Psalms 31:5
Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
Psalms 31:5 (KJV)
Context
Psalm 31 is attributed to David and is a psalm of trust and deliverance in times of trouble.
Meaning
David expresses complete trust in God by committing his spirit into His hands. This act acknowledges that his life and very essence are in the Lord’s care, reflecting surrender and dependence on God’s guidance and protection. Committing his spirit may be understood as entrusting his life to God as the faithful Creator and Preserver who gave him life and upholds his soul. It can also mean committing his soul and its eternal salvation into the hand of the Lord his Redeemer, where it is safe and out of whose hands none can pluck it. In the face of danger, David speaks as one who may soon die, committing his spirit to God, to whom it belongs and to whom it returns at death. The spirit does not die with the body but exists in a separate state and would be immediately with God.
David acknowledges that the Lord has redeemed him. Redemption refers to being bought back or rescued from bondage or danger. In the Old Testament, redemption often referred to God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. David recognizes that God has saved him from troubles and challenges, attributing this redemption to the Lord’s faithfulness and truth. This redemption may be understood either as temporal redemption of his life from past destruction, which encouraged him to commit his life to God now, since God is the same and changes not; or as spiritual and eternal redemption from sin by the blood of Christ. The psalmist speaks of this redemption as if it were past, though it was future, because of the certainty of its fulfillment.
David addresses God as the “Lord God of truth.” This description emphasizes God’s faithfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability. David recognizes that God’s character is marked by truth, and he can rely on God’s promises and actions.
Biblical connections
Our Lord Jesus Christ used the same words when expiring on the cross, seemingly taking them from or referring to this psalm (Luke 23:46). This connection highlights the verse’s significance as a model of trust in God even in death.
Application
As believers, we can draw several lessons from this verse:
Trusting in God’s care: Like David, we can commit our spirits, our lives, and our entire beings into God’s hands, trusting that He will guide and protect us in all circumstances.
Acknowledging God’s redemption: We can recognize that God has redeemed us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, we are set free from the bondage of sin and reconciled to God.
Embracing God’s truth: Just as David addressed God as the “Lord God of truth,” we can rely on God’s truth revealed in His Word, the Bible. We can seek His guidance and live according to His principles, knowing that His ways are trustworthy and reliable.
Finding comfort in God’s faithfulness: In times of trouble or distress, we can take refuge in God’s faithfulness, remembering His past acts of deliverance and trusting that He will continue to provide for us and work in our lives.
