Psalm 31: Don’t Listen to the Polls

Here’s a clearer and more concise version of your meditation on Psalm 31, with the main point strengthened and Scripture effectively tied in:

David opens this psalm by crying out for deliverance. But what is he asking to be delivered from? As we read on, it becomes clear: it’s not just enemies—it’s the crushing weight of public opinion.

He writes:

“Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends... I am forgotten as though I were dead... I hear many whispering, ‘Terror on every side!’” (Psalm 31:11–13)

David’s pain isn’t only external—it’s emotional, social, and deeply personal. He feels rejected, misjudged, and abandoned. If he were a modern leader, he might say, “The polls are destroying me.”

Why does this matter? Because we all long for approval. We’re wired for community, and rejection can shake us deeply. But the danger comes when we seek glory from people rather than from God.

Jesus asks:

“How can you believe if you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)

Takeaway:

• Don’t measure your worth by others’ opinions.

• Accept feedback, but don’t build your identity on public approval.

• Seek the affirmation that comes from God—it’s the only voice that truly matters.

Let God’s view of you define your peace—not the whispers of the crowd.