Psalm 109 21

Psalm 109:21 kjv

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

Psalm 109:21 nkjv

But You, O GOD the Lord, Deal with me for Your name's sake; Because Your mercy is good, deliver me.

Psalm 109:21 niv

But you, Sovereign LORD, help me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.

Psalm 109:21 esv

But you, O GOD my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name's sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!

Psalm 109:21 nlt

But deal well with me, O Sovereign LORD,
for the sake of your own reputation!
Rescue me
because you are so faithful and good.

Psalm 109 verses

Psalm 109 21 Meaning

Psalm 109:21 is a pivotal verse within a deeply troubled psalm. It marks a shift from a vehement plea for judgment against enemies to a direct and heartfelt petition to God for personal deliverance. The supplicant, amidst intense affliction and slander, appeals not to his own merit or the injustice of his adversaries, but solely to the unchanging character and attributes of God—His sovereign Lordship, His sacred Name, and His abundant, covenantal lovingkindness. The essence of the verse is a desperate cry for God's merciful intervention and rescue, grounded entirely in who God is rather than what the psalmist deserves.

Psalm 109 21 Context

Psalm 109 is classified as an imprecatory or cursing psalm. The preceding verses (6-20) detail severe, often shocking, curses against the psalmist's enemies, who have falsely accused, slandered, and conspired against him despite his compassion for them. The psalmist expresses profound distress, feeling weak, needy, and persecuted (vv. 22-24). Amidst this outpouring of agony and vengeful desire, verse 21 serves as a profound pivot. Instead of solely dwelling on the wickedness of his foes or relying on his own arguments for justice, the psalmist turns fully to God, shifting the basis of his plea from the evil deeds of others to the immutable, benevolent nature of the Almighty. This turn signifies that ultimately, the psalmist's hope is in God's character, not in the vindication of his own righteousness or the complete destruction of his enemies, but in God's unfailing intervention driven by His divine attributes.

Psalm 109 21 Word analysis

• But You, O God the Lord,
  • But You (וְאַתָּה, ve'attah): Introduces a sharp contrast with the enemies described earlier. This emphasizes a deliberate turning point and direct address. The "You" is singular, powerfully focusing the petition on God alone.
  • O God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): A general yet powerful name for God, emphasizing His transcendent power, creator status, and supreme deity. It highlights His strength and authority to act.
  • the Lord (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai): Signifies master, owner, or sovereign. This title often indicates a close, covenantal relationship and emphasizes God's supreme authority over His creation and specifically over the supplicant, implying the right to rule and respond. The combination Elohim Adonai denotes profound respect for His supreme power and personal lordship. It positions God as the ultimate arbiter, distinct from any human judge or accuser.
• deal with me (עֲשֵׂה־אִתִּי, aseh-itti): Literally "do with me" or "act on my behalf." It is an imperative, a direct command or earnest request for divine intervention and action. It indicates a passive stance by the psalmist, acknowledging God's sovereignty to handle the situation. This implies a desire for justice, vindication, or rescue initiated and performed by God.
• for Your name's sake (לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, lema'an shimkha):
  • for Your name's sake: This is a profound theological basis for prayer. In biblical thought, "name" (שֵׁם, shem) represents the sum total of God's character, His attributes, His reputation, His power, His revealed will, and His covenant promises. To act "for Your name's sake" means to act consistently with who God is, to uphold His divine glory and honor, and to fulfill His sworn word. This prayer is not based on the psalmist’s righteousness but on God's perfect and unfailing nature. It highlights that God’s actions flow from His inherent being, rather than external persuasion. It's a polemic against beliefs that gods need to be bribed or convinced by human merit; God acts because He is God.
• Because Your lovingkindness is good (כִּי־טוֹב חַסְדְּךָ, ki-tov chasdekha):
  • Because (כִּי, ki): Introduces the reason or ground for the plea.
  • Your lovingkindness (חַסְדְּךָ, chasdekha): Hesed (חֶסֶד). This is a foundational theological term often translated as mercy, steadfast love, unfailing love, covenant loyalty, or grace. It is a commitment of faithful love, particularly within a covenant relationship, that goes beyond mere pity and actively expresses itself in deeds of salvation and protection. It's not just an emotion but an active demonstration of loyal commitment. This term speaks to God’s unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His people. It signifies that God's mercy is rooted in His very essence.
  • is good (טוֹב, tov): Describes Hesed. Not merely "morally good," but implies beneficial, beautiful, pleasant, powerful, and effective. God's lovingkindness is intrinsically beneficial and productive, making it a reliable basis for hope and prayer. It highlights the positive, life-affirming aspect of His mercy.
• deliver me (וְהַצִּילֵנִי, vehātzīlēnī): An urgent imperative. The verb (נצל, natzal) means to snatch away, draw out, rescue, save, or free from danger or an oppressive situation. This is the direct, ultimate request: rescue from the hands of his adversaries and his deep affliction.

Psalm 109 21 Bonus section

The structure of Psalm 109:21 beautifully mirrors the journey of a soul grappling with immense suffering: from initial cries of anguish and calls for judgment against enemies to a final anchor in God's unchangeable character. This transition is not unique; it’s a pattern found in many psalms (e.g., Psa 73). It reflects a matured faith that, despite human frailties and emotional responses, ultimately redirects hope and trust from what the psalmist or others might do, to what only God, by His nature, can and will do. This makes the prayer effective and timeless, appealing to attributes of God that are unchanging, irrespective of human circumstances or behavior.

Psalm 109 21 Commentary

Psalm 109:21 represents a profound shift in the psalmist's prayer. While the preceding verses are filled with vehement pleas for retribution against his slanderous enemies, this verse transcends human anger and personal merit by appealing directly to God's inherent nature. The psalmist effectively says, "My plight is desperate, and my enemies are relentless, but I am putting my hope not in justice for them, but in Your very being, O God."

The strategic appeal to "Your name's sake" (לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ) is foundational to biblical prayer. It acknowledges that God's honor and reputation are intrinsically tied to His response. The psalmist understands that if God were to abandon him, it would reflect negatively on God's power and faithfulness, not his own worthiness. This positions God as the primary stakeholder in the outcome. It's a declaration that God’s covenantal faithfulness, not human deservingness, is the bedrock of His action.

Further, grounding the plea in God's "lovingkindness" (חֶסֶד, hesed) reveals deep theological insight. Hesed is not simply a fleeting emotion, but a steadfast, covenantal love and loyalty. Its being "good" (tov) implies its efficacy and beneficial nature, underscoring that God's compassion is active, effective, and always beneficial to His people. Therefore, the psalmist is not pleading for a favor based on emotional appeal, but for an act consistent with God's very nature and His historical pattern of delivering His people.

This verse exemplifies true dependence: even when righteous indignation runs high and vengeance feels justified, the ultimate plea for salvation and intervention rests entirely upon God's character and power. It's a reminder that believers in Christ are to look beyond the immediate pain and adversaries to the immutable, merciful, and faithful character of God as the true source of rescue and hope, knowing that Christ's redemption was for God's glory and His great love for us, while we were still sinners.