Psalms 119:132

KJV

¶ Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

KJV (with Strong's)

Look {H6437} thou upon me, and be merciful {H2603} unto me, as thou usest {H4941} to do unto those that love {H157} thy name {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Turn to me, and show me your favor; in keeping with [your] judgment for those who love your name.

Berean Standard Bible

Turn to me and show me mercy, as You do to those who love Your name.

American Standard Version

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:132 presents a deeply personal and urgent prayer from the psalmist, appealing to God for a compassionate and favorable gaze and for the bestowal of mercy. The plea is grounded not in the psalmist's merit, but in God's consistent and historical pattern of extending grace to those who genuinely love and revere His divine character and revealed will. This verse thus encapsulates a profound trust in God's unchanging nature and His benevolent disposition towards His faithful covenant people, serving as an enduring model for all who seek divine grace based on God's established faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an intricately structured acrostic poem where each of its 22 sections corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet and contains eight verses. It is an expansive meditation on the beauty, wisdom, and life-giving power of God's law (Torah), employing various synonyms such as statutes, precepts, commandments, and testimonies. Verse 132 is located within the 'Pe' section (verses 129-136), a segment characterized by the psalmist's fervent love for God's testimonies, his distress over the actions of the wicked, and his earnest pleas for divine intervention and preservation. Throughout this section, the psalmist expresses a deep yearning for God's presence and protection, often feeling overwhelmed by adversaries yet continually turning to God's word as his source of comfort and hope, as seen in his longing for God's salvation in [Psalms 119:123](/psalms/119-123 "Psalms 119:123 - My eyes fail for Your salvation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalmist, likely an individual deeply committed to the Mosaic Law, lived within a covenant community where God's revealed word was central to national and individual identity. The plea to "look upon me" resonates with ancient Near Eastern cultural contexts where a king's favorable gaze signified approval, protection, and provision. Conversely, turning one's face away indicated displeasure or abandonment. The concept of "loving God's name" was not merely an emotional sentiment but a profound commitment to His revealed character, attributes, and covenant promises, foundational to Israel's relationship with Yahweh. This understanding of God's "name" as His very essence is crucial, reflecting the covenant established at Sinai and reiterated throughout Israel's history, where God's name was invoked in blessings and oaths, as exemplified in the priestly blessing of [Numbers 6:24-26](/numbers/6-24-26 "Numbers 6:24-26 - The Priestly Blessing").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout Psalms 119 and indeed, the entire Psalter. It underscores the theme of **Divine Mercy and Grace**, presenting God as the ultimate source of unmerited favor, a compassionate sovereign who responds to the cries of His people. The psalmist's appeal is rooted in the **Faithfulness of God's Character**, emphasizing that God acts consistently according to His nature and His established patterns of interaction with those who honor Him. This consistency forms the basis of the psalmist's confidence in prayer. Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of **True Devotion and Obedience**, defining the recipients of God's special mercy as "those that love thy name." This phrase signifies a holistic commitment—not just intellectual assent but a life lived in reverence, obedience, and alignment with God's revealed will, echoing the principles found in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord Your God"). The psalmist's distress and reliance on God's word for deliverance are recurring motifs, reinforcing the idea that God's compassion is extended to those who faithfully seek Him amidst adversity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Look (Hebrew, _pânâh'_):** From H6437, this word means "to turn," implying "to face" or "to appear." In this context, it is a plea for God to turn His face towards the psalmist with active, favorable regard, attention, and concern. It suggests a divine acknowledgment that leads to intervention and blessing, similar to the concept of God "seeing" the affliction of His people in [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Hears the Cry of His People"). It signifies a turning of divine attention that results in positive action.
* **Merciful (Hebrew, _chânan'_):** From H2603, this word means "to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior," "to favor," or "to bestow." It refers to a spontaneous, unearned kindness or compassion that flows from a superior to an inferior. It emphasizes God's benevolence and generosity, highlighting that the mercy sought is not based on the psalmist's merit but on God's inherent nature to bestow grace and respond to petition.
* **Love thy name (Hebrew, _ʼâhab shêm'_):** From H157 (`ʼâhab`) and H8034 (`shêm`), this phrase is profoundly significant. To "love" (`ʼâhab`) is to have deep affection for, while "name" (`shêm`) represents the essence, character, reputation, and authority of a person. Therefore, to "love God's name" is to love who God is in His totality—His attributes, His holiness, His covenant faithfulness, and His revealed will. It signifies a deep reverence and devotion to God's very being, expressed through obedience and a desire to uphold His honor and character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Look thou upon me":** This is a direct, urgent, and intimate plea for God's divine attention. The psalmist desires not just to be seen, but to be acknowledged with a favorable and compassionate gaze. It implies a longing for God's personal, active involvement in his situation, a turning of God's face towards him in approval and care, akin to the blessing in [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing"). The use of the imperative "Look" underscores the psalmist's earnestness and dependence.
* **"and be merciful unto me":** Following the request for divine attention, this clause is a direct petition for God's grace and compassion. It is a humble acknowledgment of human need and an appeal to God's inherent nature as a gracious and benevolent God. The psalmist seeks unearned favor, recognizing that any help received would be a demonstration of God's spontaneous kindness and unmerited favor, flowing from His very character.
* **"as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name":** This crucial clause provides the theological and historical basis for the psalmist's bold request. It is an appeal to God's consistent character and His established pattern of interaction with His faithful followers. The psalmist is not asking for something new or exceptional, but for God to act according to His unchanging nature and His historical demonstration of kindness, care, and covenant faithfulness towards those who genuinely revere, obey, and are devoted to Him. This phrase anchors the plea in God's reliability and His covenant promises, not the psalmist's personal worthiness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:132 employs several literary devices to enhance its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or personified entity, as the psalmist speaks directly to God ("Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me"). This creates an intimate and personal tone, emphasizing the direct relationship between the supplicant and the divine. A **Simile** is evident in the phrase "as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name," which compares the desired mercy to God's consistent, historical actions towards His devoted people. This comparison grounds the plea in God's reliable character and past faithfulness. Furthermore, the phrase "Look thou upon me" can be seen as an **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (eyes, the act of looking) to God, making the divine more relatable and comprehensible to the human experience. Finally, "thy name" functions as a **Metonymy**, where "name" stands in for God's entire being, character, reputation, and authority, signifying the psalmist's deep reverence for who God is in His essence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully articulates the profound theological truth that God's mercy is not arbitrary but flows from His unchanging character and His covenant faithfulness. The psalmist's confidence is rooted in God's established pattern of grace towards those who genuinely love Him. This "love" is not a mere sentiment but a deep reverence and commitment to God's revealed will and character, which manifests in obedience and devotion. The plea for mercy is thus a recognition of human dependence on divine benevolence, appealing to God's consistent nature as a compassionate deliverer. It highlights the reciprocal relationship where God's grace is extended to those whose hearts are aligned with His, demonstrating that while salvation is by grace, it is received by faith that expresses itself in love for God's name. This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring compassion and His faithfulness to His covenant people through all generations.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Character Revealed")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Unfailing Mercies")
* [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - God's Face Shine Upon You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:132 offers a timeless model for prayer and a profound insight into the nature of our relationship with God. It encourages believers to approach God with a bold yet humble confidence, not presuming upon His grace, but appealing to His well-established character as a merciful and faithful God. In moments of personal distress, spiritual yearning, or when facing opposition, we are invited to lay our needs before the Lord, trusting that He will "look upon" us with favorable regard and extend His unmerited compassion. This verse also serves as a crucial reminder that genuine love for God is not merely an emotional feeling but a deep reverence for His "name"—His entire being, character, and revealed will. Such love is demonstrated through a life of obedience, devotion, and a desire to honor Him in all things. Our reliance on God's grace should be unwavering, knowing that His mercies are constant and His faithfulness extends to all who sincerely seek Him and strive to live according to His precepts. This prayer invites us to align our desires with God's character, asking Him to act in a way that is consistent with His revealed nature and His historical dealings with His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you most need God to "look upon" you with mercy today?**
* **How does understanding God's consistent character ("as thou usest to do") bolster your confidence in prayer?**
* **What does it practically mean for you to "love God's name" in your daily life, beyond mere sentiment?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on God's unmerited grace, rather than on your own efforts or perceived worthiness?**

### FAQ
**What does "love thy name" truly signify in this context, and how is it demonstrated?**

Answer: In biblical thought, a "name" (Hebrew: *shem*) represents the very essence, character, authority, and reputation of a person. Therefore, to "love God's name" is to love who God is in His totality—His attributes of holiness, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and power. It signifies a profound reverence and devotion to His revealed being. This love is not merely an emotional sentiment but a deep, abiding commitment that manifests in practical ways. It is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments")), trust in His promises ([Psalms 9:10](/psalms/9-10 "Psalms 9:10 - Those who know your name trust in you")), and a desire to honor His character in all aspects of one's life. It means valuing God's glory above all else and striving to live in a way that brings Him honor and reflects His nature to the world, recognizing that His name is worthy of all praise and devotion ([Psalms 29:2](/psalms/29-2 "Psalms 29:2 - Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The psalmist's plea in Psalms 119:132 for God to "look upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the psalmist appealed to God's historical pattern of mercy, Christ is the very embodiment and ultimate revelation of God's mercy and grace. In Jesus, God truly "looked upon" humanity with compassion, not merely observing our plight but actively entering into it through the Incarnation ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the visible image of the invisible God, and in His face, we see the light of the knowledge of the glory of God ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ")). Furthermore, the "those that love thy name" are now, preeminently, those who love and trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments")), and promised that those who love Him will be loved by the Father ([John 14:21](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, God's mercy is poured out abundantly, allowing believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that they will receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Thus, the psalmist's earnest prayer is not just a historical longing but a prophetic anticipation fully realized in the person and redemptive work of our compassionate Savior, Jesus Christ, who perfectly revealed the Father's name and nature ([John 17:6](/john/17-6 "John 17:6 - I have manifested Your name")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 119:124

¶ Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

Psalms 106:4

Remember me, O LORD, with the favour [that thou bearest unto] thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

Psalms 25:16

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I [am] desolate and afflicted.

Psalms 25:18

Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

2 Samuel 16:12

It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

2 Thessalonians 1:6

Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;