Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psalm 31:5
A Profession of Trust
In a psalm of commitment David leads the believer to surrender his situation to God, and rely completely on him. Verse 5 of this great psalm of commitment was quoted by Christ on the cross. David appeals to God who is and has been his refuge. He feels his danger intensely, but continues to trust in God. Having experienced God’s goodness, David exhorts “all his saints” to love and trust God.
31:5 “Into Your hands I commit my spirit” (31:5). Christ quoted this expression at the moment of His death on Calvary (Luke 23:46). God’s honor is not bound up in preserving us from death, but in preserving us through death. These words were also spoken by Stephen before his death (Acts 7:59).
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46
31:17 “Put to Shame” Two Hebrew words are translated “shame” in the OT. Kalam indicates the disgrace of a public humiliation and the crushing blow to the individual’s confidence this involves. The most common word, bosh(s), also pictures failure of some sort that leads to disgrace. The psalmist publicly places his hope in God’ being “put to shame” would be the result if God failed to deliver him. Because our hope is in God, who does deliver, His name is glorified when He relieves our distress, and at the same time we are vindicated in our faith
17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave.
A Profession of Trust
31 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. 6 I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, 8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! 10 For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away. 11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me. 12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life. 14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake. 17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. 18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the Lord, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! 22 For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes”; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You. 23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. 24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.
