Psalms 25:17The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Oh bring me out of my distresses.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~1000 BC. David's troubles are literally 'widening' like flood waters rising around him. Perhaps written during Absalom's rebellion when his own son turned the nation against him, in what is now the Judean wilderness of Israel.
The emotion here: drowning in escalating crises while leading a nation
The original word
rachab (רָחַב) — to widen, enlarge, become spacious
Why it matters
David uses the same word for 'enlarged troubles' that God uses for 'enlarging territory' - his problems have their own geography now
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 25:17
David isn't asking God to shrink his problems - he's asking God to bring him OUT of the tight space they've created
Common misconceptionPeople think David wants God to make his life easier. But he's asking to be brought OUT, not asking for the troubles to disappear. He knows trouble is part of life.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 25:17
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 25:17 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 25:17 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 90% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include heartache, distress, plea for deliverance. Notable phrases: troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Psalms 25:17 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
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