstrating to the world that those who trust Him are not serving Him in vain.
Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David is in the midst of deep distress and feels abandoned, pouring out his laments and fears to God. He's pleading for deliverance from his enemies and appealing to God's faithfulness, even as he acknowledges his own frailty. This verse bursts forth as a profound declaration of trust, shifting from his personal suffering to the overwhelming, hidden, and publicly evident goodness of God towards those who depend on Him.
Have you ever felt like God's blessings are just out of reach, especially during tough times? This verse offers a profound perspective on God's goodness.
The Psalmist exclaims about God's abundant goodness, describing it as something "stored up" or "hidden" for those who fear Him. This isn't to say God's goodness is absent in difficult moments. Instead, it points to a deep, secure, and reserved treasure of blessing and favor that belongs to believers. It's a goodness that is not always immediately visible to the world, or even fully grasped by us in our struggles, but it is infallibly set aside for those who are devoted to Him. This stored goodness is like a divine inheritance, secured by God's faithfulness and purposed for the salvation and well-being of His people.
While God's goodness might be hidden like a treasure, it's also actively worked out and displayed for all to see. How does that work?
The verse continues by stating that God's goodness is "worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind." This reveals a dual aspect: the intimate, reserved goodness for the faithful, and its public manifestation. God doesn't just hoard His goodness; He actively performs and displays it. This 'working' is for those who actively place their trust in Him. Crucially, this goodness is made evident "in the sight of the children of mankind." Even when the world doesn't understand or acknowledge it, God's actions on behalf of His trusting people are meant to be visible, serving as a testament to His power, faithfulness, and the reality of His care.
Understand the original words
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tuwb · Hebrew Noun
God’s inherent kindness, moral excellence, and generosity. It is the overflow of His character manifested in blessings toward His creatures.
yare' · Hebrew Verb
A reverential awe, holy fear, or deep respect for God. It involves acknowledging His sovereignty and living in obedience to Him.
chacah · Hebrew Verb
To find safety, protection, and security in God. It pictures God as a fortress or sanctuary against life's dangers and spiritual foes.
paniym · Hebrew Noun
The direct, personal experience of God's intimacy and guidance. To be in His presence is to be in the place of ultimate security, joy, and revelation.
cether · Hebrew Noun
A place of protection or a secret location where God keeps His own safe. It implies divine guardianship and confidentiality in times of trouble.
This passage echoes the idea of God's goodness being displayed to all, but Psalm 31:19 highlights that His goodness is 'stored up' and 'worked out' specifically for those who fear and trust Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9The verse speaks of God's goodness being 'stored up' or 'hidden' for those who fear Him, much like this passage in Corinthians, which states that God has prepared things that 'no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined.'
Romans 2:4This verse directly connects God's kindness and patience with the opportunity for repentance, underscoring that God's goodness is actively demonstrated, aligning with the 'worked for' aspect of Psalm 31:19.
Galatians 3:26Psalm 31:19 talks about those who 'fear' and 'take refuge' in God, and this passage explains that believers are children of God 'through faith in Christ Jesus,' highlighting the relationship that allows for God's stored-up goodness.
calvinPsalms 31:19-21: "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!"
- O how great is thy goodness which thou hast hidden [648] for them that fear thee! which thou hast performed for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20. Thou shalt hide them in the secret [or, in the hiding-place] of thy countenance from the pride of man; thou shalt hide them as in a tent from the strife of t…
jfbPsalms 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!"
19-21. God displays openly His purposed goodness to His people.
This verse reveals that God's goodness isn't just a passive trait, but an active, stored-up treasure that He has "wrought" or prepared for His faithful. It's a hidden reserve, meant to be revealed publicly, demonstrating to the world that those who trust Him are not serving Him in vain.
David is in the midst of deep distress and feels abandoned, pouring out his laments and fears to God. He's pleading for deliverance from his enemies and appealing to God's faithfulness, even as he acknowledges his own frailty. This verse bursts forth as a profound declaration of trust, shifting from his personal suffering to the overwhelming, hidden, and publicly evident goodness of God towards those who depend on Him.
David is in the midst of deep distress and feels abandoned, pouring out his laments and fears to God. He's pleading for deliverance from his enemies and appealing to God's faithfulness, even as he acknowledges his own frailty. This verse bursts forth as a profound declaration of trust, shifting from his personal suffering to the overwhelming, hidden, and publicly evident goodness of God towards those who depend on Him.
"Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them…" — This verse reveals that God's goodness isn't just a passive trait, but an active, stored-up treasure that He has "wrought" or prepared for His faithful. It's a hidden reserve, meant to be revealed pu…
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Last reviewed October 2026
