Psalm 31:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.

NIV: You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

NASB: And You have not handed me over to the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place.

CSB: and have not handed me over to the enemy. You have set my feet in a spacious place.

NLT: You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place.

KJV: And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

NKJV: And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.

David's willingness to trust God in challenging times (Psalm 31:7) was rooted in prior experience. Despite repeated danger, the Lord had delivered David from his enemies. Foes had backed him into a tight place many times, but the Lord had delivered him and enabled him to experience security. The imagery of standing in a "broad place" contrasts with something like a narrow beam or a tightrope. Balancing on a thin edge is difficult; it's easy to feel stable when there's plenty of room to take a wide stance.

As much as he trusted God's love (Psalm 31:5, 7), David bowed to God's sovereignty. He knew God could have allowed him to fall to his opponents. David doesn't claim that God had to provide rescue, he simply acknowledges that it was God who secured his rescue. This understanding is key for the believer; peace of mind can be enjoyed if one understands their life is in God's hands whether circumstances are rough or calm (Psalm 31:7). Paul assured his readers at Rome that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Psalm 31:1–8 reveals David's trust in God to rescue him from his enemies. He detests idolaters but rejoices in the Lord's unfailing love. He praises the Lord for protecting him and allowing him to stand in a spacious place. These verses parallel similar psalms, in which David looks back on God's prior rescues in answer to prayer.

Because God has rescued him in the past, David chooses to trust the Lord even when he is in danger. Neighbors and friends may abandon him, and enemies may plot, but David is confident he will be vindicated. He also calls on others to be firm and brave as they choose to trust in God.

David mentions dangers and enemies in this psalm. He may have been referring to besieged cities such as Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1–15) or Ziklag (1 Samuel 30). Despite the plots of his enemies and abandonment by friends, David trusts in the Lord, receives an answer to his prayer, and encourages his fellow believers to love the Lord and be strong. This echoes themes also seen in Psalms 4, 25, and 71.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.