Psalms 118:5
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽן
H4480
מִֽן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
קָרָ֣אתִי
I called
H7121
קָרָ֣אתִי
I called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
3 of 7
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עָנָ֖נִי
answered
H6030
עָנָ֖נִי
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
Cross References
Psalms 18:19He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.Psalms 18:6In 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 120:1In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.Psalms 107:19Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.Psalms 31:8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.Psalms 107:13Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.Psalms 77:2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.Genesis 32:7Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
Historical Context
David's life exemplified this pattern: pursued by Saul through wilderness caves (narrow places), delivered to kingship over all Israel (broad place); Israel enslaved in Egypt (narrow place), delivered to Canaan (broad land); Judah exiled to Babylon (confined), restored to Jerusalem (spacious). The Exodus narrative uses similar spatial imagery—from Egyptian bondage to Promised Land "flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). Jesus later promised abundant life (John 10:10) in contrast to thief's destruction. Paul testified to similar deliverance: "delivered us from so great a death" (2 Corinthians 1:10).
Questions for Reflection
- What "narrow places" of distress have you experienced, and how did God answer your cries?
- How does remembering past deliverances from distress strengthen faith for current trials?
- In what ways does God provide "large places" of spiritual freedom beyond mere physical deliverance?
Analysis & Commentary
"I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place." The Hebrew min hametsar karati Yah (from the narrow/distressing place I called to Yah) uses metsar, indicating tight place, distress, straits—both physical confinement and emotional anguish. The shortened divine name Yah (יָהּ) appears in moments of urgent, intimate address. "The LORD answered me" (anani Yah) affirms divine response—God hears and acts. "Set me in a large place" (b'merchav Yah) pictures movement from confinement to spaciousness, restriction to freedom, danger to safety. Merchav (broad/wide place) connotes relief, deliverance, room to breathe and move. This pattern—cry from distress, divine deliverance to spaciousness—recurs throughout Psalms (Psalm 4:1, 18:19, 31:8). God specializes in bringing His people from narrow straits to broad pastures.