Into your hand, I commit my spirit. You have redeemed me, YHWH, O faithful God” (Ps 31:6) : the purpose of Psalm 31 as a part of the cluster of Psalms 25-34 to exhort the in-group to faithful trust in YHWH

Abstract

Psalm 31 is characterised by a mixture of earnest supplications for help and thanksgiving for having been helped by YHWH. It also contains two of the most memorable declarations of trust in YHWH, with the psalmist entrusting his spirit and his time into the hand of YHWH. This article interprets the psalm as a composition on its own but also within the context of the cluster of Pss 25-34. It argues that the psalm is well-integrated into the cluster, functioning as an acknowledgement to YHWH for having rescued the psalmist from his distress and serving as proof that YHWH is faithful so that the psalmist could use his experience to exhort the in-group to replicate his trust in seeking refuge in YHWH. Although the cluster contains echoes of David’s military struggle with Saul, the primary conflict in the cluster relates to the ethical-moral battle between the humble, poor, righteous worshippers of YHWH and the arrogant, wicked people who tried to shame them in post-exilic Judah.