Psalm 31:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

NIV: Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

NASB: Into Your hand I entrust my spirit; You have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth.

CSB: Into your hand I entrust my spirit; you have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth.

NLT: I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.

KJV: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

NKJV: Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

The word "commit" means to give something to another, with trust that they will care for it. When we do this with money, in the bank, we refer to it as a "deposit." The Hebrew word used here relates to counting; in this context it means entrusting or placing. David is placing all his trust and reliance on God, "committing" his spirit into the Lord's care. This statement comes as David praises God for keeping him safe from his enemies.

Jesus made a similar statement from the cross: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). It's possible Jesus was citing this psalm of David. At least one of Christ's other notable remarks from the cross appears to be a quotation from the book of Psalms (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1). When Stephen was martyred, he likewise said he was entrusting his living spirit to God (Acts 7:59). David is not merely expression confidence in God, he is putting his entire existence into the care of the Lord. The apostle Peter exhorts suffering Christians to commit their souls to God. He writes in 1 Peter 4:19: "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

This trust has been established because of the Lord's prior work in David's life. The God who delivered Israel from the hands of the Egyptians was able to deliver David from his foes. He is also able to deliver believers today (2 Peter 2:9).

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.