Psalms 69:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 69:16 is a profound and desperate prayer from the psalmist, likely King David, who is overwhelmed by suffering and opposition. It represents a pivotal turn in the psalm from lament to earnest petition, appealing directly to God's inherent and abundant nature of goodness, steadfast love, and deep compassion. The verse encapsulates a heartfelt plea for divine attention and intervention, grounded not in the psalmist's merit but in the boundless character of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 69 is one of the most prominent lament psalms, often categorized as a Messianic psalm due to its extensive quotations and allusions in the New Testament concerning Christ's suffering. Prior to verse 16, the psalmist vividly describes his overwhelming affliction, feeling as if he is sinking in deep mire and floods of trouble, scorned by enemies and even alienated from his own family. He expresses intense reproach for God's sake and a burning zeal for God's house. Verse 16 marks a crucial transition, shifting from a detailed description of his distress and the injustice he faces to a direct, fervent appeal to God for active deliverance, basing his plea entirely on God's unchanging character rather than his own circumstances or righteousness. This prayer for divine hearing and intervention sets the stage for further petitions and expressions of hope found in the latter half of the psalm.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to David, the specific historical circumstances could range from his flight from Saul, the rebellion of Absalom, or other periods of intense personal and national distress. In ancient Israel, the concept of God's "lovingkindness" (Hebrew: _ḥesed_) and "tender mercies" (Hebrew: _raḥamîm_) were foundational to the covenant relationship. _Ḥesed_ referred to God's loyal, steadfast love and faithfulness to His covenant promises, a commitment that transcended human failings. _Raḥamîm_ conveyed a deep, visceral compassion, often likened to a mother's protective love for her child. To appeal to these attributes was to invoke the very essence of God's character as revealed to Israel, particularly in the wilderness (e.g., [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Proclamation of His Name")). The psalmist's plea to God to "turn unto me" reflects a cultural understanding of divine attention as active engagement and favor, a turning from perceived distance or judgment to merciful presence and saving action.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 69 and the Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **earnest petition and lament**, demonstrating how the righteous, even in profound suffering, can boldly approach God with their deepest needs. Secondly, it highlights the **character of God as the foundation for prayer**, emphasizing that appeals are rooted not in human merit but in God's inherent goodness, His steadfast love (`ḥesed`), and His boundless compassion (`raḥamîm`). This theme is echoed throughout the Psalms, as seen in [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is Merciful and Gracious"). Thirdly, it speaks to the theme of **divine intervention and deliverance**, expressing a deep trust that God will indeed "turn unto" His suffering servant and act according to His abundant mercy. Finally, as a Messianic psalm, it subtly foreshadows the **suffering and vindication of the righteous servant**, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who also cried out to God in His agony, trusting in the Father's perfect will and love, as seen in the accounts of [Gethsemane](/matthew/26 "Matthew 26 - Jesus in Gethsemane").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lovingkindness (Hebrew, _ḥesed'_):** This is one of the most profound theological terms in the Old Testament, signifying God's loyal love, steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and enduring mercy. It is not merely an emotion but an active, committed, and reliable goodness that God demonstrates towards His people, especially those with whom He has made a covenant. When the psalmist states God's `ḥesed` "is good," he means it is intrinsically beneficial, benevolent, and the very bedrock of God's relationship with humanity, ensuring His active engagement for the good of His beloved.
* **Tender Mercies (Hebrew, _raḥamîm'_):** This plural noun is derived from a root closely related to the Hebrew word for "womb" (_reḥem_). It conveys a deep, visceral, gut-level compassion and pity, akin to the protective, nurturing, and empathetic love a parent has for a child. The "multitude" of these mercies speaks to their immeasurable quantity and profound depth, indicating that God's compassion is boundless, never exhausted, and always available to those who turn to Him in need.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear me, O LORD":** This is a direct, urgent, and intimate plea for God's attention. It implies a sense of desperation, a feeling of being unheard or overlooked in the midst of overwhelming distress. It is a cry for God to incline His ear and respond actively to the psalmist's suffering.
* **"for thy lovingkindness [is] good":** This clause provides the foundational reason for the psalmist's appeal. The prayer is not based on the psalmist's own worthiness or merit, but solely on the inherent, unchanging, and benevolent character of God. His `ḥesed` (steadfast love/covenant faithfulness) is inherently beneficial, reliable, and the ultimate source of all good, making it the perfect ground for a plea for intervention.
* **"turn unto me":** This is a petition for God to direct His favorable attention, presence, and active intervention towards the psalmist. It implies a desire for God to shift from a perceived distance or silence to a tangible, saving engagement, bringing comfort, deliverance, and restoration.
* **"according to the multitude of thy tender mercies":** This phrase specifies the measure and abundance of God's desired action. The psalmist asks God to act not just with mercy, but with an overwhelming, immeasurable overflow of His deep, visceral compassion (`raḥamîm`). It underscores the boundless nature of God's pity and willingness to forgive, restore, and deliver, assuring the supplicant that no need is too great for God's abundant compassion.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 69:16 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The primary device is **Direct Address**, as the psalmist speaks immediately and personally to "O LORD," establishing an intimate and urgent tone. This is followed by an **Appeal to Character**, where the psalmist bases his petition entirely on God's inherent attributes ("thy lovingkindness is good," "multitude of thy tender mercies") rather than on his own merit, which is a common feature in lament psalms. The phrase "multitude of thy tender mercies" serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Intensification**, emphasizing the immeasurable and overflowing nature of God's compassion, assuring the supplicant of an abundant response. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Parallelism** between "lovingkindness is good" and "multitude of thy tender mercies," as both phrases describe the benevolent and compassionate nature of God, reinforcing the theological foundation of the prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the theological truth that God's character, particularly His steadfast love and boundless compassion, is the ultimate ground for human hope and prayer. It teaches us that even in the deepest pits of suffering, believers can confidently appeal to God, not because of their own righteousness, but because of who He is—a God whose lovingkindness is inherently good and whose mercies are multitudinous. This understanding fosters radical trust and dependence, shifting the focus from human performance to divine grace. It underscores the covenant faithfulness of God, assuring His people that His commitment to their well-being is unwavering, always leaning towards mercy and restoration.

* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Steadfast Love Endures")
* [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103:8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is Merciful and Gracious")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Proclamation of His Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 69:16 offers a timeless and powerful model for prayer, particularly in seasons of personal distress, overwhelming opposition, or societal brokenness. It encourages us to approach God with raw honesty about our pain, yet always anchoring our pleas in His unchanging, benevolent character. In a world that often measures worth by performance or circumstance, this verse reminds us that our access to God's grace is founded solely on His boundless `ḥesed` and `raḥamîm`. When we feel unheard, overlooked, or overwhelmed, we are invited to "turn unto" the Lord, confident that His lovingkindness is not only good but also sufficient to meet our deepest needs, prompting Him to act with an abundance of His saving grace. It assures us that no matter how dire our situation, God's compassion is never exhausted, and His willingness to forgive, restore, and deliver is vast and unfailing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's `ḥesed` (lovingkindness) and `raḥamîm` (tender mercies) deepen your confidence and honesty in prayer, especially during times of suffering?**
* **In what specific ways can you "turn unto" God with your current needs, trusting explicitly in His "multitude of tender mercies" rather than your own efforts or perceived worthiness?**
* **Considering the psalmist's deep distress, how does this verse encourage you to be vulnerable and persistent in your prayers, even when answers seem delayed?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "lovingkindness" and "tender mercies" in this verse?**

Answer: The terms "lovingkindness" (Hebrew: `ḥesed`) and "tender mercies" (Hebrew: `raḥamîm`) are central to understanding God's character in the Old Testament. `Ḥesed` refers to God's steadfast, loyal, and covenantal love—an active commitment that goes beyond mere sentiment to beneficial engagement. It's the dependable goodness of God. `Raḥamîm` denotes a deep, visceral, womb-like compassion, akin to a parent's profound empathy and care for their child. The "multitude" of these mercies emphasizes their immeasurable abundance. Together, these terms assure the psalmist, and us, that God's response to our pleas is rooted in His unchanging, abundant, and deeply compassionate nature, rather than our own merit or performance. They signify that God is inherently good and actively benevolent towards His creation, especially those who seek Him.

**Why does the psalmist ask God to "turn unto me"?**

Answer: The plea to "turn unto me" is a common expression in biblical laments, signifying a desire for God to actively engage and direct His favorable attention towards the supplicant. It implies a shift from a perceived state of divine distance, silence, or even judgment, to one of active presence, intervention, and deliverance. For the psalmist, overwhelmed by enemies and affliction, asking God to "turn" is a desperate cry for God to acknowledge his suffering, to show His face, and to manifest His saving power. It is a request for God to act decisively and mercifully, bringing comfort, vindication, and restoration in the midst of distress, demonstrating His presence and power as described in passages like [Psalm 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - Restore Us, O God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 69:16, like the entire psalm, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist cried out in his own suffering, his words resonate deeply with the experience of the Messiah. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, particularly in Gethsemane and on the cross, perfectly embodied the one who suffered reproach and cried out to the Father. His appeals were always grounded in the Father's perfect will and boundless `ḥesed` and `raḥamîm`. The "lovingkindness" of God, which is "good," was supremely demonstrated when He sent His only Son to suffer and die for humanity's sin, proving His steadfast love while we were still sinners ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The "multitude of thy tender mercies" finds its fullest expression in the new covenant established through Christ's blood, where God, "being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Rich Mercy and Love")). Through Christ, we now have confident access to the "throne of grace, that we may 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 with Confidence")). Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God's good lovingkindness, and through Him, we receive the boundless, tender mercies that lead to salvation and eternal comfort ([2 Corinthians 1:3](/2_corinthians/1-3 "2 Corinthians 1:3 - God of All Comfort")).

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 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.