Psalms 31:16

KJV

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

KJV (with Strong's)

Make thy face {H6440} to shine {H215} upon thy servant {H5650}: save {H3467} me for thy mercies {H2617}' sake.

Complete Jewish Bible

Make your face shine on your servant; in your grace, save me.

Berean Standard Bible

Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.

American Standard Version

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: Save me in thy lovingkindness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 31:16 presents a profound and heartfelt plea from the psalmist, likely David, for God's active presence and saving intervention. Amidst deep distress and overwhelming circumstances, the psalmist appeals for God's benevolent favor to shine upon him as a servant, grounding his desperate cry for salvation not in his own merit, but entirely in the boundless and unwavering mercies of God. This verse beautifully encapsulates a blend of human vulnerability and unwavering trust in divine faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 31 is a rich lament that transitions from expressions of profound trust in God (vv. 1-8) to a vivid portrayal of the psalmist's intense suffering, isolation, and persecution by enemies (vv. 9-13). Following this outpouring of distress, verse 16 marks a pivotal return to confident petition, rooted in a renewed declaration of trust in [Psalm 31:14-15](/psalms/31-14 "Psalm 31:14-15 - David's Declaration of Trust"). The psalmist reasserts his identity as God's servant and appeals directly for divine favor and rescue, demonstrating a resilient faith that anchors itself in God's character even in the darkest moments. This verse serves as a direct, personal appeal for the active manifestation of God's covenant love.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical backdrop for Psalm 31 is not explicitly stated, its themes of persecution, betrayal, and reliance on God's deliverance strongly align with various periods in King David's life, such as his flight from Saul or the rebellion of Absalom. Culturally, the imagery of God's "face shining" is deeply significant. It echoes ancient Near Eastern concepts of a monarch's benevolent gaze bestowing favor, and more specifically, it directly alludes to the priestly blessing found in [Numbers 6:24-26](/numbers/6-24 "Numbers 6:24-26 - The Priestly Blessing"), which invoked God's light, favor, and peace upon His people. The term "servant" (Hebrew: `eved`) was a common self-designation for individuals in a covenant relationship with God, implying both humble submission and privileged access to the divine.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational biblical themes. The petition "Make thy face to shine upon thy servant" highlights the theme of **Divine Presence and Favor**, signifying a desperate longing for God's active, benevolent gaze to dispel the darkness of distress and bring comfort, guidance, and approval. The urgent cry "save me" underscores the theme of **Sovereign Deliverance**, emphasizing God's ultimate power and willingness to rescue His people from physical dangers, emotional despair, and the schemes of adversaries. Crucially, the phrase "for thy mercies' sake" introduces the profound theme of **God's Steadfast Love (Hesed)**, revealing that the psalmist's hope for salvation is not based on his own merit or righteousness, but solely on God's unchanging character—His abundant compassion, covenant loyalty, and unfailing kindness. This reliance on God's `hesed` is a recurring motif in the Psalms, as seen in [Psalm 51:1](/psalms/51-1 "Psalm 51:1 - A Prayer for Mercy"), and forms the bedrock of all genuine faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **face (Hebrew, _panim'_):** In this context, "face" is a metonymy for God's presence, disposition, or benevolent regard. When God's "face shines," it signifies His favor, approval, and active blessing, bringing light, comfort, and peace to the one He looks upon. It contrasts with God "hiding His face," which implies displeasure or abandonment.
* **shine (Hebrew, _'or'_):** This verb means to give light, to illuminate, or to be bright. When applied to God's face, it conveys the idea of dispelling darkness, bringing clarity, comfort, and the warmth of divine approval. It is an active, radiant manifestation of God's presence.
* **mercies (Hebrew, _chesed'_):** This is a rich theological term that denotes God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, unfailing kindness, and compassionate faithfulness. It is not merely pity but a loyal, active love that God demonstrates towards His covenant people, especially in times of their need. It is the foundational attribute upon which the psalmist bases his plea, recognizing God's character as the ultimate source of hope and deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Make thy face to shine upon thy servant":** This is a profound and deeply personal petition for God's active, benevolent presence and favor. It is a request for God to look upon the psalmist with approval, to illuminate his path, and to grant him peace and blessing, echoing the ancient priestly blessing from [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing"). It signifies a desire for God's light to dispel the darkness of distress and bring comfort and guidance.
* **"save me":** A direct, urgent, and comprehensive plea for deliverance. This "salvation" is holistic, encompassing rescue from physical dangers, emotional despair, and the schemes of enemies. It highlights the psalmist's utter dependence on God for intervention in overwhelming circumstances, acknowledging that only God possesses the power to truly rescue him.
* **"for thy mercies' sake":** This crucial phrase provides the theological grounding for the entire petition. The psalmist appeals not to his own righteousness, worthiness, or deeds, but solely to God's inherent character—His abundant, unfailing, covenantal love and compassion. This emphasizes grace as the sole basis for divine action and intervention, demonstrating a deep understanding of God's nature as revealed throughout Scripture.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 31:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The phrase "Make thy face to shine upon thy servant" is a powerful **metaphor** for God's benevolent presence and favor, likening His disposition to radiant light that dispels darkness and brings blessing. This specific imagery also functions as a clear **allusion** to the Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6, invoking its profound connotations of divine peace and protection. The plea "save me" uses **holistic language**, encompassing deliverance from all forms of distress—physical, emotional, and spiritual—rather than limiting the scope of salvation. Finally, the concluding phrase "for thy mercies' sake" is a direct **appeal to divine character**, grounding the psalmist's petition not in his own merit, but in God's immutable and unfailing `chesed` (steadfast love), thereby highlighting the theological principle of grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates the very essence of biblical prayer: a desperate cry for help rooted in unwavering trust in God's character. It highlights God's active involvement in the lives of His people, His willingness to hear and respond based on His own nature, not on human deservingness. The psalmist's appeal to God's "mercies" (`chesed`) underscores the foundational truth that salvation, favor, and deliverance are always gifts of divine grace, flowing from God's covenant faithfulness rather than human performance. It reminds us that even in our deepest struggles, we can confidently approach our sovereign God as His servants, relying on His unfailing compassion for salvation and peace.

* [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Lord Make His Face Shine Upon You")
* [Psalm 67:1](/psalms/67-1 "Psalm 67:1 - God Be Merciful to Us and Bless Us")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord, The Lord, a God Merciful and Gracious")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 31:16 offers a timeless model for prayer in times of personal crisis, spiritual need, or overwhelming opposition. It encourages believers to bring their full distress and vulnerability before God, without pretense, yet with profound confidence in His character. It teaches us to earnestly desire God's active presence and favor, recognizing that His light alone can dispel any darkness, confusion, or despair we face. Furthermore, it powerfully instructs us to anchor our hope and petitions not in our own worthiness or perceived righteousness, but solely in the boundless mercy and steadfast love of God, knowing that His compassion is unfailing and His covenant faithfulness is eternal. This verse reminds us that true peace and deliverance come from resting in God's grace, allowing His shining face to illuminate our path even when circumstances seem bleak.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you currently feel a deep need for God's face to shine upon you, bringing clarity, comfort, or guidance?**
* **How does understanding God's "mercies" (His `chesed`) impact your confidence and approach to prayer during your most challenging times?**
* **Beyond physical safety, what forms of "salvation" or deliverance are you currently seeking from the Lord, and how does this verse encourage you in that pursuit?**

### FAQ
**What does "make thy face to shine" mean biblically?**

Answer: Biblically, "make thy face to shine" is a profound metaphor for God's benevolent presence, favor, and active blessing. It implies His approval, guidance, protection, and the dispelling of darkness or distress. It directly echoes the priestly blessing found in [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing"), which invokes God's light, grace, and peace upon His people. When God's face shines upon someone, it signifies His positive disposition towards them, bringing comfort, prosperity, and a sense of His nearness.

**Why does the psalmist appeal to "thy mercies' sake" rather than his own righteousness?**

Answer: The psalmist appeals to "thy mercies' sake" (Hebrew: `chesed`) to highlight a core theological truth: human salvation and divine intervention are rooted entirely in God's character, not in human merit or righteousness. The word `chesed` signifies God's steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and unfailing kindness. By appealing to God's mercies, the psalmist acknowledges his own unworthiness and places his hope entirely on God's gracious and loyal nature. This reflects a deep understanding that God acts out of His own abundant compassion and commitment to His covenant, as revealed throughout Scripture, such as in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - God's Compassionate Character"), which describes God as "abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 31:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's "shining face," for in Him, "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" is revealed ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - The Light of the Gospel")). Through Christ, God's benevolent favor is poured out upon humanity, dispelling the darkness of sin and death. Jesus is the ultimate "servant" of the Lord, who perfectly fulfilled God's will and, through His atoning sacrifice, secured our salvation. The "mercies" (`chesed`) of God, which the psalmist appeals to, are most fully and gloriously demonstrated in Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. It is "for His mercies' sake" that God sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins ([1 John 4:10](/1_john/4-10 "1 John 4:10 - God's Love in Christ")). We are saved not by our own works or righteousness, but by grace through faith in Him ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")), experiencing the full radiance of God's favor and the comprehensive salvation that only He can provide. In Christ, God's face truly shines upon us, granting us peace and eternal life.

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 4:6

¶ [There be] many that say, Who will shew us [any] good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Psalms 6:4

Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.

Daniel 9:9

To the Lord our God [belong] mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

Psalms 80:3

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Romans 9:15

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;