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Psalm 118:5
Out of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom.
3Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.
4Now let those who fear the LORD say that his loving kindness endures forever.
5Out of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom.
6The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7The LORD is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
Notice
“Distress” and “freedom” mark the distance between the speaker’s cry and YHWH’s answer, leaving room to consider both need and remembered relief.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What distress, if any, would you name in a prayer shaped by this verse?
Write on thisWhen have you experienced an answer to prayer that you would describe as freedom?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Luke 11:9“I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.Jesus tells his hearers to keep asking; the psalm recounts a call to the LORD that received an answer.
Psalm 18:19He brought me out also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.Both describe God bringing relief, with freedom in Psalm 118 and a large place in Psalm 18.
Psalm 18:6In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry before him came into his ears.Both speakers call on the LORD from distress and recount that their cry reached him.
Psalm 120:1A Song of Ascents. In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.Both verses recount the same movement: distress, a cry to the LORD, and his answer.
Psalm 107:19Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he saves them out of their distresses.Both describe people crying to the LORD in trouble and receiving deliverance from their distress.
1 Samuel 30:6–8David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his …David strengthens himself in the LORD amid distress, while the psalm’s speaker calls on the LORD from distress.
Mark 14:31–36But he spoke all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said the same thing.The link is slight: Mark’s speaker pledges loyalty even facing death, while the psalm’s speaker recounts distress and answered prayer.
Job 36:16Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a wide place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.The psalm’s freedom resembles the wide place described in Job, where distress gives way to room without restriction.
James 5:13Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises.James directs those who suffer to pray; the psalm recounts someone doing so from distress.
Genesis 32:7Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, along with the flocks, the herds, and the camels, into two companies.Both name distress; Genesis describes Jacob dividing his company in fear, while the psalm describes calling on the LORD.
Isaiah 58:9Then you will call, and the LORD will answer. You will cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away from among you the yoke, finger pointing, …Both pair calling on the LORD with his answer; Isaiah also names wrongdoing that must be removed.
1 Samuel 1:27I prayed for this child, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of him.Both speakers recount answered prayer: one received the child requested, and the other received freedom from distress.
Where this verse fits
Anxiety or panic. answered prayer. gratitude.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
You do not have to wait for relief before calling on God. The speaker cried from distress, and YHWH answered with freedom.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).