Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
Verse 2Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
Verse 3You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
Verse 4take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
Verse 5Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Verse 19O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
Verse 20In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
Verse 21Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
Verse 22I had said in my alarm, "I am driven far from your sight." But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.
Verse 23Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
Verse 24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.
Devotion
The last words of Jesus on earth are written in Psalm 31:5 — “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” In fact, all seven words that Jesus spoke from the cross he learned in Hebrew school! When Jesus was tempted after his 40 days in the wilderness, he responded with language from his scripture studies! What we learn here is that God will give us God’s language for all our trials and temptations and transitions. Every time you seed a scripture or a hymn verse or God’s wisdom in your heart, God will flower it when you need it most.
Today’s word, Psalm 31:5, “Into thy hands I commit my spirit,” is my first prayer of the day and my last blessing of the day. I have this verse on my prayer kneeler beside my bed for my rising up and my lying down.
Prayer
Let us sing our prayer (to the tune of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”): Holy Father, in your hands! Holy Jesus, in your hands; Holy Spirit in your hands – I place my whole life in your hands! Amen.