Psalm 119:132 kjv
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Psalm 119:132 nkjv
Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Psalm 119:132 niv
Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
Psalm 119:132 esv
Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.
Psalm 119:132 nlt
Come and show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love your name.
Psalm 119 132 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 34:6-7 | The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger... | God's merciful character. |
| Num 6:24-26 | The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you... | Divine blessing and grace. |
| Psa 4:1 | Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when in distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. | Petition for grace in distress. |
| Psa 9:10 | And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. | Connection: knowing/loving name and trust. |
| Psa 17:7 | Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge... | God's saving love for His own. |
| Psa 25:16 | Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. | Plea for grace in affliction. |
| Psa 30:10 | Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper! | Call for God's help and grace. |
| Psa 31:9 | Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief... | Plea for grace due to suffering. |
| Psa 51:1 | Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy... | Petition for mercy based on God's nature. |
| Psa 86:15 | But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. | Reiterates God's gracious character. |
| Psa 91:14 | "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name." | God's promised deliverance for lovers of His name. |
| Psa 103:8 | The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. | God's consistent, compassionate nature. |
| Psa 145:8 | The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. | God's attributes for all generations. |
| Jer 31:3 | I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. | God's initiating and drawing love. |
| Joel 2:13 | Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love... | Call to repentance based on God's grace. |
| Deut 6:5 | You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. | The primary command to love God. |
| 1 John 4:8 | Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. | God's nature is love; knowing Him means loving. |
| John 14:15 | "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | Connection: love for God and obedience. |
| John 14:21 | "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me..." | Direct link between love and obedience to Christ. |
| Rom 9:15 | For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." | God's sovereign right to show mercy. |
| Tit 3:4-5 | But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works... | Salvation by God's grace, not human merit. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace... | Invitation to approach God for grace. |
| Rev 22:4 | They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. | Ultimate privilege for those who belong to Him. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 132 Meaning
Psalm 119:132 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist to God for compassionate attention and unmerited favor. The appeal is grounded in God's consistent and faithful character: His established "way" or custom of showing kindness and grace specifically to those who genuinely love His revealed nature, authority, and identity, represented by His "name." It reflects a desire for a personal experience of God's favor, confident that such favor aligns with His covenantal relationship with His devoted people.
Psalm 119 132 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a deeply contemplative acrostic poem. Each of its 176 verses focuses on a facet of God's Word, using synonyms like law, statutes, decrees, commandments, precepts, rules, warnings, and word. The overarching theme is the psalmist's fervent love for and delight in God's law, which he sees as his guide, comfort, light, and source of life. Verse 132 falls within the Pe (פ) section, which emphasizes the psalmist's longing and passion for God's presence and saving help, amidst his feeling of being forgotten or despised by others (Psa 119:139, 141). His plea for grace here aligns with his dependence on God's Word for strength and deliverance, reflecting his consistent walk of faith and obedience. Historically, the psalm may date to the post-exilic period, reflecting a renewed emphasis on the Torah's centrality in Jewish life amidst challenges.
Psalm 119 132 Word analysis
Look upon me (רְאֵה בִ֤י R'eh bi)
- R'eh (imperative of ra'ah - רָאָה) means "see," "behold," "look." It denotes paying close attention, taking notice, showing concern, and responding actively. It is a plea for God to actively acknowledge and engage with the psalmist's situation. When God "looks upon" someone, it often precedes an act of divine favor.
- bi (בִ֤י) means "at/upon me."
and be gracious to me (וְחָנֵּ֖נִי v’channeni)
- v'channeni (imperative of chanan - חָנַן) means "show favor," "be merciful," "have pity," "grant grace." The root implies a strong, favorable inclination from a superior, expressing kindness, compassion, and the bestowing of unmerited favor.
as is your way / as your custom is (כְּמִשְׁפָּט֙ k'mishpat)
- k' (כְּ) means "as" or "according to."
- mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means "judgment," "justice," "ordinance," "rule," or "custom." Here, it refers to God's established, consistent manner of dealing with His people. It implies a pattern of action that is both just and merciful, based on His covenantal relationship and unchanging character.
with those who love your name (לְאֹהֲבֵ֥י שְׁמֶֽךָ l'ohevey sh'meka)
- l'ohevey (לְאֹהֲבֵ֥י) is the preposition l'u (לְ) "to/for" + the participle ohev (אֹהֵב), "one who loves." "Those who love" indicates not just an emotion, but an active, demonstrated commitment of affection, loyalty, and obedience.
- sh'meka (שְׁמֶֽךָ) is "your name" (shem - שֵׁם). In biblical thought, "name" represents the full revelation of a person's character, reputation, authority, and presence. To "love God's name" means to revere, honor, trust, and cherish His character and all He has revealed about Himself, expressing itself in obedience to His commands.
"Look upon me and be gracious to me": This double imperative signifies an urgent and personal request for God's divine attention and compassionate action, flowing from a recognition of desperate need.
"as is your way with those who love your name": This phrase establishes the basis of the plea not on personal merit, but on God's established and righteous pattern of interacting with His devoted followers. It's an appeal to God's consistent nature and promises to those who truly honor and obey Him.
Psalm 119 132 Bonus section
The concept of "loving God's name" implies an internal disposition that manifests externally in obedience to His Word. It contrasts with merely knowing facts about God; it is about deeply cherishing His identity and embracing His will. The plea here aligns with a major theme throughout Psalm 119, where the psalmist consistently aligns his affections, thoughts, and actions with God's Word. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while grace is unmerited, God often channels His favor through His established patterns of interacting with those who are devoted to Him. It's an encouragement for believers to consistently demonstrate their love for God's name, fostering the ground for His divine favor and attention in their lives. The request also acknowledges God's sovereignty – His ways are His own, yet predictably gracious to His covenant children.
Psalm 119 132 Commentary
Psalm 119:132 is a profound expression of humble dependence and faith. The psalmist does not demand God's attention or grace based on his own righteousness, but rather appeals to God's intrinsic character and consistent method of operation. The phrase "Look upon me" goes beyond mere physical sight; it yearns for God's personal, compassionate regard and active intervention. This gaze is expected to culminate in "graciousness," an undeserved favor that brings relief, help, or blessing. The critical element lies in the qualification "as is your way with those who love your name." This refers to God's enduring principle of covenantal faithfulness. Those who truly "love God's name" are not simply those with an emotional attachment but are individuals whose lives demonstrate reverence for God's revealed character, His authority, and His Word, which they endeavor to obey. Therefore, the psalmist essentially prays, "Treat me as you consistently treat all your faithful, devoted ones who honor who You are and keep Your Word, for I am one of them." It's a prayer of reliance on divine faithfulness to His covenant people, assuring the psalmist that God's grace flows predictably towards His beloved children.