Psalm 25 17

Psalm 25:17 kjv

The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

Psalm 25:17 nkjv

The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses!

Psalm 25:17 niv

Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.

Psalm 25:17 esv

The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.

Psalm 25:17 nlt

My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!

Psalm 25 verses

Psalm 25 17 Meaning

Psalm 25:17 is a fervent and urgent cry from a heart overwhelmed by mounting internal and external pressures. The psalmist expresses that his "troubles" (afflictions, distresses) have multiplied and expanded significantly, creating a profound sense of inner anguish. Faced with this escalating burden, he desperately pleads for God to "bring him out" or deliver him from these "distresses," acknowledging his complete reliance on divine intervention for rescue from this constricted and painful state. It's a prayer born of profound personal suffering and absolute dependence on God's liberating power.

Psalm 25 17 Context

Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm, a form of prayer woven with an alphabetical structure, signifying thoroughness and completion in the expression of its themes. It is widely attributed to David, a king familiar with periods of profound personal trial, enemies, and a deep consciousness of his own sin. The psalm functions as both a lament and a petition, marked by humble confession, earnest cries for divine guidance, forgiveness, and deliverance from adversaries.

Verse 17 flows within this complex tapestry of emotional outpouring and theological conviction. Preceding it, David has already expressed a profound trust in God (vv. 1-3), requested guidance and truth (vv. 4-5), pleaded for remembrance of God's steadfast love and mercy, while confessing the sins of his youth (vv. 6-7). He then emphasizes God's goodness in guiding sinners (vv. 8-11) and acknowledges the pathway of fearing the Lord (vv. 12-15). Verse 16 begins a fresh plea, "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted." Verse 17 directly intensifies this lament, presenting the escalating nature of his internal suffering before he continues to plead for God to "consider" his affliction and forgive his sins (v. 18) and deliver him from enemies (vv. 19-20). The psalmist's troubles are deeply personal and internal ("of my heart") yet are often interconnected with external pressures, sins, and the hostility of enemies, common themes in Davidic psalms reflecting his experiences as king and fugitive.

Psalm 25 17 Word analysis

• צרות (Tsarot): "troubles," "afflictions," "distresses." This is the plural form of צָרָה (tsarah), stemming from the root צָרַר (tsarar), which means "to bind," "to tie up," "to confine," or "to be narrow." It implies a condition of being hemmed in, pressed upon, or in a state of constriction and distress. The plural emphasizes the multiplicity and diverse nature of the afflictions.
• לְבָבִי (Levavi): "my heart." In Hebrew thought, "heart" (לֵב / lev) refers to the entire inner person, including intellect, will, emotions, and moral consciousness. It is the seat of decision-making and the core of one's being, not just emotions. Thus, "troubles of my heart" signify deep, internal, pervasive suffering that impacts one's entire self.
• הִרְחִ֫יבוּ (Hirhivu): "have enlarged," "are broadened," "have multiplied," "have become great." This is the Hiphil perfect third person plural of רָחַב (rachav), meaning "to be broad," "to be roomy," or "to enlarge." In the Hiphil stem, it suggests causation ("have caused to become wide") or a declarative/stative sense indicating that they have become wide. Here, it conveys that the troubles have become numerous, significant, and vast in scope, overwhelming the psalmist.
• מְצֻקוֹתַי (Metzûqôtay): "my distresses," "my anguishes," "straits," "pressures." This plural noun comes from the root צוק (tsûq), which also relates to being "pressed," "constrained," or "hemmed in." It closely parallels "tsarot" in meaning, often intensifying the sense of being trapped or in a dire situation. The repetition (or near repetition of concept) underlines the severity and encompassing nature of the difficulties.
• הוֹצִיאֵ֫נִי (Hôtzianí): "Bring me out," "deliver me," "rescue me." This is the Hiphil imperative, second person masculine singular, with a first person singular suffix ("me"), from the verb יָצָא (yatza), meaning "to go out" or "to come forth." In the Hiphil, it means "to bring out," "to lead out," "to cause to go forth." This is an urgent, direct command to God, pleading for active and decisive divine intervention to remove the psalmist from his state of confinement and distress.

• "Troubles of my heart have enlarged": This phrase paints a picture of growing, escalating internal affliction. It's not just external circumstances but the deep, personal impact they have on one's entire inner being. The image suggests a tightening knot or a suffocating pressure that continues to expand, making the situation increasingly unbearable. This growth implies a sustained period of struggle or an intensification of difficulties.
• "Bring me out of my distresses": This is the passionate plea. The psalmist understands that human strength is insufficient for such an overwhelming burden. The petition for God to "bring out" implies a rescue from a trapped or enclosed space, moving from confinement to freedom, from anguish to relief. The plural "distresses" reiterates the manifold nature of the pain and underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive divine liberation.

Psalm 25 17 Bonus section

• The Prayer of Raw Honesty: This verse exemplifies a key aspect of biblical prayer: complete honesty before God. The psalmist does not attempt to diminish his pain or maintain a facade of strength. Instead, he openly admits that his internal burdens have become overwhelming, setting a pattern for transparent and vulnerable communication with God.
• A Precursor to God's Enlargement: While the troubles have "enlarged," the hope implicitly held in the prayer for "bringing out" anticipates God's nature to bring people into "a large place" or "broad room" (e.g., Ps 4:1; 18:19). God's deliverance often involves moving His people from constraint and narrowness into expansive freedom.
• Messianic Implication: While not a direct prophecy, the depth of spiritual and emotional distress expressed here, and the call for divine rescue from all enveloping trouble, finds its ultimate and deepest fulfillment in the suffering and cry of Christ on the cross, who bore the ultimate burden of sin and distress for humanity (cf. Ps 22).
• The Call to Perseverance: Despite the crushing weight of the troubles, the psalmist still calls upon God, indicating an enduring faith. His plea is not one of despairing resignation but active, expectant hope in God's power to intervene.

Psalm 25 17 Commentary

Psalm 25:17 is a profound testament to the human experience of escalating inner turmoil and the cry for divine rescue. The psalmist's articulation of "troubles of my heart" speaks to a suffering that is not superficial but penetrates to the very core of his being, affecting his intellect, will, and emotions. The word "enlarged" (hirhivu) vividly conveys an image of problems not merely existing but multiplying and intensifying, perhaps due to the passage of time or compounding crises. This escalating nature creates an immense spiritual and emotional burden, leading to a suffocating sense of being "hemmed in" by his "distresses." This intense feeling of constriction is highlighted by the linguistic roots of both "troubles" (tsarot) and "distresses" (metzuqotay), both implying narrowness or being pressed.

In response to this overwhelming state, the psalmist's plea, "Bring me out" (hotzianí), is a raw and direct appeal for God's powerful intervention. It reflects a complete dependence on a power greater than himself to liberate him from a predicament that human effort cannot overcome. This verse resonates with the biblical truth that God is the ultimate Deliverer, particularly when His people find themselves at their limits. It also provides a model for believers in prayer: to be honest and vulnerable about the depth of their struggles, and to lay their comprehensive burdens before the Lord, trusting in His capacity to provide comprehensive relief. This honest lament is a precursor to receiving God's comfort and deliverance, echoing the pattern throughout Scripture where genuine supplication is met with divine solace and rescue.