Psalm 31 8

Psalm 31:8 kjv

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

Psalm 31:8 nkjv

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

Psalm 31:8 niv

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

Psalm 31:8 esv

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

Psalm 31:8 nlt

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

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 8 Meaning

Psalm 31:8 expresses David's deep gratitude and trust in God's protective and liberating power. It declares that God, in His faithfulness, did not abandon David to the power and control of his adversaries. Instead, God provided ample room and security, removing him from constrained and perilous circumstances, granting him freedom and stability. This verse celebrates divine deliverance from danger and the establishment of a secure, spacious existence under God's watchful care.

Psalm 31 8 Context

Psalm 31 is a psalm of both lament and profound trust, attributed to David. It opens with David pouring out his distress to the Lord, seeking refuge from numerous enemies and those who plot against his life (Ps 31:1-6). He speaks of his physical and emotional exhaustion, his life consumed by sorrow, his strength failing (Ps 31:9-10). He is reviled by his neighbors, feared by acquaintances, and forgotten like a dead man (Ps 31:11-12). Yet, amidst this profound despair, David repeatedly affirms his unwavering trust in God (Ps 31:14-15).

Verse 8 follows an initial statement of God's mercy and steadfast love (Ps 31:7), declaring that God has seen his affliction and known his distress. It contrasts David's experience of confinement and peril (implied in the lament) with God's intervention to create freedom and security. The "enemy" refers to those specific adversaries of David who sought his demise or imprisonment, likely during his time of flight from Saul or other political/personal struggles. The cultural context would have been one where military defeat or capture meant becoming property of the victor, living under harsh constraint. Therefore, deliverance meant not merely physical safety but preservation of one's freedom and status.

Psalm 31 8 Word analysis

• and have not delivered me: This phrase expresses a past act of divine faithfulness. The original Hebrew verb is נָגַר (nagar), implying a strong, definitive act of giving over or surrendering. The negative construction emphasizes God's active protection and refusal to allow David to fall prey to his foes.
• into the hand of the enemy: This is an idiomatic expression signifying falling under the power, control, or domination of an adversary. It implies total subjection and vulnerability. In a spiritual sense, it denotes succumbing to oppressive forces or spiritual adversaries.
• You have set: The verb "set" (הֶעֱמַדְתָּ – he'emadtā) signifies establishing, making to stand firm, giving a secure position. It speaks of God's intentional and powerful action to grant stability.
• my feet: A metonymy for one's course of life, stability, position, or destiny. To have one's feet set firmly suggests security and direction.
• in a wide place: The Hebrew word for "wide place" is רַחַב (rachav), which literally means broad, spacious, extensive. It stands in direct contrast to "distress" or "narrow straits" (צַר – tzar), which signifies confinement, pressure, trouble, or an impossible situation.
  • This term is rich with meaning, pointing to:
    • Physical security: Ample room, freedom of movement, not being trapped or hemmed in by enemies or circumstances.
    • Spiritual freedom: Freedom from the oppressive weight of fear, anxiety, or sin. Room to grow, to worship, to serve without constraint.
    • Abundance and blessing: Often associated with God's provision beyond bare necessity, allowing for flourishing.
    • Stability: A firm footing in life, not being on shaky ground.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy": This entire phrase highlights God's sovereignty over all forces of opposition. David's life was preserved not by his own might, but by divine intervention preventing his complete capture or demise. This also implicitly combats the notion that enemies succeed based purely on their own strength; rather, God ultimately controls the outcome.
  • "You have set my feet in a wide place": This distinct imagery moves from averting danger to actively establishing flourishing. It conveys a complete reversal of fortunes, from being constricted and endangered to being released into an environment of safety, freedom, and ample opportunity. It speaks of divine enablement and purposeful provision of security, illustrating God's desire not just to save, but to lead into a life of abundant grace.

Psalm 31 8 Bonus section

The contrast between the "narrow place" (צר – tzar) and the "wide place" (רחב – rachav) is a significant biblical motif found in many Psalms (e.g., Ps 4:1; 18:19; 118:5) and historical narratives. It describes the fundamental experience of humanity from constriction to liberation, from distress to relief. This metaphor extends beyond mere physical space to encapsulate spiritual and emotional well-being, demonstrating that God's deliverance encompasses all aspects of life. It also subtly reinforces the idea of God's absolute control and power over human adversaries; they may conspire, but God ultimately determines whether they succeed in gaining a "hand" or not.

Psalm 31 8 Commentary

Psalm 31:8 is a profound declaration of God's protective and liberating character, arising from the deep experience of a believer's trial. It pivots from lament to praise, acknowledging God's active involvement in averting catastrophe. The Lord is not merely a distant observer but one who decisively prevents the enemy from gaining dominion. The deliverance is not simply from a dire situation but into a state of well-being—a "wide place." This imagery resonates deeply with the human experience of feeling constrained by hardship, worry, or persecution. The "wide place" signifies divine expansion of one's circumstances, both physically and spiritually. It is the provision of security, stability, freedom, and sufficient space to thrive, in stark contrast to the "narrow place" of distress or oppression. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's rescue extends beyond mere survival; He places His trusting children in positions of security and blessing, allowing them to walk in liberty and peace.

• Example: When one feels overwhelmed by overwhelming debt, God might open unexpected doors, provide resources, or guide towards wise financial decisions, "setting their feet in a wide place" of relief and solvency.
• Example: A believer facing intense spiritual attacks may find new strength in prayer and Word, and peace of mind amidst the struggle, indicating God's preserving presence from the "hand of the enemy."