Psalm 31:5

Psalm 31:5, in plain English

Here's one of the most profound verses in the psalm: the psalmist commits his entire self—his spirit, his essence—to God's care, trusting that God has already bought him back and will honor that commitment because He's a God of truth.

Why it's here

This verse moves to deep trust, almost resignation in the best sense. The psalmist isn't saying 'I hope God might help'—he's saying 'My entire self is in Your hands, and I know You keep Your word.' The word 'redeemed' suggests God has already paid the price to claim him as His own.

Who's speaking

David, reaching the deepest level of faith in this prayer.

Where it sits in the story

This verse became so foundational that Jesus Himself prayed it on the cross—'Into Your hands I commit My spirit.' It's the prayer of complete surrender, and it shows that trusting God means placing everything—including your life—in His hands.

The scholarly reading

The psalmist entrusts his entire life to God with the confidence that God has already proven faithful by redeeming him, and God is fundamentally truthful.

Language and setting

The phrase 'Into Your hands I commit my spirit' (בְיָדְךָ אַפְקִיד אֶת־רוּחִי) is remarkable for its combination of vulnerability and assurance. The verb פקד (paqad) suggests both releasing and trusting someone to care. The 'God of truth' (אֱלֹהִים אֱמֶת) underscores that God's nature is reliability itself—He cannot act contrary to His truthfulness.

Voice

The supplicant, now at the apex of his confession of faith. This verse becomes the ultimate expression of the psalm's spiritual posture.

Significance

This verse becomes Jesus's dying prayer in Luke 23:46, transforming the psalm of individual lament into the prayer of redemptive suffering. Early Christian interpreters, from the Fathers onward, saw in this verse the model of Christian faith at its most profound—complete surrender rooted in the certainty of God's covenantal fidelity.

3For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.

4You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.

5Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.

6I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.

7I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.

Read all of Psalm 31 — The words Jesus spoke from the cross first appear here. David commits his spirit to the faithful God who has redeemed him.