Holy Week · Good Friday · Year B
Psalm 31:2+6, 12-13, 15-16, 17+25 (Luke 23:46)
Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit
March 26, 2027

Overview & Insights
“Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5)
Psalm 31 is an individual lament.[1] The lament proper is found in 31:10–13, where the psalmist complains about his crisis, which, judging from the anatomical language of 31:9–10, was an illness, interpreted by his enemies as God’s ill favor. In view of the declaration of trust in the Lord (31:6, 14), the attestation of his deliverance (31:7–8, 21–22), and the affirmation of God’s goodness as the basis of his trust (31:19), it could be considered an individual psalm of trust.[2] Yet, it is not unusual that trust is an integral part of lament. The unity of the psalm has been disputed because of the repetitious nature of the content and the awkward transition between 31:18 and 19.
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Commentary
Psalm 31 – Trusting the God of Refuge in Deep Trouble Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through David's prayer of trust in distress, including the verse Jesus prays from the cross, into your hands I commit my spirit.
Psalm 31 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic and modern commentators verse by verse on this psalm of refuge and surrender.
Commentary on Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 Working Preacher
James Limburg notes how verse 5 became Jesus' dying prayer, an RCL commentary on the overlapping verses used in the Good Friday response.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
How is Psalm 31 a Passion psalm?
The psalmist, scorned by enemies and poured out like water, entrusts himself entirely to God with the very words Jesus speaks from the cross.
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