Psalms 31:5

KJV

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Into thine hand {H3027} I commit {H6485} my spirit {H7307}: thou hast redeemed {H6299} me, O LORD {H3068} God {H410} of truth {H571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Into your hand I commit my spirit; you will redeem me, ADONAI, God of truth.

Berean Standard Bible

Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.

American Standard Version

Into thy hand I commend my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Jehovah, thou God of truth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 31:5 is a profound declaration of trust and surrender from David amidst severe distress, encapsulating his complete reliance on God. Despite facing overwhelming opposition and personal anguish, David confidently commits his very being—his spirit, life, and future—into the sovereign care of the Almighty. This act of faith is grounded in the firm conviction of God's proven redemptive power and His unwavering character as the "God of truth," affirming His reliability and faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 31 is a deeply personal lament, a prayer woven with cries of distress, pleas for deliverance, and powerful expressions of trust. The psalm begins with David seeking refuge in God from his enemies and feeling overwhelmed by shame and fear (e.g., [Psalms 31:1-4](/psalms/31-1 "Psalms 31:1-4 - A Prayer for Deliverance")). He describes his physical and emotional deterioration, feeling like a broken vessel and an object of scorn (e.g., [Psalms 31:9-13](/psalms/31-9 "Psalms 31:9-13 - David's Anguish")). Amidst this turmoil, verse 5 serves as a pivotal moment of surrender and affirmation, a confident pivot from lament to a declaration of faith, which then sets the stage for renewed pleas and expressions of hope in the latter half of the psalm (e.g., [Psalms 31:14-24](/psalms/31-14 "Psalms 31:14-24 - Renewed Trust and Praise")). It's a testament to David's spiritual resilience, demonstrating that even in the darkest valleys, faith can rise above despair.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David, the author, frequently found himself in situations of extreme peril, pursued by enemies like Saul, facing betrayal, or battling foreign adversaries. This psalm likely reflects a time of intense personal suffering and public humiliation, where his life was genuinely threatened. In ancient Israel, the concept of "spirit" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_) often encompassed the entire person—their life force, consciousness, and very being. To "commit one's spirit" was an ultimate act of surrender, particularly significant in a culture where personal honor and family lineage were paramount. The "hand" of God symbolized His power, protection, and sovereign control, a common biblical metaphor emphasizing divine authority and care. The declaration of God as "God of truth" (אֵל אֱמֶת, _El Emeth_) would resonate deeply in a society where covenants and oaths were binding, highlighting God's absolute trustworthiness in contrast to human deceit and betrayal.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Absolute Trust in God**, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. David's surrender is not born of resignation but of profound confidence in God's character and power. Secondly, it highlights **God's Redemptive Character**. The affirmation "thou hast redeemed me" points to God's consistent history of delivering His people from various forms of bondage and peril, a theme central to Israel's identity, rooted in the [Exodus narrative](/exodus/6 "Exodus 6 - God's Promise to Deliver Israel"). Thirdly, the phrase "O LORD God of truth" emphasizes **God's Unwavering Faithfulness and Integrity**. This attribute provides the bedrock for David's trust, assuring him that God is utterly reliable and true to His promises, unlike fallible human beings or false gods. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, from God's covenant with Abraham in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abraham") to the New Testament's portrayal of God's immutability in [Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18 - God's Unchanging Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commit (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** This word carries a richer meaning than simply "hand over." It implies entrusting something valuable to someone for safekeeping, with the expectation of watchful care, oversight, and responsibility. It suggests placing oneself under divine guardianship and protection, acknowledging God's active involvement in preserving what has been entrusted to Him. It's an act of confident reliance, not passive abandonment.
* **Redeemed (Hebrew, _padah'_):** This term signifies being ransomed, delivered, or set free from bondage, danger, or peril, often implying a cost or a powerful intervention. It's a declaration of past and ongoing deliverance, a confident assertion of God's proven track record of rescue. For David, this would encompass countless instances of God's intervention in his life, from saving him from the lion and bear to delivering him from Saul's relentless pursuit.
* **God of truth (Hebrew, _El Emeth'_):** This divine title combines _El_ (God, a general term for deity, often emphasizing power) with _Emeth_ (truth, faithfulness, reliability, firmness, stability). It underscores God's absolute integrity, His unwavering adherence to His promises, and His unchanging character. He is the God who cannot lie, whose word is utterly dependable, and whose faithfulness provides the ultimate foundation for trust.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Into thine hand I commit my spirit:"** This opening clause is a profound act of absolute surrender and trust. "Into thine hand" signifies placing oneself under God's complete authority, protection, and care. The "spirit" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_) here encompasses David's entire being—his life, his inner self, his very existence. It is a deliberate and conscious act of entrusting everything to God, acknowledging His sovereignty over life and death, and seeking refuge in His divine guardianship. It is an act of faith that relinquishes control and embraces dependence.
* **"thou hast redeemed me,"** This phrase is a powerful declaration of God's past and ongoing redemptive work. It is not a plea for future redemption but an affirmation of God's proven faithfulness in delivering David from various perils. The use of the past tense ("hast redeemed") grounds David's present act of surrender in God's reliable history of salvation. This remembrance of past deliverance fuels his current trust, providing assurance that the God who has redeemed him before will continue to do so.
* **"O LORD God of truth."** This concluding address serves as the theological bedrock for David's audacious trust. By calling God "O LORD God of truth," David appeals to God's fundamental character—His unwavering faithfulness, reliability, and integrity. This divine attribute ensures that the "hand" into which David commits his spirit is utterly trustworthy and that the "redemption" he has experienced is eternally secure. It is an affirmation that God is true to His word, His covenant, and His very nature.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 31:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or abstract entity, in this case, God ("O LORD God of truth"). This direct address intensifies the personal and intimate nature of David's prayer and declaration. The verse also functions as a powerful **Declaration** or **Affirmation**, where David confidently states his act of surrender and God's redemptive work, rather than merely requesting it. This declarative tone imbues the verse with authority and conviction. Furthermore, the phrase "Into thine hand" utilizes **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, picturing God's "hand" as a symbol of His protective power, sovereign control, and nurturing care, a common biblical motif. The structure of the verse, moving from surrender to a declaration of redemption and then to an affirmation of God's character, creates a sense of **Logical Progression**, where David's trust is firmly rooted in God's proven faithfulness and truthfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a profound testament to the nature of biblical faith, which is not a blind leap but a confident trust grounded in the revealed character and actions of God. It highlights God's sovereign control over all life and circumstances, inviting believers to relinquish their anxieties into His capable hands. The declaration of God as the "God of truth" underscores His immutability and reliability, providing an unshakeable foundation for hope in a world of flux. This surrender, rooted in past redemption, foreshadows the ultimate act of trust and redemption found in Christ, making it a cornerstone for understanding divine providence and human dependence.

* [Luke 23:46](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus' Final Words on the Cross")
* [Acts 7:59](/acts/7-59 "Acts 7:59 - Stephen's Dying Prayer")
* [1 Peter 4:19](/1_peter/4-19 "1 Peter 4:19 - Committing Souls to a Faithful Creator")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 31:5 offers a timeless blueprint for navigating life's most challenging moments, including the ultimate challenge of death. It calls us to cultivate a radical posture of trust, mirroring David's willingness to surrender his very spirit into God's hands. This is not a passive resignation but an active, faith-filled choice to release our anxieties, fears, and even our future into the care of the One who has proven His faithfulness time and again. In a world that often demands self-reliance and control, this verse invites us to embrace divine dependence, reminding us that true security is found not in our grip on life, but in God's unwavering grip on us. It encourages us to remember God's past redemptive acts in our own lives, building our confidence in His ongoing care and truthfulness, enabling us to face uncertainty with courage and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me to "commit my spirit" to God in my current circumstances?**
* **How have I experienced God's redemption in my past, and how does that inform my trust in Him today?**
* **In what areas of my life am I struggling to surrender control to the "God of truth"?**
* **How can meditating on God's unwavering faithfulness strengthen my faith during times of distress or uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "commit my spirit" to God?**

Answer: To "commit my spirit" means to entrust one's entire being—life, soul, thoughts, will, and future—into God's sovereign care and protection. It's an act of profound faith and surrender, acknowledging that God has ultimate authority and is completely trustworthy. It's not about giving up but about placing oneself under divine guardianship, believing that God will watch over and preserve what has been entrusted to Him, even in the face of death or extreme peril. This phrase was famously echoed by Jesus on the cross in [Luke 23:46](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus' Final Words on the Cross") and by Stephen in [Acts 7:59](/acts/7-59 "Acts 7:59 - Stephen's Dying Prayer"), highlighting its significance as a final act of trust.

**How does "thou hast redeemed me" apply if David isn't explicitly in physical bondage?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "redeemed" (_padah_) means to be ransomed, delivered, or set free from any form of peril, not just physical slavery. For David, "redeemed" refers to God's consistent history of delivering him from various life-threatening situations, such as the lion and bear ([1 Samuel 17:37](/1_samuel/17-37 "1 Samuel 17:37 - David's Trust in God")), the hand of Saul ([1 Samuel 19:10-12](/1_samuel/19-10 "1 Samuel 19:10-12 - Saul's Attempt to Kill David")), or the numerous battles he fought. It's a declaration of God's proven track record of rescue and liberation from all forms of danger, distress, and death, affirming His ongoing faithfulness as a deliverer.

**Why is God called "O LORD God of truth"?**

Answer: Calling God "O LORD God of truth" (אֵל אֱמֶת, _El Emeth_) emphasizes His absolute faithfulness, reliability, and integrity. "Truth" here signifies more than just factual accuracy; it speaks to God's unchangeable character, His unwavering adherence to His promises, and His complete trustworthiness. In a world full of deceit and broken promises, this title provides the ultimate foundation for David's audacious trust. It assures him that the One to whom he commits his spirit is utterly dependable, true to His covenant, and incapable of failing or lying ([Titus 1:2](/titus/1-2 "Titus 1:2 - God Who Cannot Lie")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 31:5 finds its most profound and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. His cry from the cross, "[Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus' Final Words on the Cross")," is a direct echo of David's words, revealing the Son's perfect surrender and trust in the Father even in the face of death. This was not a surrender of defeat, but a confident entrusting of His life and mission to the Father's sovereign will, knowing that His sacrifice would be accepted and His resurrection assured. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the "redeemed me" because through His atoning work, He truly [redeemed humanity from the bondage of sin and death](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood"), paying the ultimate price. He perfectly embodies the "God of truth," being [the Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"), and His resurrection is the ultimate proof that the Father is indeed the "God of truth," who is faithful to His promises to raise His Son and, through Him, all who believe. Thus, David's ancient prayer becomes a prophetic utterance, pointing to the perfect trust and redemptive work of the Messiah.

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.