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Psalm 31:2+6, 12-13, 15-16, 17+25 (Luke 23:46)

Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit

Elijah in the Wilderness, Frederic Leighton
Elijah in the Wilderness, Frederic Leighton, 1877-1878Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool · public domain

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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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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