Psalms 25:17

KJV

The troubles of my heart are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses.

KJV (with Strong's)

The troubles {H6869} of my heart {H3824} are enlarged {H7337}: O bring thou me out {H3318} of my distresses {H4691}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The troubles of my heart are growing and growing; bring me out of my distress.

Berean Standard Bible

The troubles of my heart increase; free me from my distress.

American Standard Version

The troubles of my heart are enlarged: Oh bring thou me out of my distresses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 25:17 is a profound cry of distress from David, articulating the overwhelming and expanding nature of his inner turmoil and external pressures. It captures the psychological and spiritual burden of affliction, where troubles are not merely present but are actively intensifying, leading to a desperate appeal for divine intervention. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's complete dependence on God to deliver him from the constricting grip of his multifaceted difficulties, modeling a raw and honest plea for salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 25:17 is situated within a deeply personal acrostic psalm (verses 1-22), where each verse (or pair of verses in some cases) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This structured prayer reveals David's soul in a moment of profound vulnerability. The preceding verses establish a pattern of seeking God's guidance and forgiveness, acknowledging his sins and the presence of enemies. For example, [Psalm 25:7](/psalms/25-7 "Psalm 25:7 - Do not remember the sins of my youth") pleads for God to remember His mercies, while [Psalm 25:15](/psalms/25-15 "Psalm 25:15 - My eyes are ever toward the Lord") expresses a constant gaze toward the Lord for deliverance from snares. Verse 17, therefore, intensifies the plea, moving from a general request for help to a specific articulation of the *degree* of his suffering, emphasizing that his troubles have grown beyond his capacity to bear, necessitating an urgent, direct appeal to God for rescue.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 25 is not stated, it is widely attributed to David, likely during a period of intense personal or national crisis. David's life was marked by numerous trials—pursuit by Saul, rebellion by Absalom, and various wars and betrayals. The "troubles of my heart" could refer to the internal anguish of sin, the burden of leadership, or the psychological toll of external threats from enemies. In ancient Israel, distress was often viewed as a consequence of sin or divine discipline, yet the psalmist consistently appeals to God's covenant faithfulness and mercy, rather than his own merit. The cultural expectation was to turn to Yahweh in times of trouble, recognizing Him as the ultimate deliverer and protector, a sentiment echoed throughout the [book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers of Israel").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Psalm 25 and the Psalter as a whole. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **lament and petition**, showcasing the raw honesty with which believers can approach God in their suffering. David does not hide his pain but expresses its overwhelming nature directly. Secondly, it underscores **divine dependence and deliverance**, as David recognizes his own inability to escape his "distresses" and places all his hope in God's saving power. This aligns with the broader theme of God as a refuge and stronghold for the righteous, as seen in [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength"). Thirdly, the verse touches upon the theme of **affliction and its spiritual impact**, demonstrating how external pressures and internal struggles can "enlarge" the heart's troubles, leading to deep anguish and a desperate cry for relief. This resonates with the experience of many biblical figures who faced overwhelming odds, yet found their solace and salvation in the Lord, such as Joseph in [Genesis 39](/genesis/39 "Genesis 39 - Joseph in Potiphar's House and Prison") or Job in [the book of Job](/job "The Book of Job - Suffering and Sovereignty").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Enlarged (Hebrew, _rachavu_):** This word comes from the root רָחַב (rachav), meaning "to be wide, broad, spacious." Here, it is a Pual participle, indicating something that has been "made wide" or "expanded." It conveys a sense of active growth and intensification. David's troubles are not merely present; they are actively growing in scope, intensity, and inner impact, filling his heart and mind. This suggests a feeling of being overwhelmed, where the burden is not static but dynamically increasing, pressing in on all sides and consuming his inner being.
* **Distresses (Hebrew, _m'tsarim_):** This is the plural of מֵצַר (metsar), which literally means "narrow places," "straits," or "tight spots." It refers to situations of extreme confinement, oppression, or anguish. The use of "distresses" in conjunction with "enlarged" creates a powerful paradox: David's troubles are expanding in their reach and intensity, yet they are simultaneously trapping him in a very confined, difficult, and oppressive situation. This vivid imagery communicates the profound depth of his suffering, where the very expansion of his troubles leads to a feeling of being constricted and unable to move or breathe freely.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The troubles of my heart are enlarged":** This clause describes the psalmist's internal state. "Troubles" (צָרוֹת, _tsarot_) refers to adversities, afflictions, or distresses. The phrase "of my heart" indicates that these are not merely external circumstances but deep, internal burdens—emotional, psychological, and spiritual anguish. The verb "are enlarged" signifies that these troubles are not static or diminishing; rather, they are actively increasing in magnitude, scope, and intensity, becoming an immense, overwhelming weight that presses down on him. It speaks to the feeling of being swamped by adversity, where the inner capacity to cope is being stretched to its breaking point.
* **"[O] bring thou me out of my distresses":** This is a direct, urgent, and desperate plea to God. The "O" (an interjection added in KJV for emphasis) highlights the intensity of the cry. "Bring thou me out" is an imperative, an earnest request for divine intervention and rescue. "My distresses" (מְצָרִים, _m'tsarim_) reiterates the "narrow places" or "tight spots" from which he seeks liberation. This clause reveals David's complete recognition of his own inability to extricate himself from his predicament and his absolute reliance on God's power and mercy to provide the deliverance he so desperately needs. It is a confession of human limitation and an affirmation of divine sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of David's suffering and his desperate plea. **Metaphor** is evident in "The troubles of my heart are enlarged," where abstract emotional burdens are likened to something physical that can expand, emphasizing their overwhelming and pervasive nature. This is further amplified by the striking **Contrast** or **Antithesis** between "enlarged" (implying spaciousness or expansion) and "distresses" (which literally means "narrow places" or "tight spots"). This paradox vividly portrays the psalmist's experience: his problems are growing in scope, yet they are simultaneously trapping him in a suffocating, confined state. The direct address to God, "[O] bring thou me out," functions as an **Apostrophe** and a fervent **Supplication**, underscoring the personal and urgent nature of the prayer. The two clauses also exhibit an implicit **Cause and Effect** or **State and Solution** parallelism, where the acknowledged state of overwhelming trouble leads directly to the plea for divine rescue.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 25:17 profoundly articulates the human experience of overwhelming distress and the theological truth of God as the ultimate Deliverer. It teaches us that authentic prayer involves a raw, honest confession of our deepest fears and burdens, without pretense. David's cry acknowledges that some burdens grow so large they exceed human capacity, necessitating divine intervention. This verse affirms God's compassionate attentiveness to the cries of His people, even in their most constricted moments, and His sovereign power to bring them out of seemingly inescapable situations. It underscores the biblical principle that our weakness becomes the stage for God's strength.

* [Psalm 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.")
* [Psalm 119:143](/psalms/119-143 "Psalm 119:143 - Trouble and anguish have found me, but your commandments are my delight.")
* [2 Corinthians 1:8-10](/2_corinthians/1-8 "2 Corinthians 1:8-10 - Paul's experience of extreme affliction and God's deliverance.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 25:17 offers a profound template for navigating the inevitable seasons of distress in life. It grants us permission to be utterly honest with God about the true extent of our suffering, acknowledging when our "troubles of heart are enlarged" and we feel trapped in "distresses." This verse reminds us that such vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but an act of profound faith, recognizing that only God possesses the power to truly "bring us out." In a world that often encourages stoicism or self-reliance, David's prayer invites us into a posture of complete dependence on a compassionate God who hears and responds. It encourages us to lay bare our anxieties, our fears, and the overwhelming nature of our burdens before Him, trusting that even when we feel most constricted, His power is limitless and His deliverance is sure. This verse is a powerful reminder that prayer is not merely a ritual, but a lifeline to divine intervention when all other avenues have failed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel your "troubles of heart are enlarged" right now?**
* **How does David's raw honesty in this verse encourage you to approach God with your own struggles?**
* **What "distresses" or "narrow places" are you currently facing, and how can you specifically ask God to "bring you out"?**
* **How does recognizing your own limitations in the face of overwhelming troubles deepen your dependence on God?**

### FAQ
**What does "the troubles of my heart are enlarged" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase vividly describes an experience of escalating inner turmoil and distress. It means that the psalmist's afflictions, anxieties, and sorrows are not static or diminishing; rather, they are actively increasing in their scope, intensity, and emotional impact. Imagine a small problem that grows into an overwhelming burden, consuming one's thoughts and feelings. It speaks to a profound sense of being swamped or inundated by difficulties, where the internal capacity to cope is stretched to its breaking point. This isn't just about having troubles, but about feeling them expand and press in on one's very core, leading to a desperate need for external, divine intervention.

**How does this verse relate to the broader theme of suffering in the Psalms?**

Answer: Psalms 25:17 is a classic expression of lament, a prominent theme throughout the [book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers of Israel"). Many psalms articulate the pain, confusion, and despair of suffering (e.g., [Psalm 13](/psalms/13 "Psalm 13 - How long, O Lord?")). This verse specifically highlights the *intensity* and *overwhelming nature* of suffering, where troubles feel "enlarged" and lead to "distresses" or "narrow places." It demonstrates that the psalmists did not shy away from expressing the full depth of their anguish to God. Crucially, like many laments, it moves from complaint to petition, and often to an expression of trust, modeling how believers can process their pain honestly before God while simultaneously appealing for His deliverance. It underscores the belief that God is attentive to the cries of the afflicted and is capable of bringing relief, even when human resources are exhausted.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 25:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the experience of "enlarged troubles" and provides the definitive "bringing out of distresses." As the "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - He was despised and rejected by mankind")), Jesus uniquely bore the enlarged troubles of humanity's sin, sickness, and spiritual bondage. His anguish in Gethsemane, where His soul was "very sorrowful, even to death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' agony in Gethsemane")), profoundly illustrates the "enlarged troubles of His heart" as He contemplated the crushing weight of the world's iniquity He was about to bear. On the cross, He experienced the ultimate "distress," being forsaken by God ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' cry of dereliction")), entering the narrowest and most oppressive of places—death itself—for our sake. Yet, through His resurrection, God "brought Him out of His distresses" with glorious triumph, demonstrating His power over sin and death. Because Jesus entered into and conquered the ultimate distress, He is now able to empathize with our "enlarged troubles" as our compassionate High Priest ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, our sympathetic High Priest")) and to truly "bring us out of our distresses," offering not just temporary relief but eternal liberation and true peace ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus gives His peace")).

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

2 Corinthians 4:8

¶ [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair;

2 Corinthians 4:9

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Psalms 107:6

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

Psalms 34:19

Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalms 38:1

¶ A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Psalms 38:8

I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

Psalms 77:2

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.