Psalms 31:5

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

בְּיָדְךָ֮ Into thine hand H3027
בְּיָדְךָ֮ Into thine hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 1 of 8
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אַפְקִ֪יד I commit H6485
אַפְקִ֪יד I commit
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 2 of 8
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
ר֫וּחִ֥י my spirit H7307
ר֫וּחִ֥י my spirit
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 3 of 8
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
פָּדִ֖יתָה thou hast redeemed H6299
פָּדִ֖יתָה thou hast redeemed
Strong's: H6299
Word #: 4 of 8
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
אוֹתִ֥י H853
אוֹתִ֥י
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֗ה me O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה me O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵ֣ל God H410
אֵ֣ל God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 7 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
אֱמֶֽת׃ of truth H571
אֱמֶֽת׃ of truth
Strong's: H571
Word #: 8 of 8
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

Cross References

Luke 23:46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.Acts 7:59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.Psalms 71:23My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.Revelation 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:Isaiah 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.Genesis 48:16The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Analysis & Commentary

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. This verse expresses ultimate trust in God's faithfulness and became Jesus' final words from the cross (Luke 23:46), establishing a profound typological connection between David's trust and Christ's perfect surrender.

The Hebrew word for commit (paqad) means to entrust or deposit for safekeeping, suggesting David places his life—his very essence—into God's protective custody. Spirit (ruach) refers to the life-breath, the animating principle that makes us living beings. David trusts God not just with circumstances but with his essential being.

Thou hast redeemed me invokes covenant language. The Hebrew ga'al refers to the kinsman-redeemer who buys back family members from slavery or debt. David acknowledges God as his personal redeemer who has already secured his deliverance. This is not future hope but past-tense confidence—redemption already accomplished forms the basis for present trust.

O LORD God of truth identifies God by His covenant name (YHWH) and His essential character. The Hebrew emet (truth) denotes reliability, faithfulness, and immutability. God's truth is not merely propositional but relational—He keeps His promises. Because God is truthful in nature, He can be trusted with our lives.

When Jesus quoted this verse at His death, He fulfilled David's typological trust. Where David committed his spirit in crisis, Christ committed His spirit in atoning sacrifice. Reformed theology sees Christ as the true Israel, the ultimate Psalmist who perfectly trusts God through death itself.

Historical Context

Psalm 31 is a Davidic lament, likely composed during one of his many persecutions—possibly during Absalom's rebellion or Saul's pursuit. The superscription attributes it to David, and the intimate knowledge of unjust suffering and divine deliverance fits his biography.

This verse became central to Jewish evening prayers (the bedtime Shema), teaching generations to commit their lives to God daily. Its use by Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:46) elevated it from personal devotion to cosmic significance—the Messiah's final act of trust before accomplishing redemption.

The concept of the kinsman-redeemer (ga'al) would be vivid to ancient Israelites familiar with Levitical law. When family members fell into slavery or lost land, the nearest relative had obligation and right to redeem them. David claims this intimate relationship with YHWH—God is his kinsman-redeemer, personally invested in his deliverance.

Questions for Reflection