Psalms 25:6

KJV

Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they [have been] ever of old.

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {H2142}, O LORD {H3068}, thy tender mercies {H7356} and thy lovingkindnesses {H2617}; for they have been ever of old {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Remember your compassion and grace, ADONAI; for these are ages old.

Berean Standard Bible

Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and loving devotion, for they are from age to age.

American Standard Version

Remember, O Jehovah, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindness; For they have been ever of old.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 25:6 presents a fervent plea from David to the LORD, imploring Him to recall and act upon His inherent and timeless attributes of "tender mercies" and "lovingkindnesses." This verse serves as a foundational declaration that God's compassion and steadfast covenant faithfulness are not new or fleeting, but have existed "ever of old," providing an unwavering basis for hope and prayer in times of personal distress and confession. It anchors the petitioner's trust in the immutable character of God, rather than in human merit or transient circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 25 is a deeply personal and intricate prayer of lament, confession, and petition, traditionally attributed to David. Structurally, it is an acrostic psalm, with each verse (or pair of verses) generally beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, though this pattern is not perfectly maintained in all translations. Verse 6 is strategically placed within David's earnest pleas for divine guidance and instruction, immediately following his request for God to "show me thy ways" and "teach me thy paths" ([Psalms 25:4-5](/psalms/25-4-5 "Psalms 25:4-5 - David's Plea for Guidance and Instruction")). It precedes his confession of youthful sins and transgressions, where he asks, "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions" ([Psalms 25:7](/psalms/25-7 "Psalms 25:7 - David's Plea for Forgiveness")). Within this narrative flow, verse 6 serves as the theological bedrock for David's subsequent requests for forgiveness, deliverance, and instruction. It grounds his hope not in his own merit or righteousness, but in the unchanging, benevolent character of God Himself, setting the tone for a prayer that appeals to God's nature as the ultimate source of salvation and guidance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As a psalm of David, the historical backdrop for Psalm 25 could be a period of significant personal distress, perhaps related to the consequences of sin (such as the Bathsheba incident described in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba")) or persecution by enemies (a common theme in Davidic psalms, as seen in [Psalm 3](/psalms/3 "Psalm 3 - A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom")). The concepts of "tender mercies" (_rachamim_) and "lovingkindnesses" (_chesed_) were central to Israel's understanding of Yahweh, deeply rooted in the covenant relationship established at Sinai. The phrase "ever of old" points to God's consistent demonstration of these attributes throughout Israel's history, from the miraculous deliverance of the Exodus (e.g., [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Self-Revelation to Moses")) to His ongoing care for His people. Culturally, appealing to a deity's known character and past actions was a common form of petition in the ancient Near East, but here it is uniquely applied to the covenant faithfulness of the one true God, Yahweh, emphasizing His reliability and constancy.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes within Psalm 25 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Character as the Basis for Prayer**, demonstrating that David's confidence and petitions are rooted in who God is—His attributes of compassion and loyalty—rather than in David's own deservingness or performance. Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Steadfast Love and Covenant Loyalty (_Chesed_)**, portraying God as unfailingly committed to His promises and His people, a theme central to the entire Old Testament (e.g., [Psalm 36:5](/psalms/36-5 "Psalm 36:5 - God's Steadfast Love Reaches to the Heavens")). Thirdly, the verse underscores **God's Compassion and Pity (_Rachamim_)**, revealing a God who is deeply empathetic and responsive to human suffering and weakness, akin to a parent's love for a child. Finally, the phrase "ever of old" reinforces the **Timelessness and Immutability of God's Attributes**, assuring the worshiper that God's benevolent character is constant and reliable across all generations, providing a stable anchor for faith in an ever-changing world (e.g., [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - For I the LORD do not change")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** H2142. While literally meaning "to mark so as to be recognized" or "to recall," in this context, "remember" is an anthropomorphism. It does not imply that God literally forgets, but rather that David is fervently appealing for God to *act* in accordance with His inherent character and past demonstrations of faithfulness. It is a plea for God to bring His attributes to bear on David's present circumstances, to intervene actively and manifest His compassion and loyalty.
* **Tender mercies (Hebrew, _racham'_):** H7356. This word, often appearing in the plural (_rachamim_), is derived from a root related to the Hebrew word for "womb." It conveys a deep, visceral, and compassionate pity, akin to a mother's profound love and empathy for her child. It speaks to God's emotional, heartfelt response to suffering, weakness, and vulnerability, signifying a profound, nurturing compassion that stems from His very being.
* **Lovingkindnesses (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** H2617. This is one of the most significant theological terms in the Old Testament. _Chesed_ encompasses covenant loyalty, steadfast love, faithfulness, grace, and kindness. It describes God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His people, a loyal love that is demonstrated in action and is utterly reliable, forming the bedrock of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember, O LORD":** This is an urgent, direct imperative addressed to Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), the covenant God of Israel. It is an impassioned plea, not suggesting divine amnesia, but rather imploring God to actively engage with David's situation by manifesting His inherent qualities and acting on His ancient promises. It expresses David's profound trust that God's character is the ultimate basis for his hope and appeal.
* **"thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses":** This phrase identifies the specific divine attributes David is appealing to. "Tender mercies" (plural of _racham_) emphasizes the abundance and depth of God's compassionate heart, His visceral pity. "Lovingkindnesses" (plural of _chesed_) highlights the manifold and enduring nature of God's covenant loyalty and steadfast love. The pairing of these two terms presents a comprehensive picture of God's benevolent and faithful character, encompassing both His empathetic heart and His unwavering commitment.
* **"for they [have been] ever of old":** This clause provides the theological grounding and assurance for David's appeal. It affirms that God's compassion and faithfulness are not new or temporary, but are eternal, unchanging attributes of His being (H5769, _ʻôwlâm_). They have been consistently demonstrated throughout history, from the earliest times, confirming God's reliability and providing a stable foundation for present and future trust. This timeless quality assures the worshiper that God's benevolent character is constant and reliable across all generations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary techniques to enhance its meaning and impact. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "Remember, O LORD," which attributes the human action of remembering to God. This is not meant literally, but serves as a powerful rhetorical device to convey the urgency and earnestness of David's prayer, imploring God to act according to His known character. The pairing of "tender mercies" and "lovingkindnesses" demonstrates a form of **complementary parallelism**, where two distinct but related terms are used to describe the multifaceted nature of God's benevolent character. While not a strict synonymous parallelism, it creates a rich, comprehensive understanding of God's love, encompassing both His deep, visceral compassion and His unwavering covenant loyalty. Furthermore, the appeal to God's character as the basis for the petition is a form of **argument from divine attribute**, a common rhetorical strategy in biblical prayer where the petitioner appeals to God's nature, promises, or past actions as justification for their request, thereby strengthening the plea through theological reasoning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 25:6 provides a profound theological statement about the unchanging nature of God and the foundation of human prayer. It teaches that our hope and petitions are not based on our own fleeting worthiness or performance, but on the eternal, steadfast character of God Himself. The combination of _rachamim_ (visceral compassion) and _chesed_ (covenant loyalty) paints a holistic picture of a God who is both deeply empathetic to human suffering and utterly faithful to His promises. This "ever of old" quality assures the believer that God's past demonstrations of grace and deliverance are a reliable guarantee of His present and future benevolence, inviting a bold and trusting approach to the divine throne. This verse underscores that God's love is an intrinsic, immutable attribute of His being, providing an unshakable anchor for faith in a world of constant flux.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "God's Declaration of His Name and Attributes")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "The Lord's Mercies Never Come to an End")
* [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "The Lord is Merciful and Gracious")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 25:6 offers a powerful model for our own prayer lives and a deep wellspring of comfort. In moments of personal failure, overwhelming anxiety, or profound uncertainty, David teaches us to anchor our petitions not in our own merits or perceived righteousness, but in the immutable, eternal character of God. We are invited to "remind" God—not because He forgets, but because it profoundly shapes our own faith and understanding—of His ancient, steadfast mercies and loyalties. This verse encourages a theology of grace: our hope is not in what we *do* for God, but in who God *is* for us, eternally compassionate and faithful. It calls us to trust in a God whose love is not conditional on our performance but is an inherent, timeless attribute of His being, always available and unchanging. This truth frees us from the burden of earning God's favor and allows us to rest in His boundless grace, fostering a deep sense of security and gratitude in our relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does appealing to God's character, rather than our own merit, change the way we approach prayer and perceive God's willingness to respond?**
* **In what specific ways have you experienced God's "tender mercies" and "lovingkindnesses" in your own life, confirming their "ever of old" nature?**
* **How does the unchanging nature of God's love, as described in this verse, provide comfort and stability amidst the constant changes and uncertainties of life?**

### FAQ

**Does "Remember, O LORD" imply God forgets?**

Answer: No, the phrase "Remember, O LORD" is an anthropomorphism, a figure of speech that attributes human characteristics or actions to God. It does not imply that God is forgetful or that His memory needs jogging. Instead, it is a fervent and urgent plea from the psalmist for God to *act* in accordance with His known character and His past demonstrations of faithfulness. It's an appeal for God to bring His attributes of compassion and loyalty to bear on the current situation, to intervene actively and manifest His benevolent nature. The Bible often uses such language to express the intensity of human prayer and the expectation that God will respond according to His promises and His unchanging nature (e.g., [Genesis 8:1](/genesis/8-1 "God Remembers Noah")).

**What is the significance of "ever of old"?**

Answer: The phrase "ever of old" (Hebrew: _ʻôwlâm_) underscores the eternal, unchanging, and historically consistent nature of God's attributes. It means that God's tender mercies and lovingkindnesses are not recent developments, temporary emotions, or conditional responses. Rather, they are foundational to His very being and have been consistently demonstrated throughout all of history, from creation to the establishment of His covenant with Israel, and into the present. This timeless quality provides a strong theological and historical basis for trust, assuring the petitioner that what God has been, He remains, and therefore His character is utterly reliable and constant across all generations (e.g., [Psalm 90:2](/psalms/90-2 "From Everlasting to Everlasting, You Are God")). It assures the believer that God's character is a stable and trustworthy anchor for faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 25:6, with its profound appeal to God's ancient mercies and lovingkindnesses, finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "tender mercies" (_rachamim_) of God are perfectly embodied in Christ's deep compassion for humanity, evident in His healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and embracing the marginalized and the lost (e.g., [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). His tears at Lazarus's tomb (e.g., [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "Jesus Wept")) and His willingness to associate with sinners (e.g., [Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1-2 "Jesus Welcomes Sinners")) are powerful demonstrations of this visceral, empathetic love. Furthermore, God's "lovingkindnesses" (_chesed_), His steadfast covenant loyalty, are supremely demonstrated in Christ's life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. The New Covenant, established through His blood, is the ultimate expression of God's unwavering commitment to His people, a faithfulness that was "ever of old" in God's eternal plan but fully unveiled and actualized in the Incarnation (e.g., [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Own Love for Us")). Jesus is the visible manifestation of the invisible God, the one through whom God's ancient mercies and loyalties are not just remembered, but actively, redemptively, and eternally applied to humanity, assuring us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever")). Through Him, we experience the fullness of God's enduring compassion and covenant faithfulness.

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

Colossians 3:12

¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Psalms 103:17

But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Luke 1:50

And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Luke 1:78

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

Jeremiah 33:11

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

Micah 7:18

Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

Micah 7:20

Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.