Psalm 31 6

Psalm 31:6 kjv

I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

Psalm 31:6 nkjv

I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the LORD.

Psalm 31:6 niv

I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the LORD.

Psalm 31:6 esv

I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.

Psalm 31:6 nlt

I hate those who worship worthless idols.
I trust in the LORD.

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 6 Meaning

Psalm 31:6 is a profound declaration of unwavering trust and surrender in the face of immense adversity. The psalmist commits his very essence, his "spirit" or life-breath, into God's sovereign and protective care. This act of entrustment is founded not on present circumstances, but on God's character as the Redeemer and the "faithful God," highlighting His proven deliverance in the past and His reliable nature for the future. It is a surrender of complete dependence, knowing that one's deepest being is safe with the One who always keeps His word.

Psalm 31 6 Context

Psalm 31 is a poignant psalm of lament, marked by a deep sense of distress and a desperate cry for God's intervention. David, the presumed author, is in profound personal agony, surrounded by enemies and experiencing social alienation (Psa 31:9-13). He speaks of his "life spent with sorrow and years with sighing" (v. 10), and being "shattered like a broken pot" (v. 12). Within this narrative of suffering, verse 6 stands as a powerful pivot. It's a foundational declaration of faith amidst chaos, affirming an absolute trust in God's care despite overwhelming present circumstances. This historical context of David, a king or leader facing dire threats, underlines that this commitment is not an act of naive optimism, but a courageous surrender born from an intimate knowledge of God's character in times of great pressure.

Psalm 31 6 Word analysis

• בְּיָדְךָ֬ (bə·yā·ḏə·ḵā) - "Into your hand":

  • bə·: Preposition 'in' or 'into'. Implies placement or entrance.
  • yā·ḏə·ḵā: 'Your hand'. The Hebrew word for hand (yad) frequently symbolizes power, authority, control, and protection. Entrusting something "into your hand" signifies a complete surrender to God's dominion and protection, seeking His custody and sovereign care. It highlights dependence and security under His powerful grip.

• אַפְקִ֣יד (ap̄·qîḏ) - "I commit / I entrust":

  • From the root פָּקַד (paqad). The Hiphil stem often implies 'to cause to do' or 'to appoint', 'to visit', or in this context, 'to deposit' or 'entrust for safekeeping'.
  • This is a strong term, akin to depositing something valuable like money or an important document with a trusted individual or institution for preservation. It implies an expectation of careful guarding and future restoration. It is an active decision of faith, not passive resignation.

• רוּחִ֑י (rū·ḥî) - "my spirit":

  • ruach: Can mean breath, wind, or spirit. In this context, with the possessive suffix 'my', it refers to the psalmist's very essence, his life force, his inner being, and perhaps even his destiny.
  • It signifies surrendering the most intimate and vital part of oneself, recognizing that one's true life and ultimate destiny reside outside of one's own control, wholly reliant on divine preservation. It is the core of his existence.

• Words-group: בְּיָדְךָ֬ אַפְקִ֣יד רוּחִ֑י - "Into your hand I commit my spirit":

  • This phrase encapsulates complete surrender and absolute trust. It contrasts human vulnerability (spirit) with divine power and trustworthiness (God's hand). It is an act of proactive faith, giving up personal control over the most precious possession—life itself—into God's keeping, not abandonment. This statement became profoundly significant through its echo in Christ's final words on the cross, connecting the ultimate human suffering with ultimate divine trust.

• פָּדִ֖יתָה (pā·ḏî·ṯāh) - "you have redeemed / you have ransomed":

  • From the root פָּדָה (padah), meaning to deliver, ransom, or redeem.
  • The Qal perfect tense ('you have redeemed') signifies a completed action in the past. This points to prior experiences of divine deliverance or salvation that serve as the firm foundation for present trust. It acknowledges God's track record of intervention, liberation from danger, or rescue from bondage or death.

• אוֹתִ֣י (’ō·w·ṯî) - "me":

  • A direct object pronoun. Emphasizes the personal nature of God's redemptive act. The psalmist experienced this redemption personally, not just generally.

• יְהוָ֥ה (YHWH/Adonai) - "O Lord":

  • The sacred, covenant name of God (Tetragrammaton). It emphasizes God's unique identity as the self-existent, faithful, covenant-keeping God. Calling upon this name signifies an appeal to His special relationship with His people and His unwavering promises.

• אֵֽל אֱמֶֽת׃ (’êl ’ĕ·meṯ) - "faithful God / God of truth":

  • ’Êl: 'God' or 'mighty one'. A common general term for God.
  • ’ĕ·meṯ: 'Truth', 'faithfulness', 'steadfastness', 'reliability'.
  • This epithet defines God's character as fundamentally reliable and trustworthy. It is because God is truth and faithfulness that the psalmist can confidently commit his spirit. This attribute is the ultimate guarantee that the deposited spirit will be preserved and the act of redemption will stand true.

• Words-group: פָּדִ֖יתָה אוֹתִ֣י יְהוָ֥ה אֵֽל אֱמֶֽת׃ - "you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God":

  • This phrase provides the theological grounding for the preceding declaration of trust. The psalmist's act of entrusting his spirit is not a blind leap but is rooted in God's proven actions ("you have redeemed me") and His immutable nature ("faithful God"). This highlights the interrelationship between God's redemptive work and His unwavering character, assuring the believer that past deliverance predicts future reliability.

Psalm 31 6 Bonus section

The significance of Psalm 31:6 in Christian theology is profoundly elevated by Jesus Christ's use of a derivative of this verse (specifically Psalm 31:5 in the Septuagint, "Into your hands I commit my spirit") as His final words on the cross (Luke 23:46). This demonstrates Christ's perfect faith and obedience, mirroring the psalmist's trust in a context of ultimate suffering and death. By quoting this verse, Jesus not only confirmed His perfect trust in the Father but also transformed this lament into a hopeful declaration of trust even in death, setting a precedent for all believers. It suggests that even death, the ultimate loss, can be an act of faithful surrender into God's care, with the promise of preservation and ultimate resurrection, thus bridging the Old Testament's trust with the New Testament's fulfillment.

Psalm 31 6 Commentary

Psalm 31:6 is a pivotal expression of deep faith and surrender. Amidst suffering and the threat of death, the psalmist's act of committing his spirit signifies more than mere acceptance; it's a proactive placement of his entire being into God's capable hands for safekeeping. This profound trust is not whimsical but is firmly grounded in two essential truths: God's past redemptive work and His unchanging nature as the "faithful God." The very essence of life, the spirit, is too precious for human control, thus requiring the perfect safekeeping of the Divine. The assurance "you have redeemed me" recalls a history of divine deliverance, demonstrating God's consistent ability to save from dire circumstances. This track record, combined with the immutable truth of God's character as utterly trustworthy and reliable, forms the bedrock of this courageous declaration. It is a timeless model for believers facing their own times of trouble, including the ultimate challenge of death, teaching that even the last breath can be a final act of trust in God's unfailing love.

• Practical Usage Example: When facing an overwhelming personal crisis or the inevitability of one's own physical death, one can echo this verse as an active declaration of yielding ultimate control to God, finding peace in His promise to sustain or restore. It guides one to trust in God's proven character rather than relying on shifting circumstances or limited human abilities.