Psalms 69:16

Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness [is] good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

Hear {H6030}{H8798)} me, O LORD {H3068}; for thy lovingkindness {H2617} is good {H2896}: turn {H6437}{H8798)} unto me according to the multitude {H7230} of thy tender mercies {H7356}.

Answer me, ADONAI, for your grace is good; in your great mercy, turn to me.

Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.

Answer me, O Jehovah; for thy lovingkindness is good: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies turn thou unto me.

Commentary

Psalms 69:16 is a heartfelt prayer from a suffering individual, often identified with King David, appealing directly to God's inherent character of goodness and mercy. This verse encapsulates a profound plea for divine intervention and compassion in a time of deep distress.

Context

Psalm 69 is a vivid lament, one of the most significant Messianic Psalms, detailing the intense suffering, reproach, and persecution faced by the psalmist. He describes being overwhelmed by floods of trouble and enemies who hate him without cause. The plea in verse 16 is a pivot point, turning from a description of affliction to an earnest appeal based on God's nature. This psalm is frequently cited in the New Testament, particularly in relation to Christ's suffering and zeal for God's house (John 2:17).

Key Themes

  • Earnest Appeal for Hearing: The opening cry, "Hear me, O LORD," signifies a desperate need for divine attention and intervention, highlighting the psalmist's vulnerability and reliance on God.
  • God's Goodness and Lovingkindness: The prayer is founded not on the psalmist's merit, but on God's unchanging character. His "lovingkindness is good" implies it is inherently beneficial, benevolent, and reliable.
  • Multitude of Tender Mercies: The request to "turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies" emphasizes the abundant and boundless nature of God's compassion. It's a plea for God to act not just with mercy, but with an overflow of it.

Linguistic Insights

  • Lovingkindness (chesed): The Hebrew word chesed (often transliterated as hesed) is a rich theological term signifying loyal love, steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and enduring mercy. It speaks of God's commitment to His people, a faithfulness that goes beyond mere sentiment to active, beneficial engagement. It's the bedrock of God's relationship with humanity.
  • Tender Mercies (rachamim): This word, rachamim, is the plural form of a term closely related to the Hebrew word for "womb" (rechem). It conveys deep, gut-level compassion, often likened to the protective, nurturing love a parent has for a child. The "multitude" of these mercies speaks to their immeasurable quantity and profound depth, ensuring that God's compassion is never exhausted (Lamentations 3:22).

Reflection and Application

Psalms 69:16 offers a powerful model for prayer, especially in times of personal suffering or societal distress. It teaches us to:

  • Pray with Boldness: Approach God directly with our needs, confident that He hears.
  • Anchor Prayer in God's Character: Our plea is strengthened not by our worthiness, but by God's inherent goodness, His steadfast love, and His boundless compassion. When we pray, we can remind ourselves of the Lord's gracious and compassionate nature.
  • Trust in Abundant Mercy: Even when overwhelmed, we can appeal to the "multitude" of God's tender mercies, knowing His willingness to forgive, restore, and deliver is vast.
This verse assures believers that God's lovingkindness is not only good but also sufficient to meet any need, prompting Him to "turn unto" us with His saving grace.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 109:21

    ¶ But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy [is] good, deliver thou me.

  • Psalms 25:16

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

  • Psalms 63:3

    ¶ Because thy lovingkindness [is] better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

  • Psalms 69:13

    ¶ But as for me, my prayer [is] unto thee, O LORD, [in] an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

  • 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 26:11

    But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

  • Micah 7:19

    He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.