The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 31
In brief
Psalm 31 is a psalm of David, entrusted to the chief musician. David moves back and forth between trust and distress: he takes refuge in God, his rock and fortress, commends his spirit into his hand, then describes deep suffering, made of grief, isolation and mockery. Then he cries out: “Oh how great is your goodness.” The psalm ends with a call to courage for all who hope in the Lord. Jesus takes up one of its sayings on the cross.
The chapter in 5 parts
1In you, Yahweh, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.
2Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me.
3For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.
4Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold.
5Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.
6I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in Yahweh.
7I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities.
8You have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.
9Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.
10For my life is spent with sorrow, my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity. My bones are wasted away.
11Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, a horror to my acquaintances. Those who saw me on the street fled from me.
12I am forgotten from their hearts like a dead man. I am like broken pottery.
13For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.
14But I trust in you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my God.”
15My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16Make your face to shine on your servant. Save me in your loving kindness.
17Let me not be disappointed, Yahweh, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be silent in Sheol.
18Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.
19Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!
20In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.
21Praise be to Yahweh, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city.
22As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.
23Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints! Yahweh preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.
24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh.
Key verses
Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.
“Into your hand I commend my spirit.” David entrusts his life to God. Jesus takes up these words as he dies on the cross, in Luke 23:46, adding “Father.”
My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
“My times are in your hand”: hard seasons are not out of God's reach. The verse invites us to let go of control without denying fear.
Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!
The exclamation of the psalm: God's goodness is laid up for those who fear him and who take refuge in him. It is visible, not only promised.
As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.
David admits that in his haste he said he was cut off from God's sight. He was wrong, because God had heard his prayer. Honest doubt does not shut you out of God's presence.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh.
The psalm ends with a call to strength for believers: hoping in the Lord makes it possible to hold on when the situation has not yet changed.
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What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 31
What does “into your hand I commend my spirit” (Psalm 31:5) mean?
David entrusts his life, his fears and his future to God, in whom he trusts. Jesus took up this saying on the cross (Luke 23:46), addressing the Father. Many Christians also pray it in the evening or as death approaches, as a way of surrendering to God's faithfulness.
Who wrote Psalm 31?
The title attributes it to David, for the chief musician. The text describes a man who is persecuted, isolated and exhausted, which may recall his years of flight from Saul. The psalm does not specify the exact episode, which makes it easy to pray in other situations of distress.
How do you pray Psalm 31 in hardship?
Begin with verses 1 to 5 by reminding God who he is: rock, fortress, refuge. Tell him sincerely what you are going through with verses 9 to 13. Then say verse 15, “My times are in your hand,” and finish with verse 24 to ask for the strength to hold on.
Articles quoting Psalm 31
- 20 Bible Verses for a Christian Funeral in Japan: Hope and Comfort for the Bereaved
- 20 Bible Verses for the Japanese New Year: Entrusting the Year to God
- Ezekiel 3: What Is Hard to Digest Becomes Sweet as Honey
- Face to Face with God: Winning the Battle of the Image
- The People Before the Cross of Jesus
- Deliverers: Learning to See Further, Like Moses
World English Bible translation — public domain.