Into Your Hand I Commit
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
Hunted and whispered about until neighbors avoid him in the street, David feels forgotten like a broken pot. Still he says his times are in his Father's hand and commits his spirit there, remembering being heard once in a city under siege.
31 1In you, my Father, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness rescue me. 2Turn your ear to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. 3For you are my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake you lead me and guide me. 4You free me from the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, my Father, faithful and true. a a v5 Jesus prayed these words as he died — "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46) — entrusting himself to the Father this psalm trusts. 6I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but I trust in my Father. 7I will rejoice and be glad in your covenant love, for you have seen my affliction; you have known the troubles of my soul, 8and you have not handed me over to the enemy; you have set my feet in a spacious place. 9Be gracious to me, my Father, for I am in distress; my eyes are worn out with grief, my soul and my body as well. 10For my life is consumed with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my sin, and my bones waste away. 11Because of all my enemies I have become a disgrace, especially to my neighbors, and a terror to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. 12I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I have become like a broken pot.
13For I hear the whispering of many—terror on every side—as they conspire together against me, scheming to take my life. 14But I trust in you, my Father; I say, "You are my Father." 15My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors. 16Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your covenant love. 17My Father, let me not be put to shame, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame and silenced in the grave.
18Let the lying lips be silenced, which speak arrogantly against the righteous with pride and contempt. 19How abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you have shown to those who take refuge in you, for all to see.
20In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the schemes of men; you keep them safe in your shelter from slanderous tongues. 21Blessed be my Father, for he has shown me his wondrous covenant love when I was in a city under siege.
22I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from before your eyes." But you heard my cry for mercy when I called out to you for help. 23Love our Father, all you his faithful ones. Our Father guards the faithful, but he fully repays the one who acts in pride. 24Be strong, and take courage, all you who wait for our Father.
