Psalms 30:10

KJV

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H8085}, O LORD {H3068}, and have mercy {H2603} upon me: LORD {H3068}, be thou my helper {H5826}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hear me, ADONAI, and show me your favor! ADONAI, be my helper!"

Berean Standard Bible

Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy; O LORD, be my helper.”

American Standard Version

Hear, O Jehovah, and have mercy upon me: Jehovah, be thou my helper.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 30:10 captures a profound moment of desperate prayer from David, a heartfelt plea for divine intervention amidst severe distress. Situated within a psalm of thanksgiving, this verse serves as the pivotal turning point where the psalmist, having recounted his initial complacency and subsequent fall into affliction, cries out to the Lord for mercy and help, anticipating the miraculous deliverance that transforms his mourning into dancing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 30 is uniquely titled "A Psalm or Song at the dedication of the house of David," suggesting its use in a celebratory context, likely after a period of significant personal or national trial. The psalm opens with David's praise for deliverance (Ps 30:1-3) and a call for others to join in thanksgiving (Ps 30:4-5). However, the middle section, where Psalms 30:10 is found, shifts to a retrospective account of David's affliction. He acknowledges his past presumption and self-sufficiency (e.g., [Psalms 30:6-7](/psalms/30-6 "Psalms 30:6-7 - David's Presumption and Fall")), which led to God's withdrawal and his subsequent distress. Verse 10 represents the climax of his earnest prayer during that suffering, a direct appeal that precedes the dramatic turnaround described in [Psalms 30:11-12](/psalms/30-11 "Psalms 30:11-12 - From Mourning to Dancing"), where God transforms his sorrow into joy. This structure highlights the journey from complacency, through suffering and desperate prayer, to divine deliverance and exuberant thanksgiving.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the exact "house of David" being dedicated is debated (whether his palace, the future temple site, or even a metaphorical "house" representing his dynasty), the psalm clearly reflects a time of profound personal or national crisis, possibly a life-threatening illness or a severe military/political threat. In ancient Israel, illness and misfortune were often perceived as divine chastisement, prompting deep introspection and fervent prayer for restoration. The act of lamenting and crying out to God was a culturally accepted and expected response to suffering, rooted in the covenant relationship where God was understood as the ultimate healer and deliverer. David's plea for "mercy" and "help" aligns with the cultural understanding of a sovereign God who intervenes in human affairs, especially on behalf of His covenant people, demonstrating His faithfulness and compassion.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 30:10 powerfully encapsulates several enduring biblical themes. First, it exemplifies **Earnest Prayer in Distress**, showcasing a direct, humble, and urgent appeal to God when all other avenues fail. David's words are raw and unadorned, modeling a posture of complete reliance. Second, the verse highlights **Divine Mercy and Grace**, as David appeals not to his own merit but to God's inherent character of compassion and unmerited favor, particularly evident in the plea for "mercy" (Hebrew: *chanan*). Third, it underscores **God as the Ultimate Helper and Deliverer**, recognizing Him as the sole source of strength and aid in times of profound helplessness. The term "helper" (Hebrew: *ezer*) is a robust descriptor of God's active and powerful assistance. Finally, the verse profoundly illustrates **Human Dependence on God**, revealing that true faith involves acknowledging one's limitations and casting oneself entirely upon the Almighty for salvation and sustenance, a theme echoed throughout the [Book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shema'_):** This word signifies far more than mere auditory perception. When used in the context of prayer, *shema'* implies listening with attention, understanding the plea, and, crucially, responding with action. It is a request for God to not only perceive David's cry but to actively engage with his situation and intervene on his behalf. It reflects a deep trust that God is not distant or indifferent but intimately involved in the lives of His people.
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _chanan'_):** This term conveys the idea of showing favor, compassion, or grace, especially to one who is weak, helpless, or in need of unmerited kindness. It is a plea for God to act out of His benevolent character, not because David deserves it, but because God is inherently gracious and compassionate. It speaks to God's willingness to bend down and extend undeserved favor to His suffering servant.
* **Helper (Hebrew, _ezer'_):** This powerful word denotes strong, active, and effective assistance. It is frequently used in Scripture to describe God's aid to His people, emphasizing His unique ability to provide what is needed when human resources are exhausted. For instance, God is called Israel's "help" in [Deuteronomy 33:29](/deuteronomy/33-29 "Deuteronomy 33:29 - God as Israel's Shield and Helper"). In Psalms 30:10, it highlights God as the ultimate and sufficient source of deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear, O LORD":** This opening phrase is an urgent and direct address to God, characteristic of lament psalms. It is a cry for divine attention, an impassioned plea for God to turn His ear toward the psalmist's distress and acknowledge his suffering. It implies a desperate hope that God's awareness will lead to His intervention.
* **"and have mercy upon me":** Following the call to "hear," this clause specifies the nature of the desired divine response. David is not asking for justice or reward based on his merit, but for unmerited favor and compassion. It is an acknowledgment of his vulnerability and dependence on God's gracious character to alleviate his suffering, recognizing that his deliverance must come from God's benevolence alone.
* **"LORD, be thou my helper":** This final clause reiterates the direct address to God, reinforcing the psalmist's complete reliance on divine aid. It is a confession of human helplessness and a fervent affirmation of God as the sole, sufficient, and active source of assistance. This plea anticipates God's mighty hand providing deliverance, transforming the situation from despair to hope.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 30:10 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, the direct address to an absent or abstract entity, here, the "LORD." This immediate and personal address creates a sense of intimacy and urgency, drawing the reader directly into the psalmist's fervent prayer. The **Repetition** of "LORD" at the beginning and end of the verse emphasizes the singular focus of David's appeal and underscores God's supreme authority and sovereignty as the only one capable of providing the requested aid. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Synonymous Parallelism**, where "have mercy upon me" and "be thou my helper" express similar pleas for divine intervention, albeit from slightly different angles of God's character. "Mercy" highlights God's compassion, while "helper" emphasizes His active power. This parallelism reinforces the depth of David's need and the comprehensive nature of the divine assistance he seeks. The entire verse functions as a concise **Supplication** or **Petition**, a core element of the lament genre, articulating a specific request for God's saving action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 30:10 stands as a timeless testament to the biblical truth that God is both attentive to the cries of His people and inherently disposed to show mercy and provide help. This verse connects profoundly with the overarching narrative of God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that even in moments of perceived divine withdrawal or intense suffering, humble and earnest prayer can move the heart of God. It underscores the theological principle that human salvation, whether from physical distress or spiritual bondage, is ultimately an act of divine grace and intervention, not human merit. David's appeal to God's character as "merciful" and "helper" reflects a deep understanding of Yahweh as the compassionate Deliverer, a theme woven throughout redemptive history.

* [Psalms 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalms 18:6 - The Lord Hears My Cry")
* [Psalms 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalms 103:8 - The Lord is Merciful and Gracious")
* [Hebrews 13:6](/hebrews/13-6 "Hebrews 13:6 - The Lord is My Helper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 30:10 provides a profound and enduring model for believers navigating their own seasons of distress. David's raw honesty and direct appeal to God's character teach us the power and necessity of humble, fervent prayer. In our moments of deepest need, when human solutions fail and our own strength falters, this verse calls us to abandon pretense and cast ourselves entirely upon the Lord. It reminds us that our confidence in prayer is not rooted in our worthiness, but in God's unchanging nature as merciful and helpful. Just as David experienced a dramatic turnaround from mourning to dancing, we too can approach God with the expectation that He hears, He cares, and He will act according to His perfect will and timing. This verse encourages a posture of absolute dependence, fostering a deeper trust in God's sovereign care and His compassionate heart, knowing that our cries for mercy and help never go unheard.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently experiencing distress or helplessness, prompting a need to cry out to the Lord for mercy and help?**
* **How does understanding God's character as inherently merciful and helpful strengthen your resolve to pray directly and honestly in times of profound need?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a consistent posture of humble dependence on God, acknowledging Him as your ultimate source of aid, even when human solutions seem available?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the title "A Psalm or Song at the dedication of the house of David" for this verse?**

Answer: While the exact historical event is debated (whether it refers to the dedication of David's palace, the future temple site, or even a metaphorical "house" representing his dynasty), the title suggests that the psalm, including this verse, was ultimately used in a context of celebration and thanksgiving. This means that the desperate prayer in Psalms 30:10 was a retrospective cry, recalling a past period of intense suffering from which God had already delivered David. The title thus emphasizes the profound contrast between the past distress and the present joy. It highlights God's faithfulness in bringing His servant through trials to a place of rest and celebration, making the subsequent dedication and thanksgiving all the more meaningful and profound. It points to God's consistent character as one who hears and delivers His people, transforming their lament into praise.

**How does Psalms 30:10 relate to the broader theme of lament in the Psalms?**

Answer: Psalms 30:10 is a quintessential example of the petitionary element found within the genre of lament psalms. Laments typically follow a pattern: an address to God, a complaint about the suffering, a confession of trust, a petition (like "Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper"), and often a vow of praise for anticipated deliverance. This verse perfectly embodies the heart of the petition, demonstrating the psalmist's direct, humble, and urgent appeal to God for intervention. It showcases the raw vulnerability and complete reliance on God that is characteristic of lament, illustrating how the psalmist brings his deepest pain and need before the divine presence, trusting that God will respond to his cry. This pattern of honest prayer in distress, leading to divine deliverance and subsequent praise, is a foundational theme woven throughout the [Book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers of Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 30:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As the perfect Man, Jesus Himself embodied the posture of humble dependence and fervent prayer in distress, most notably in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He cried out to His Father in agony, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). In His suffering and death, Jesus became the ultimate demonstration of God's "mercy" and "help" for humanity. His sacrifice on the cross is the supreme act of divine compassion, addressing our deepest need for deliverance from sin and its consequences ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). Through Christ, God's promise to "hear" and "have mercy" is fully realized, as He has provided the way for us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we 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")). Jesus, our sympathetic High Priest, understands our weaknesses because He was tempted in every way, yet without sin, making Him our perfect "helper" in every trial ([Hebrews 2:18](/hebrews/2-18 "Hebrews 2:18 - Jesus Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Thus, David's cry for mercy and help echoes through the ages, ultimately pointing to the One through whom God's unfailing mercy and powerful help are eternally secured for all who believe.

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 54:4

¶ Behold, God [is] mine helper: the Lord [is] with them that uphold my soul.

Psalms 28:7

The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalms 143:7

¶ Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

Psalms 143:9

Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

Psalms 143:1

¶ A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness.

Psalms 51:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Psalms 51:2

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.