Psalms 31 in the early church

91 passages quote, allude to, or echo Psalms 31, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 15 · 16 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24

Psalms 31:1

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:1 (30:2 LXX)	PG 12:1297 (Ps 29–30 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:1 (30:2 LXX)	Acts of the Abitinian Martyrs 7 · Anonymous	echo, medium confidence	304 (12 February)
Ps 31:1 (30:2 LXX)	Acts of the Abitinian Martyrs 8 · Anonymous	echo, low confidence	304 (12 February)
Ps 31:1 (30:1 LXX)	Letter to Marcellinus 18 · Athanasius of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	uncertain, after 335
Ps 31:1 (30:2 LXX)	Letter 78.32 · Jerome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Ps 31:1–24 (30:1-Ps LXX)	Psalm 30 · Apollinaris of Laodicea	quotation, high confidence	uncertain (fourth to sixth century)

Psalms 31:2

Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:2 (30:3 LXX)	PG 12:1299 (Ps 30 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:2 (30:3 LXX)	Oration I Against the Arians 62 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	ca. 339–346
Ps 31:2 (30:3 LXX)	Oration I Against the Arians 63 · Athanasius of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 339–346
Ps 31:2 (30:3 LXX)	Oration I Against the Arians 64 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	ca. 339–346
Ps 31:2 (30:3 LXX)	Oration II Against the Arians 13 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	ca. 339–346
Ps 31:2 (30:3 LXX)	Oration II Against the Arians 14 · Athanasius of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 339–346
Ps 31:2 (30:3 LXX)	On the Holy Spirit 26.62 · Basil of Caesarea	quotation, high confidence	ca. 374–375
Ps 31:2 (30:3 Vulg.)	On the Christian Faith 3.5 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 378–380

Psalms 31:3

For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:3 (30:4 LXX)	PG 12:1299 (Ps 30 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254

Psalms 31:4

You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:4 (30:5 LXX)	Letter 106.18 · Jerome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 370–419

Psalms 31:5

Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:5 (30:6 LXX)	Dialogue with Trypho 105.5 · Justin Martyr	echo, high confidence	ca. 155–160
Ps 31:5 (30:6 Vulg.)	Against Marcion 4.42 · Tertullian	allusion, high confidence	207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Ps 31:5 (30:6 LXX)	PG 12:1299 (Ps 30 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:5 (30:6 LXX)	PG 12:1605 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:5 (30:6 LXX)	Fragment E III (on Ecclesiastes) · Dionysius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	ca. 248–265
Ps 31:5 (30:6 Vulg.)	On the Trinity 10.9 · Hilary of Poitiers	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 356–360
Ps 31:5 (30:6 Vulg.)	On the Trinity 10.34 · Hilary of Poitiers	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 356–360
Ps 31:5 (30:6 LXX)	Oration 43.59 · Gregory of Nazianzus	quotation, high confidence	ca. 362–383
Ps 31:5 (30:6 Vulg.)	Letters 29.4 · Paulinus of Nola	allusion, high confidence	ca. 394–413
Ps 31:5 (30:6 LXX)	The Harmony of the Gospels 3.55 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 399–400
Ps 31:5 (30:6 LXX)	Commentary on the Apostles' Creed 27 · Rufinus of Aquileia	quotation, high confidence	ca. 404
Ps 31:5 (30:6 Vulg.)	Sermon 37 · Peter Chrysologus	quotation, high confidence	ca. 425-450

Psalms 31:6

I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:6 (30:7 LXX)	PG 12:1299 (Ps 30 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254

Psalms 31:7

I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:7 (30:8 LXX)	Defence of His Flight 25 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	ca. 357
Ps 31:7 (30:8 LXX)	On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 9 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 415

Psalms 31:8

You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:8 (30:9 LXX)	PG 12:1299 (Ps 30 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:8 (30:9 Vulg.)	On the Christian Faith 5.8 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 378–380
Ps 31:8 (30:9 LXX)	Exposition of Psalm 118 5.7.1 · Ambrose	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 386-397

Psalms 31:9

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:9 (30:10 LXX)	PG 12:1301 (Ps 30–31 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254

Psalms 31:10

For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:10 (30:11 Vulg.)	Confessions 11.39 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 397–401

Psalms 31:11

Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends—they flee when they see me on the street.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:11 (30:12 Vulg.)	On the Christian Faith 5.8 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 378–380

Psalms 31:12

I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:12 (30:13 Vulg.)	Letters 23.7 · Paulinus of Nola	quotation, high confidence	ca. 394–413

Psalms 31:15

My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:15 (30:16 LXX)	PG 12:1301 (Ps 30–31 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:15 (30:16 LXX)	Defence of His Flight 16 · Athanasius of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 357
Ps 31:15 (30:16 LXX)	Oration 43.58 · Gregory of Nazianzus	quotation, high confidence	ca. 362–383

Psalms 31:16

Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:16 (30:17 LXX)	Apostolic Constitutions 8.18.2 · Anonymous	quotation, high confidence	ca. 380
Ps 31:16 (30:17 Vulg.)	On the Christian Faith 5.8 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 378–380
Ps 31:16 (30:17 Vulg.)	Apology of the Prophet David 68 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 384-390

Psalms 31:18

May lying lips be silenced—lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:18 (30:19 LXX)	1 Clement 15.5 · Clement of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Ps 31:18 (30:19 LXX)	Miscellanies 4.6.33 · Clement of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	ca. 198–203
Ps 31:18 (30:19 LXX)	PG 12:1301 (Ps 30–31 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:18 (30:19 LXX)	On Prayer 24.5 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 233–234
Ps 31:18 (30:19 LXX)	Commentary on Matthew 13.6 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 246–248
Ps 31:18 (30:19 LXX)	Commentary on Romans 8.8 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)

Psalms 31:19

How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You!
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Homilies on Ezekiel 1.3 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Homilies on Numbers 12.3 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Commentary on Matthew 15.11 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 246–248
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Commentary on Matthew 17.19 · Origen	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 246–248
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Commentary on Romans 2.8 · Origen	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Commentary on Romans 5.2 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Commentary on Romans 7.18 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Catechetical Lecture 2.4 · Cyril of Jerusalem	quotation, high confidence	ca. 350
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Letter 361 · Gregory of Nazianzus	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 360–390
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Catechetical Oration 17 · Gregory of Nyssa	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 385–390
Ps 31:19 (30:20 Vulg.)	Sermon 145.2 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Sermon 194.3 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 31:19 (30:20 Vulg.)	Sermon 284.4 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 31:19 (30:20 Vulg.)	Letters 23.1 · Paulinus of Nola	quotation, high confidence	ca. 394–413
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Against Faustus the Manichaean 15.3 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 398–400
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	On the Spirit and the Letter 51 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	412
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	City of God 21.18 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	413–426
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	City of God 21.24 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	413–426
Ps 31:19 (30:20 LXX)	Enchiridion (Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love) 112 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 421–423
Ps 31:19 (30:20 Vulg.)	In Praise of the Desert 8 · Eucherius of Lyon	quotation, high confidence	ca. 427-428

Psalms 31:20

You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:20 (30:21 LXX)	PG 12:1301 (Ps 30–31 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:20 (30:21 LXX)	Sermon 337.3 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 31:20 (30:21 Vulg.)	Sermon 362.3 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 31:20 (30:21 LXX)	The Lord's Sermon on the Mount 2.10 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 393–396
Ps 31:20 (30:21 Vulg.)	Confessions 13.9 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 397–401
Ps 31:20 (30:21 Vulg.)	On the Trinity 1.13 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	ca. 399–419
Ps 31:20 (30:21 LXX)	On the Trinity 14.14 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 399–419

Psalms 31:21

Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His loving devotion in a city under siege.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:21 (30:22 LXX)	PG 12:1301 (Ps 30–31 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254

Psalms 31:22

In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:22 (30:23 LXX)	Letter 106.18 · Jerome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Ps 31:22 (30:23 Vulg.)	Sermon 7.7 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 31:22 (30:23 Vulg.)	Sermon 52.16 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Ps 31:22 (30:23 Vulg.)	Confessions 1.30 · Augustine of Hippo	echo, low confidence	ca. 397–401
Ps 31:22 (30:23 Vulg.)	Confessions 10.66 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 397–401
Ps 31:22 (30:23 Vulg.)	On the Trinity 4.0 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	ca. 399–419
Ps 31:22 (30:23 LXX)	Against Lying 27 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 420

Psalms 31:23

Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:23 (30:24 LXX)	PG 12:1301 (Ps 30–31 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Ps 31:23 (30:24 LXX)	Commentary on John 6.39 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Ps 31:23 (30:24 LXX)	Preparation for the Gospel 11.13.7 · Eusebius of Caesarea	quotation, medium confidence	ca. 313–324
Ps 31:23 (30:24 LXX)	On Saint Athanasius 1.23 · Lucifer of Cagliari	quotation, high confidence	ca. 356–361

Psalms 31:24

Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 31:24 (30:25 LXX)	Defence of His Flight 21 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	ca. 357
Ps 31:24 (30:25 Vulg.)	Letter 153.7 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430