Psalms 31:15 Meaning and Explanation
“My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist surrenders control of his future to God and asks for deliverance from his persecutors.
The Context of Psalms 31:15
The psalmist surrenders his future to God and requests rescue from persecution.
What Does Psalms 31:15 Mean?
To place one's times—the span of life, the moment of death, the course of events—in God's hand is the ultimate relinquishment of control. The speaker is not saying that his life has no meaning or direction, but that its meaning and direction are determined by God's purpose, not by the speaker's plan or the enemies' schemes. This is freedom through surrender, security through giving up the illusion of control.
From this foundation of surrendered control comes the specific petition for deliverance. The speaker asks to be rescued from two forms of threat: the hand of enemies, suggesting capture or violence, and persistent persecution. Having acknowledged that his times are in God's hand, the speaker can make this request with confidence—he is asking the one who controls all events to act on his behalf. His vulnerability becomes the very ground of his petition.
Psalms 31:15 in the Original Language
et (עֵת), 'times' — moments, seasons, or periods of time; can refer to specific moments or the entire span of life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 31:15
What does Psalms 31:15 mean?
The psalmist surrenders control of his future to God and asks for deliverance from his persecutors.
What is the context of Psalms 31:15?
The psalmist surrenders his future to God and requests rescue from persecution.