Psalm 31 5

Psalm 31:5 kjv

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

Psalm 31:5 nkjv

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

Psalm 31:5 niv

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

Psalm 31:5 esv

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

Psalm 31:5 nlt

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

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 5 Meaning

Psalm 31:5 expresses profound trust and surrender to God in the midst of extreme adversity. The psalmist commits their very essence—their life, their soul, their being—into God's protective and sustaining care, acknowledging God as their faithful Redeemer. It is a declaration of complete reliance on God's character, particularly His truthfulness and covenant faithfulness, anticipating deliverance and preservation.

Psalm 31 5 Context

Psalm 31 is a fervent prayer of an individual lamenting deep distress. David, the presumed author, cries out from a state of intense suffering, surrounded by enemies, mocked, ostracized, and afflicted with physical ailment (vv. 9-13). He feels abandoned and his life wasting away (v. 10). Within this dire situation, verse 5 marks a profound turning point, transitioning from deep anguish and plea to an explicit declaration of trust and hope. It encapsulates the core spiritual posture of the psalm, a profound entrustment of one's very being to God despite overwhelming circumstances. This context of dire external threat combined with profound internal faith underscores the strength and depth of the psalmist's commitment. It also implicitly stands in contrast to the reliance on false gods or human power prevalent in the ancient world, affirming the unique saving power and faithfulness of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.

Psalm 31 5 Word analysis

• Into your hand: The phrase "into your hand" signifies a complete relinquishment and transfer of control, trust, and care. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the "hand" (Hebrew: yad) of a deity often represented their power, authority, and protective custody. To commit something "into His hand" means to place it under His absolute sovereignty and benevolent protection, suggesting a safe, powerful, and effective keeping. This concept carries significant weight, as God's hand is depicted throughout scripture as creator, provider, warrior, and deliverer.
• I commit: The Hebrew verb is paqad (פָּקַד). While paqad has a broad range of meanings including to "visit," "inspect," "appoint," or "muster," in this context, combined with "into your hand," it signifies an active "entrusting," "committing," or "depositing." It implies a deliberate and volitional act of surrender. It's not a passive resignation but an active handing over to a trusted custodian. This is a decisive act of faith.
• my spirit: The Hebrew word is ruach (רוּחַ). Ruach encompasses breath, wind, and the vital animating principle or essence of a living being. In this verse, "my spirit" refers to the psalmist's very life-force, his consciousness, his inner being, his soul. It points to the core of existence, the most intimate part of one's being that ultimately returns to God (Ecc 12:7). This commitment includes his spiritual and psychological being, his life now, and his existence beyond physical death.
• you have redeemed me: The Hebrew verb is padah (פָּדָה), which means to "ransom," "deliver," or "set free," often implying a price paid or a strong intervention from peril. The use of the perfect tense ("you have redeemed") indicates a completed action, implying past experiences of God's deliverance that build the psalmist's present trust. It serves as a foundational reason for the commitment: God is not just powerful, but demonstrably active in deliverance. This is a personal affirmation of past salvations, fostering faith for future ones.
• O LORD: The divine name YHWH (יהוה), the covenant name of God, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful God who enters into relationship with His people and acts on their behalf. This name signifies His unwavering presence, promises, and power.
• faithful God: The Hebrew phrase is El Emet (אֵל אֱמֶת). El is a general term for God, emphasizing His power and might. Emet means "truth," "firmness," "steadfastness," "faithfulness," and "reliability." When combined, El Emet describes God as the one who is truly trustworthy, whose character is constant and unchanging, and whose promises are unfailing. This attribute is the ultimate guarantor of the psalmist's trust; his commitment is founded on God's unwavering character, not his own strength or shifting circumstances.

Psalm 31 5 Bonus section

The profound resonance of Psalm 31:5 with the last words of Jesus Christ on the cross (Lk 23:46) and Stephen's dying prayer (Acts 7:59) elevates its theological significance far beyond an individual's lament. This verse transforms from a personal plea to a pattern for ultimate surrender, revealing an intimate Father-Son relationship. Jesus, in His human agony, draws comfort and strength from this very expression of trust in the Father. This echoes the concept of imitation Christi – following Christ's example in perfect submission to divine will, even when it involves suffering and death.

Furthermore, the mention of "spirit" (ruach) connects to the life-giving presence of God, for God is the giver of life and breath (Gen 2:7, Job 33:4). The psalmist is essentially committing his entire dependent existence back to its divine source and sustainer. It's a statement about the preservation of one's personhood by a God who is both capable of deliverance and truthful in His character. This trust is not blind; it is predicated on a profound understanding of God's integrity and a personal history of His redeeming acts. The 'hand' of God here symbolizes ultimate protection, a shelter from enemies, disease, and death itself, affirming that even in physical demise, the soul's destination is secure with its Creator and Redeemer.

Psalm 31 5 Commentary

Psalm 31:5 stands as a powerful testament to radical trust in God. It is a declaration of complete reliance on God's sovereignty and benevolent character, especially in moments of extreme vulnerability, even unto death. The psalmist consciously and deliberately places his most valuable possession, his very essence or life (his "spirit"), into God's safe "hand." This act of surrender is not born out of despair but from an experiential knowledge of God as a "Redeemer." The perfect tense, "you have redeemed me," roots this present act of faith in God's demonstrated faithfulness throughout the psalmist's life, implying past deliverances are a firm basis for trusting Him in the ultimate test.

The description of God as the "LORD, faithful God," El Emet, anchors the entire statement in divine reliability. It emphasizes that the psalmist's confidence is in God's intrinsic nature—He is trustworthy, true to His word, and unfailingly faithful to His covenant. This verse prophetically echoed in Jesus' last words on the cross and Stephen's martyrdom, illustrating its enduring power for believers facing the ultimate commitment of their lives. It assures us that in life's most challenging transitions, especially the ultimate transition of death, our true security lies in committing ourselves wholly to our faithful God who delivers and preserves. This verse offers immense comfort and strength, teaching believers to respond to overwhelming adversity not with fear, but with an active entrustment to the God who never abandons His own.

Practical examples:

• When facing a terminal illness, committing one's life into God's hands.
• Entrusting one's career or future to God's plan amidst uncertainty.
• Surrendering anxieties and fears about family or children to God's care.