Psalms 31:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And hast not shut me up {H5462} into the hand {H3027} of the enemy {H341}: thou hast set {H5975} my feet {H7272} in a large room {H4800}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You did not hand me over to the enemy; you set my feet where I can move freely.

Berean Standard Bible

You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open.

American Standard Version

And thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a large place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 31:8 is a profound declaration of divine deliverance and gratitude, where the psalmist, David, testifies to God's active intervention in rescuing him from overwhelming peril. It marks a dramatic transition from a state of imminent capture and confinement by enemies to one of secure freedom and expansive liberty, attributing this transformative rescue entirely to God's protective and liberating power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 31 is a rich tapestry of lament, prayer, and ultimately, trust and praise. It begins with David's desperate plea for rescue from his adversaries, expressing deep distress and a sense of being surrounded by danger (e.g., [Psalms 31:1-4](/psalms/31-1 "Psalm 31:1-4 - David's Plea for Deliverance")). The verse immediately preceding Psalms 31:8, [Psalms 31:7](/psalms/31-7 "Psalm 31:7 - God's Goodness and Deliverance"), expresses joy and gladness in God's steadfast love, acknowledging that God has seen his affliction and known his soul in adversities. Psalms 31:8 then serves as a specific testimony to this deliverance, a concrete example of God's faithfulness in action, moving from a general declaration of trust to a specific instance of rescue, setting the stage for continued praise and confidence in God's protection in the subsequent verses (e.g., [Psalms 31:9-13](/psalms/31-9 "Psalm 31:9-13 - Continued Distress and Trust")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was marked by frequent periods of intense persecution and flight, notably from King Saul (as chronicled in [1 Samuel](/1-samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel")) and later from foreign enemies and even his own son Absalom ([2 Samuel 15](/2-samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). The imagery of being "shut up into the hand of the enemy" vividly portrays the ancient fear of capture, imprisonment, or death at the hands of adversaries, a common and terrifying reality in a world without modern justice systems or protections. To be "in the hand of" an enemy meant to be completely at their mercy, under their control, facing certain harm or demise. The "large room" (Hebrew: _merchav_) stands in stark contrast to this confinement, signifying a place of safety, freedom of movement, and liberation from distress, much like being released from a narrow, dangerous pass into open, secure territory. This imagery would have resonated deeply with a people familiar with the threats of siege warfare, ambush, and the constant vulnerability of life in a volatile region.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Deliverance**, highlighting God's active and personal involvement in rescuing His faithful from seemingly insurmountable dangers. It is a testament to God's ability and willingness to intervene when His people are at their most vulnerable, a theme echoed throughout David's psalms of deliverance, such as [Psalms 18](/psalms/18 "Psalm 18 - God Our Deliverer"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Freedom and Security**, portraying God not merely as one who prevents harm, but as one who actively establishes His people in a place of peace and spaciousness. This "large room" symbolizes not just escape, but a state of true liberty and security, free from the immediate threat of the oppressor, a concept also found in [Psalms 118:5](/psalms/118-5 "Psalm 118:5 - Out of Distress into a Large Place"). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Trust in God's Sovereignty**, as David's declaration of deliverance is embedded within a psalm of lament and trust, showcasing his unwavering conviction that God is in control and will ultimately provide an escape and a secure future. Finally, the verse encapsulates a dramatic **Transformation from Confinement to Expansion**, illustrating God's power to turn desperate circumstances into opportunities for flourishing and unhindered movement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **shut me up (Hebrew, _sāgar'_):** This verb means "to shut," "to close," "to confine," or "to deliver up." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of being enclosed, trapped, or surrendered into the power of another. The psalmist expresses gratitude that God has not allowed him to be sealed off or handed over completely to the enemy's control, implying a state of extreme vulnerability and impending doom.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yāḏ'_):** While literally meaning "hand," this term frequently serves as a metonymy for power, authority, or control. To be "in the hand of the enemy" means to be entirely subject to their will, their destructive power, and their ability to inflict harm or death. God's action is thus a direct intervention against the enemy's dominion.
* **large room (Hebrew, _merḥāḇ'_):** This noun literally means "breadth," "spaciousness," or "a wide place." It is a powerful metaphor for freedom, security, and relief from distress. In contrast to the narrow, confining, and dangerous circumstances implied by being "shut up," a "large room" signifies ample space to move, breathe, and exist without threat. It speaks of liberation from oppression and the establishment in a place of safety and flourishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy":** This clause highlights God's negative act of prevention. The psalmist expresses profound gratitude that God did not permit him to be captured, confined, or surrendered to the absolute power and destructive will of his adversaries. This implies that the danger was real, imminent, and overwhelming, and only divine intervention prevented his complete downfall. It underscores God's active protection and refusal to abandon His servant to the forces of evil.
* **"thou hast set my feet in a large room":** This clause describes God's positive act of establishment and liberation. Beyond merely preventing harm, God actively placed the psalmist in a secure, spacious, and unhindered environment. "Setting feet" implies firm establishment and stable footing. The "large room" symbolizes not just escape, but a state of true freedom, peace, and security, where the psalmist can move freely, unconstrained by fear or threat. It is a divine provision of safety and well-being after a period of intense distress.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 31:8 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its message of divine deliverance. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, creating a stark contrast between two opposing states: being "shut up into the hand of the enemy" and having one's "feet in a large room." This juxtaposition powerfully emphasizes the magnitude of God's intervention, transforming a situation of extreme confinement and peril into one of expansive freedom and security. The phrase "large room" functions as a potent **Metaphor**, representing not a literal physical space, but a state of liberation, safety, and unhindered movement, contrasting sharply with the metaphorical "narrow place" of distress. Furthermore, the imagery of the "hand of the enemy" is a **Metonymy**, where "hand" stands for the enemy's power, control, and destructive intent, making the threat more tangible and immediate. The entire verse serves as a **Testimony**, a personal declaration of God's faithfulness and a narrative of divine rescue, designed to inspire trust and gratitude in the listener.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 31:8 profoundly articulates God's character as the ultimate Deliverer and Protector, a foundational theological truth woven throughout Scripture. It showcases divine sovereignty over human circumstances, demonstrating that even when faced with overwhelming odds and the apparent triumph of adversaries, God retains the power to intervene decisively and establish His people in security. This verse affirms that God's deliverance is not merely an escape from danger but a transition into a state of spaciousness and freedom, reflecting His desire for His children to live unhindered lives of peace and trust. It connects deeply with the biblical narrative of God's consistent redemption, from the liberation of Israel from Egyptian bondage to the promise of ultimate freedom from sin and death.

* [Psalms 18:19](/psalms/18-19 "Psalm 18:19 - God Delivers into a Broad Place")
* [Psalms 118:5](/psalms/118-5 "Psalm 118:5 - Out of Distress into a Large Place")
* [2 Samuel 22:20](/2-samuel/22-20 "2 Samuel 22:20 - God Brought Me Forth into a Large Place")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 31:8 offers immense encouragement and hope for believers navigating the complexities and challenges of contemporary life. In a world that often feels confining, whether by spiritual battles, emotional distress, financial hardship, relational conflicts, or societal pressures, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is our ultimate deliverer. It invites us to shift our perspective from the immediate threat to the sovereign power of God, who is able not only to prevent our downfall but also to establish us in a place of true freedom and peace. The "large room" God provides may not always be a change in external circumstances, but often a profound internal spaciousness—a peace that transcends understanding, a clarity of mind, or a spiritual liberation that allows us to breathe and move freely even amidst ongoing trials. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude for God's past deliverances and to maintain unwavering trust in His ongoing faithfulness, knowing that He is always at work to set our feet on firm ground.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "enemies" or confining circumstances in your life currently make you feel "shut up" or trapped?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's deliverance, setting your "feet in a large room," even if that "room" was a spiritual or emotional space rather than a physical one?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness in delivering you strengthen your trust in Him for present and future challenges?**
* **What does it mean practically to "set your feet in a large room" in your daily life, and how can you actively seek this spaciousness from God?**

### FAQ
**What does "large room" mean literally and metaphorically in this verse?**

Answer: Literally, "large room" translates the Hebrew word _merchav_ (מֶרְחָב), which means "breadth," "spaciousness," or "a wide place." It refers to an open, unconfined area. Metaphorically, and most significantly in this context, it represents a state of freedom, security, and relief from distress. It contrasts sharply with the feeling of being "shut up" or confined by enemies, symbolizing liberation from oppression, danger, and anxiety. It signifies a place where one can move freely, breathe easily, and live without immediate threat, reflecting God's provision of peace and safety for His people, as seen in other passages like [Psalms 18:19](/psalms/18-19 "Psalm 18:19 - God Delivers into a Broad Place").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 31:8 speaks of David's temporal deliverance, its deepest fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, is truly "shut up into the hand of the enemy"—enslaved by sin, death, and the power of Satan ([Romans 6:17](/romans/6-17 "Romans 6:17 - Slaves to Sin"), [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Delivered from the Power of Death")). Jesus, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, is the ultimate Deliverer who breaks the chains of this spiritual captivity. He has "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")). Through faith in Him, we are not merely released from the enemy's grip; we are "set... in a large room" of grace, reconciliation, and eternal life. This "large room" is the freedom found in Christ—freedom from condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")), freedom to approach God's throne with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")), and the spaciousness of a life lived in the Spirit, where there is "no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - One in Christ Jesus")). He is the true "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the ultimate, eternal spaciousness of salvation.

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

Job 36:16

Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait [into] a broad place, where [there is] no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table [should be] full of fatness.

Psalms 18:19

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

Psalms 4:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Deuteronomy 32:30

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

1 Samuel 17:46

This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Isaiah 19:4

And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

1 Samuel 24:18

And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.