Psalm 31
"Into Your hands I commit my spirit"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Read
What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole passage, in shortThe main points of the whole passage, in a few sentences.
David takes refuge in God, his rock and fortress, and prays, "Into Your hands I commit my spirit." He is worn out with grief, avoided by friends, forgotten like a broken jar, with terror on every side. But he says, "I trust in You, O LORD; My times are in Your hands." Jesus prayed this psalm's words as he died on the cross.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 31
Before You Read
Who wrote it. David (31:1).
What it is. A prayer from someone surrounded by enemies, sick with grief, and abandoned by friends. He swings back and forth between fear and trust.
Why it matters. Jesus prayed verse 5 as he died on the cross: "Into Your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
When the church sings it. On Palm Sunday, and on other Sundays when we need a refuge.
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. My Rock and My Fortress | 31:1-8 | Into your hands I commit my spirit |
| 2. Like a Broken Vessel | 31:9-13 | Grief, loneliness, and fear |
| 3. My Times Are in Your Hands | 31:14-18 | But I trust in you |
| 4. Be Strong | 31:19-24 | How great is your goodness |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4My Rock and My Fortress
"In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame" (31:1).
"Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance" (31:2).
"For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name" (31:3).
"Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth" (31:5).
To commit is to hand something over for safekeeping.
God has seen his suffering and set his feet in open space.
Section 2 of 4Like a Broken Vessel
"Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress" (31:9).
His life is worn out with grief and groaning.
Even his friends avoid him in the street.
"I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel" (31:12).
A vessel is a clay jar. A broken one gets thrown away.
People whisper and plot against him. "There is terror on every side" (31:13).
Section 3 of 4My Times Are in Your Hands
"But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."" (31:14).
"My times are in Your hands" (31:15).
His whole life, past, present, and future, is held by God.
"Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion" (31:16).
Section 4 of 4Be Strong
"How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You" (31:19).
God showed his love to him in a city under attack.
He had thought, "I am cut off from your sight!" But God heard him.
"Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD" (31:24).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "My rock and my fortress" (31:3) | God is a safe, strong place. |
| "Into Your hands I commit my spirit" (31:5) | I trust God with my life, and my death. |
| "I am like a broken vessel" (31:12) | I feel useless and forgotten. |
| "Terror on every side" (31:13) | Danger everywhere I look. |
| "My times are in Your hands" (31:15) | God holds every part of my life. |
| "Be strong and courageous" (31:24) | Take heart, because God is faithful. |
Back Then
Jeremiah used the same phrase, "terror on every side" (Jeremiah 20:10).
Jewish children were taught to pray verse 5 at bedtime. Jesus prayed it as he died.
Literal Reader Alert
Did David hate people? In verse 6 he says he hates those who cling to idols. He means he rejects false gods, and trusts only the LORD.
Can I pray this if I'm not in danger? Yes. Many Christians pray verse 5 every night before sleep, trusting God with the night.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| David | Grieving | His life is consumed with grief (31:10) |
| David | Forgotten | Like a broken jar (31:12) |
| David | Trusting | His times are in God's hands (31:15) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Where are you today? Tap one.
I'm scared
God is your rock and fortress.
I feel forgotten
God has seen your affliction and known your anguish.
I'm facing something unknown
Your times are in his hands.
I'm going to sleep
Pray it: "Into Your hands I commit my spirit."
You Might Have Heard
"Real faith never wavers."
What's true: Faith trusts God.
What the passage is mainly about: David's faith wavered. He felt broken, forgotten, and cut off from God. But again and again he said, "But I trust in You, O LORD" (31:14). Faith is turning back to God.
Where Jesus is: On the cross, he prayed, "Into Your hands I commit my spirit." He trusted the Father even in death, and the Father raised him.
Good News
Your life is in safe hands.
"My times are in Your hands" (31:15).
Jesus prayed this psalm as he died. Because he rose, we can hand our lives, and our deaths, to the Father.
David was grieving, forgotten, and surrounded, but he trusted God: "Into Your hands I commit my spirit." Jesus prayed those words on the cross. Our times are in God's hands.
Big Idea
In grief and fear, David trusted God: "Into Your hands I commit my spirit. My times are in Your hands." Jesus prayed these words on the cross.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther's Evening Prayer in the Small Catechism ends: "Into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things."
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 31 on Palm Sunday in all three years, the Fifth Sunday of Easter in Year A, and on Good Friday.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
My times are in Your hands
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany Year APsalm, Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24
- Palm Sunday Year A · Year B · Year CPsalm, Psalm 31:9-16
- Fifth Sunday of Easter Year APsalm, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
- Lectionary 9 Year APsalm, Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 31, explained in plain words. A prayer from someone grieving and forgotten, which Jesus prayed on the cross. About 7 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-31/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church