Probably for 1,500 years, devout Christians have ended our days with a final prayer before falling asleep. It’s from Psalm 31, the psalm that Jesus prayed to Himself as He hung on the cross.

To Himself, that is, until the last lines. Then, Jesus said out loud, as some of the disciples remembered: Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  When he had said this, he breathed his last  (Lk 23:46; Ps 31:46).

Either the disciples, who were very close or at least nearby, did not hear or remember, or Jesus did not say it out loud. But He certainly intended and believed the last line: You will redeem me, Lord, God of truth.”

This makes the psalm a hymn of hope and of complete trust in the power and love of God.  It certainly began that way: In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me (Ps.31:1).

And that’s why we tend to remember Jesus saying its ending as He breathed His last, as we say it and fall asleep–with the Lord.