Psalms 118:5

KJV

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.

KJV (with Strong's)

I called {H7121} upon the LORD {H3050} in distress {H4712}: the LORD {H3050} answered {H6030} me, and set me in a large place {H4800}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From my being hemmed in I called on Yah; he answered and gave me more room.

Berean Standard Bible

In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.

American Standard Version

Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me and set me in a large place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 118:5 offers a profound and deeply personal testimony of divine intervention, recounting the psalmist's desperate cry to the LORD from a state of acute constriction and the subsequent, miraculous deliverance that transformed their confined circumstances into a spacious realm of freedom and security. This verse encapsulates the core message of the psalm: God's unfailing mercy and immediate responsiveness to those who trust in Him, powerfully demonstrating His sovereign power to rescue, restore, and expand the horizons of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 118 concludes the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), a significant collection traditionally recited during major Jewish festivals, most notably Passover. Its strategic placement at the end signifies a powerful culmination of praise for God's redemptive acts, encompassing both the sweeping national deliverance of the Exodus and intimate individual experiences of salvation. The psalm masterfully weaves together personal testimony, such as the psalmist's cry in verse 5, with communal declarations of praise, allowing the individual's encounter with God's faithfulness to resonate with the broader historical narrative of Israel's relationship with Yahweh. Immediately preceding this verse, the psalmist emphasizes the foundational truth that "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man" (Psalm 118:8), setting the stage for a vivid personal demonstration of this theological principle. The subsequent verses continue to extol God's mighty hand against adversaries, reinforcing the pervasive theme of divine victory and comprehensive salvation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "distress" (Hebrew: _mêṣar'_) as a "narrow place" or "tight spot" was a deeply ingrained and potent metaphor in the ancient Near East. It vividly conveyed overwhelming adversity, whether from military siege, personal affliction, physical confinement, or existential threat. Conversely, a "large place" (Hebrew: _merḥāv'_) symbolized liberation, security, prosperity, and the unhindered ability to move and thrive—a state of profound blessing and well-being. For ancient Israel, experiences such as the oppressive bondage in Egypt, the challenging wilderness wanderings, or the constant threat of invading armies would have provided tangible and visceral illustrations of the transition from _mêṣar'_ to _merḥāv'_. This cultural understanding profoundly underscored God's unique role as the ultimate Liberator and Provider of space and freedom. The psalmist's personal distress, though unspecified, drew upon this rich, shared cultural understanding of confinement and the miraculous nature of divine liberation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to Psalm 118 and the broader Psalter. Foremost is the **efficacy of prayer**, demonstrating with compelling clarity that a heartfelt, desperate cry to God in affliction is met with an active, divine response. It profoundly highlights God's **faithfulness and responsiveness**, portraying Him not as a distant or indifferent deity but as one who intimately hears, actively intervenes, and personally delivers His people. This truth is beautifully echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I Will Answer You"). Furthermore, the theme of ** divine deliverance and transformative salvation** is central; God not only rescues from immediate peril but also ushers the afflicted into a state of expansive spaciousness and profound peace, symbolizing a comprehensive and holistic salvation. This dramatic transformation from "distress" to a "large place" speaks to God's boundless capacity for complete restoration, mirroring the expansive freedom offered to those who place their trust in Him, a theme beautifully articulated throughout [Psalm 18](/psalms/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Song of Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Called (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** From H7121, a primitive root meaning "to call out to," "address by name," or "proclaim." It implies a fervent, earnest, and often desperate plea, a summoning of divine attention. In this context, it signifies a direct, intentional appeal to God for help, demonstrating the psalmist's active turning towards the divine in a moment of crisis.
* **Distress (Hebrew, _mêṣar'_):** From H4712, meaning "something tight," "trouble," "pain," or "strait." This noun vividly conveys a sense of being hemmed in, confined, or under immense pressure, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It implies a situation where options are limited, and one feels trapped, suffocated, or overwhelmed by circumstances, experiencing acute constriction.
* **Large Place (Hebrew, _merchâb'_):** From H4800, meaning "enlargement," "an open space," or "liberty." This noun stands in direct antithesis to _mêṣar'_. It signifies "breadth," "spaciousness," "room," or "an open expanse." It denotes a state of freedom, security, relief, and the ability to move without constraint. To be set in a _merchâb'_ is to be liberated from oppression, given ample room to thrive, and placed in a position of safety and abundance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I called upon the LORD in distress":** This opening clause establishes the psalmist's dire predicament and their immediate, decisive response. The act of "calling upon" (using _qârâʼ'_) indicates a fervent, earnest, and perhaps desperate plea, directed specifically to Yahweh (H3050), the covenant God of Israel. The phrase "in distress" (using _mêṣar'_) vividly underscores the severity and confining nature of the predicament, highlighting the psalmist's vulnerability and urgent need for divine intervention. It is a testament to the human tendency to turn to the divine when all other avenues seem closed.
* **"the LORD answered me":** This is the pivotal turning point of the verse, a direct and powerful declaration of God's responsiveness. The verb "answered" (using _ʻânâh'_ from H6030) signifies not merely hearing or acknowledging, but actively responding and intervening. It confirms God's attentiveness to the cries of His people and His willingness to engage directly with their plight. This clause affirms God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His character as a compassionate God who hears and acts upon prayer.
* **"[and set me] in a large place":** This final phrase describes the profound and transformative outcome of God's answer. The "large place" (using _merchâb'_) is a rich metaphorical representation of liberation, security, and expansive freedom from the previous "distress." God did not merely remove the problem; He actively brought the psalmist into a new, spacious reality—a place of peace, safety, and flourishing. This signifies a comprehensive deliverance, not just an escape from trouble, but an entry into a state of well-being, unhindered life, and divine provision.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 118:5 masterfully employs **Contrast** as its central literary device, juxtaposing the "distress" (a narrow, confined space) with the "large place" (an open, expansive realm). This stark opposition dramatically illustrates the profound and transformative deliverance brought about by divine intervention. The "large place" also functions as potent **Symbolism**, representing not merely a physical location but a comprehensive state of spiritual, emotional, and existential freedom, security, and well-being. Furthermore, the verse is a powerful example of **Personal Testimony**, where the psalmist recounts a specific, life-altering experience with God, making the abstract truth of God's faithfulness concrete, relatable, and deeply encouraging to the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 118:5 profoundly affirms the biblical truth of God's active and compassionate involvement in the lives of His people, particularly in moments of vulnerability and acute need. It underscores the profound efficacy of prayer as a direct and immediate conduit to divine power and compassion, demonstrating unequivocally that God is not a passive observer but an intimately engaged deliverer. The dramatic transition from "distress" to a "large place" highlights God's boundless capacity for holistic salvation, encompassing not just rescue from immediate peril but also the provision of true peace, security, and expansive freedom. This verse serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that God's faithfulness is unwavering, and His response to genuine, heartfelt need is always one of liberating grace and transformative power.

* [Psalm 18:19](/psalms/18-19 "Psalm 18:19 - God's Deliverance into a Large Place")
* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I Will Answer You")
* [Psalm 4:1](/psalms/4-1 "Psalm 4:1 - God Answers in Distress")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 118:5 offers immense encouragement and a timeless blueprint for believers navigating the complexities and challenges of contemporary life. It serves as a powerful invitation to turn to God as our first and ultimate recourse when faced with overwhelming circumstances, whether they manifest as financial hardship, relational brokenness, physical illness, professional pressures, or spiritual oppression. The psalmist's heartfelt testimony reminds us that our cries are never unheard; God is intimately attentive and profoundly responsive to the genuine needs of His children. Furthermore, the promise of being set in a "large place" speaks to God's deep desire to bring us into a state of peace, freedom, and flourishing, even if external circumstances do not immediately dissipate. This "large place" can manifest as an unshakeable inner peace amidst chaos, spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin or fear, or a renewed sense of purpose and hope that transcends our present limitations. It powerfully encourages us to trust in God's transformative power, knowing that He can expand our horizons, alleviate our burdens, and provide spaciousness for our souls, regardless of the narrowness of our current trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "distress" or "narrow place" am I currently experiencing, and how might I more intentionally "call upon the LORD" in this precise situation?**
* **In what tangible ways have I experienced God's "answer" and been "set in a large place" in my past, and how can I draw strength and confidence from those personal testimonies now?**
* **How does the vivid imagery of moving from a "narrow place" to a "large place" challenge or expand my current understanding of divine deliverance, and what might this "large place" look like in my life today, beyond mere circumstantial change?**

### FAQ
**What does "distress" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Psalms 118:5, "distress" (Hebrew: _mêṣar'_, H4712) refers to a state of severe constriction, narrowness, or being hemmed in. It metaphorically describes overwhelming adversity, oppression, or a situation where one feels trapped with no apparent way out. It encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual pressures that create a profound sense of confinement, limitation, and desperation, as if one is caught in a "tight spot."

**How does God "set me in a large place"?**

Answer: God "setting one in a large place" (Hebrew: _merchâb'_, H4800) signifies a profound act of divine liberation and comprehensive restoration. It is the direct opposite of distress, representing a state of expansive freedom, security, relief, and opportunity. This divine intervention can manifest in various ways: a miraculous physical rescue from danger, deep emotional healing from trauma, spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin or despair, or a renewed sense of peace and hope that transcends difficult external circumstances. It implies God's generous provision of ample room for one to thrive, flourish, and experience true well-being, demonstrating His desire for His people to live in abundance and unhindered, as beautifully illustrated in [Psalm 4:1](/psalms/4-1 "Psalm 4:1 - God Answers in Distress").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 118:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who, in His deepest agony and "distress" in the Garden of Gethsemane, "called upon the LORD" with fervent prayer (see [Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). His agonizing cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (as recorded in [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")), represents the ultimate human experience of being hemmed in by the crushing weight of sin and the power of death, bearing the full burden of humanity's "distress." Yet, God the Father "answered" Him, not by removing the cross, but by raising Him triumphantly from the dead, thereby setting Him in the ultimate "large place"—the boundless spaciousness of resurrection victory and glorious exaltation at the Father's right hand (as powerfully described in [Ephesians 1:20-21](/ephesians/1-20-21 "Ephesians 1:20-21 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")). Through Christ's decisive triumph over sin, death, and the grave, believers are now graciously invited into this eternal "large place" of spiritual freedom, adoption as children of God, and an inheritance of eternal life, no longer confined by the "distress" of sin's dominion or the paralyzing fear of death (see [Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death")). Jesus Christ Himself is our true "large place," offering boundless grace, unshakeable hope, and an expansive life that transcends all earthly distress.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 18:19

He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Psalms 18:6

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.

Psalms 120:1

¶ A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

Psalms 107:19

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saveth them out of their distresses.

Psalms 130:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

Psalms 130:2

Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

Psalms 31:8

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