Psalm 25 16

Psalm 25:16 kjv

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

Psalm 25:16 nkjv

Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted.

Psalm 25:16 niv

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

Psalm 25:16 esv

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

Psalm 25:16 nlt

Turn to me and have mercy,
for I am alone and in deep distress.

Psalm 25 verses

Psalm 25 16 Meaning

Psalm 25:16 is a poignant plea from David, who is in deep distress, to God for divine intervention and compassion. The verse expresses a desperate need for God's personal attention, grace, and relief, acknowledging a state of extreme isolation and suffering. It underscores a profound dependence on God, based not on the supplicant's merit but solely on God's character of mercy and steadfast love.

Psalm 25 16 Context

Psalm 25 is a prayer by David, characterized as an acrostic psalm (though somewhat irregular), where each successive verse or stanza begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a heartfelt lament and supplication in a time of great distress, expressing a fervent desire for God's guidance, forgiveness, and deliverance from enemies. Throughout the psalm, David battles internal fears and external threats, constantly looking to God for rescue and truth.

This particular verse (25:16) follows a section where David appeals to God's steadfast love and mercy, specifically asking God not to remember the sins of his youth but rather to remember him according to His great mercy (vv. 6-7). David has sought the Lord (v.5) and relies on Him amidst scorn (v.2-3). Verse 16 deepens the expression of his vulnerability, detailing the intense personal suffering—loneliness and affliction—that fuels his plea for divine compassion. The "enemies" mentioned in previous and subsequent verses are likely a contributing factor to this feeling of isolation and oppression, making his suffering both personal and circumstantial.

Psalm 25 16 Word analysis

• פְּנֵה אֵלַי (pəneh ʾēlay):

  • פְּנֵה (pəneh): Hebrew verb from the root panah, meaning "to turn," "to face," "to turn one's face toward." It implies a shift in attention, presence, or direction. Here, it is an imperative, a direct command to God, urging Him to physically and metaphorically "turn His attention to me." It signifies a desperate need for divine awareness and acknowledgment of David's state. It suggests a perception that God might seem distant or distracted, prompting this earnest appeal for His focus.
  • אֵלַי (ʾēlay): "to me." Specifies the direction of God's turning and attention.
  • Significance: This is not merely asking for a physical turn but an intimate, relational turning that includes God's presence, care, and intervention. It’s an appeal for a change in God's perceived demeanor towards the suppliant.

• וְחָנֵּנִי (wəḥannēnnî):

  • וְ (wə-): Conjunction "and."
  • חָנֵּנִי (ḥannēnnî): Hebrew verb from the root chanan, meaning "to show favor," "to be gracious," "to have pity or mercy." It conveys the idea of a superior bestowing unmerited favor upon an inferior, often in a context of need or supplication.
  • Significance: This is a plea for underserved kindness and compassionate assistance. It acknowledges that David does not necessarily deserve God's help but is utterly dependent on His benevolent nature. It emphasizes mercy rather than justice.

• כִּי (kî):

  • "for," "because," "that." Introduces the reason or justification for the preceding plea.
  • Significance: It directly connects David's distress (lonely and afflicted) to his desperate need for God's turning and grace. His condition is the compelling argument for God's immediate attention.

• יָחִיד (yāḥîd):

  • "lonely," "solitary," "unique," "only one." This powerful Hebrew term signifies an intense form of isolation. It can refer to an only child, hence emphasizing extreme vulnerability and lack of support (e.g., Gen 22:2, "your only son"). It conveys a feeling of being utterly forsaken, without allies, even in a crowded world.
  • Significance: It implies emotional and social desolation, possibly persecuted, abandoned, or feeling singled out by suffering. David feels utterly alone, amplifying his need for divine companionship.

• וְעָנִי (wəʿānî):

  • וְ (wə-): Conjunction "and."
  • עָנִי (ʿānî): Hebrew adjective meaning "afflicted," "poor," "humble," "oppressed," "miserable." This term often describes those who are socio-economically disadvantaged, physically suffering, or those experiencing persecution and distress. In a spiritual sense, it can describe someone who is humble before God, acknowledging their spiritual poverty.
  • Significance: This signifies not just external hardship but an internal state of being downtrodden and weighed down by circumstances, often implying a state of helplessness. It presents David as one suffering severe adversity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Turn to me and be gracious to me": This phrase represents the dual aspects of God's required action: His presence/attention ("turn to me") and His benevolent intervention ("be gracious to me"). It highlights the relational aspect of prayer—God engaging personally with the distressed supplicant—and the desired outcome—receiving underserved favor and help. This plea counters the feeling of being unnoticed or overlooked by the divine.

• "for I am lonely and afflicted": This segment provides the urgent justification for the plea. It describes David's desperate existential state. "Lonely" (yachid) conveys deep personal isolation, a sense of being singular in his suffering, perhaps cut off from typical human support or comfort. "Afflicted" (ani) signifies being oppressed, humbled, or in great distress, possibly due to enemies or life circumstances. These two conditions combine to present a picture of utter helplessness and misery, underscoring the vital need for God's immediate and compassionate rescue. The original context implies a polemic against beliefs where deities were remote or indifferent; David appeals to a God who actively cares for the oppressed and isolated.

Psalm 25 16 Bonus section

The Hebrew word "yachid" for "lonely" often carries a nuance of "only one" or "unique," which amplifies David's sense of profound isolation. It's not just feeling a little down, but genuinely feeling as if no one else could possibly understand his singular suffering, or that he stands utterly alone against his foes. This particularity heightens the desperation of the plea to God, who alone possesses the infinite power and intimate knowledge to address such a unique and overwhelming need. The very concept of a singular God being able to relate to and save a "singularly lonely" person contrasts sharply with polytheistic views where multiple deities might distribute their attention or neglect the isolated. This emphasizes the personal, covenantal nature of Yahweh, who bends down to the lowly and isolated, making His presence and grace intensely personal for the suffering individual. The imagery here also resonates deeply with the prophetic anticipation of Christ, who as "a man of sorrows" and "rejected by men," knew the ultimate "loneliness" and "affliction" for the sake of humanity (Isa 53).

Psalm 25 16 Commentary

Psalm 25:16 is a raw, unvarnished expression of human vulnerability before God. David, facing overwhelming difficulties, strips away all pretense and humbly lays bare his internal suffering. The plea to "Turn to me" is more than a request for physical sight; it is an earnest cry for God's undivided attention, personal presence, and an acknowledgment of David's desperate plight. Coupled with "be gracious to me," it underscores a fundamental reliance on God's undeserved kindness (hesed/chanan), recognizing that human merit is insufficient.

The core of his plea lies in his declared state: "for I am lonely and afflicted." "Lonely" (yachid) is a potent word suggesting not just solitude but a unique, even perilous, isolation, much like an "only child" without siblings for support, or a "forsaken one." This can mean being socially ostracized, lacking allies in a time of trial, or experiencing spiritual desolation. "Afflicted" (ani) complements this by painting a picture of one who is brought low, poor, suffering oppression, or overwhelmed by external and internal burdens. This humility and self-recognition of a desolate state are what prompt God's ear, as He consistently favors the contrite and humble.

This verse exemplifies that distress is a valid ground for appealing to God's mercy. It teaches us that our deep needs and suffering are not hindrances to approaching God but rather catalysts for His compassionate intervention. The call to "turn" is a yearning for God's compassionate gaze, transforming perceived distance into intimate care, and our distress into a conduit for His grace.

Examples:

• A believer facing a season of deep spiritual dryness and feeling cut off from Christian community might pray this, feeling "lonely and afflicted."
• Someone suffering prolonged illness with few visitors could resonate deeply with the "lonely and afflicted" plea, yearning for God's personal comfort.
• An individual enduring unjust persecution might call out to God with this verse, needing Him to "turn" to their cause and grant them grace amidst the trial.