EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
Psalms 31:5
"Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth."
I suppose, by the stovepipe's parting and completely filling my room with smoke and gas at bedtime, and my sleeping there without proper ventilation. I did not, at the time, suppose smoke was so unwholesome, nor consider that the impure gas which generated from the wood and coal was mingled with it. I awoke with such a sense of suffocation that I could not breathe lying down, and spent the remainder of the night sitting up. I never before knew the dreadful feeling of stifling sensations. I began to fear I should never sleep again. I therefore resigned myself into the hands of God for life or death, entreating him to spare me if he had any further need of me in his vineyard; otherwise I had no wish to live. I felt entirely reconciled to the hand of God upon me. But I also felt that satanic influences must be resisted. I therefore bade Satan get behind me and away from me, and told the Lord that I would not turn my hand over to choose either life or death, but that I would refer it impli…
EGW's statement of resigning herself into God's hands for life or death echoes the sentiment of committing one's spirit into God's hand as expressed in Psalm 31:5.
Psalms 31:9
"Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly."
"My nervous system was prostrated, and my hand trembled so that I made but little progress in writing, and could get no further than the simple copies in coarse hand. As I endeavored to bend my mind to my studies, the letters on the page would run together, great drops of perspiration would stand upon my brow, and a faintness and dizziness would seize me. I had a bad cough, and my whole system seemed debilitated. My teachers advised me to leave school and not pursue my studies further till my health should improve. It was the hardest struggle of my young life to yield to my feebleness and decide that I must leave my studies and give up the hope of gaining an education. 1T 13.1"
The EGW passage describes her physical and mental distress, including physical symptoms like perspiration and dizziness. This aligns with the Psalmist's plea for mercy due to trouble and physical suffering in Psalms 31:9. The connection is thematic, reflecting a state of distress.
Psalms 31:10
"For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed."
"My nervous system was prostrated, and my hand trembled so that I made but little progress in writing, and could get no farther than the simple copies in coarse hand. As I endeavored to bend my mind to my studies, the letters in the page would run together, great drops of perspiration would stand upon my brow, and a faintness and dizziness would seize me. I had a bad cough, and my whole system seemed debilitated. LS 19.1"
Both passages describe physical weakness and suffering. The EGW passage details nervous system issues and physical debilitation, while the Psalm speaks of grief, sighing, and failing strength. The connection is thematic and reasonably strong.
Psalms 31:12
"I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel."
"Physicians thought that a silver wire might be put in my nose to hold it in shape. This would have been very painful, and they feared it would be of little use, as I had lost so much blood and sustained such a nervous shock, that my recovery was very doubtful. Even if I revived, it was their opinion that I could live but a short time. I was reduced almost to a skeleton. 1T 11.1"
The EGW passage describes the author's physical deterioration and near-death state, which can be seen as a parallel to the Psalmist's description of being forgotten and like a broken vessel.
"The shock of my husband's death—so sudden, so unexpected—fell upon me with crushing weight. In my feeble condition I had summoned strength to remain at his bedside to the last, but when I saw his eyes closed in death, exhausted nature gave way, and I was completely prostrated. For some time I seemed balancing between life and death. The vital flame burned so low that a breath might extinguish it. At night my pulse would grow feeble, and my breathing fainter and fainter till it seemed about to cease. Only by the blessing of God and the unremitting care and watchfulness of physician and attendants was my life preserved. 1T 110.2"
Both passages describe a feeling of being overwhelmed and near death. The Psalm speaks of being forgotten and like a broken vessel, while EGW describes her prostration and feeling like her life was about to end. The thematic parallel lies in the sense of vulnerability and near-oblivion.
"When I again aroused to consciousness, it seemed to me that I had been asleep. I did not remember the accident, and was ignorant of the cause of my illness. A great cradle had been made for me, and in it I lay for many weeks. I was reduced almost to a skeleton. LS 18.2"
Both passages describe a state of being forgotten and likened to something broken or useless. The EGW passage describes a physical state of being bedridden and reduced, while the Psalm speaks of being forgotten. The connection is thematic, but not strong.
Psalms 31:13
"For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life."
"Grieved in spirit beyond measure, I remained at home, dreading to go anywhere among the church for fear of being wounded. Finally, as no one made an effort to relieve my feelings, I felt it to be my duty to call together a number of experienced brethren and sisters, and meet the reports which were circulating in regard to us. Weighed down and depressed, even to anguish, I met the charges against me, giving a recital of my journey east, one year since, and the painful circumstances attending that journey. 1T 580.2"
Both passages describe being the target of slander and facing fear due to the actions of others. EGW describes meeting reports circulating against her, while Psalm 31:13 speaks of hearing the slander of many and facing fear on every side.
Psalms 31:14
"But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God."
"minister to him in his last hours. There was a mystery and awfulness about the scene before him, from which his heart shrank. The severest trial was his separation from the people of his care and love—the people with whom his interest and his life had so long been united. But he had learned to trust in God, and with unquestioning faith he committed himself and his people to His love and mercy. PP 470.3"
Both passages express trust in God during a difficult and uncertain time. Moses' separation from his people and commitment to God's love and mercy echoes the sentiment of trusting in God as expressed in Psalm 31:14.
Psalms 31:24
"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."
"But while we do not accept their version of our case as the reason for our afflictions, while we maintain that God has appointed us to a more trying work than He has others, we acknowledge with humility of soul and with repentance that our faith and courage have been severely tried and that we have sometimes failed to trust wholly in Him who has appointed us our work. When we gather courage again, after sore disappointment and trials, we deeply regret that we ever distrusted God, gave way to human weaknesses, and permitted discouragement to cloud our faith and lessen our confidence in God. I have been shown that God's ancient servants suffered disappointments and discouragements as well as we poor mortals. We were in good company; nevertheless this did not excuse us. 3T 260.3"
Both passages address the experience of discouragement and the need for courage and hope in God. While not a direct quote, the EGW passage reflects the sentiment of finding strength in God during times of trial, as expressed in Psalm 31:24.