Psalm 30 10

Psalm 30:10 kjv

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

Psalm 30:10 nkjv

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!"

Psalm 30:10 niv

Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help."

Psalm 30:10 esv

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!"

Psalm 30:10 nlt

Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O LORD."

Psalm 30 verses

Psalm 30 10 Meaning

Psalm 30:10 is a direct, earnest plea from the psalmist to the LORD, revealing a moment of intense need and complete dependence on God. It encapsulates a two-fold cry: first, a desperate request for God to acknowledge and attend to his suffering through hearing his prayer and showing unmerited favor; and second, an urgent entreaty for God's active and personal assistance. This verse marks a pivotal point in the psalm, transitioning from the description of deep distress to a hopeful anticipation of God's restorative intervention, emphasizing that only the Sovereign LORD can provide the needed deliverance and mercy.

Psalm 30 10 Context

Psalm 30 is a psalm of thanksgiving for recovery from a grave illness or a similar life-threatening ordeal, likely experienced by King David. It is categorized as a "Maskil" or "A Dedication Song," often associated with the dedication of David's house (2 Sam 5:11, 7:1-2) or an altar built after a plague (2 Sam 24:18-25).

The structure of Psalm 30 typically flows from an opening of praise (vv. 1-3), to a call for others to praise God (vv. 4-5), followed by a recounting of the psalmist's descent into pride, suffering, and despair (vv. 6-9). Verse 10 stands as the climactic and desperate cry from the depths of this distress. It represents the psalmist's specific and fervent prayer offered when he was at his lowest point, feeling God's hand against him. This plea immediately precedes the joyous turnaround where God restores him (vv. 11-12), transforming his mourning into dancing. The verse's setting is therefore the precise moment of turning from despondency to confident appeal before the answer comes. It reflects profound humility and renewed faith after a period of self-reliance or perceived divine absence.

Psalm 30 10 Word analysis

• Hear: In Hebrew, שְׁמַע (shemaʿ). This is not merely an auditory act but signifies attention, understanding, and responsive action. It implies God's personal involvement and commitment to the supplicant. When the psalmist says "Hear, O LORD," it's a profound request for God to truly engage with his plight and intervene, not just passively listen.
• O LORD: The Hebrew here is יְהוָה (Yahweh), the personal, covenantal name of God. This emphasizes His unchanging faithfulness, His sovereign authority, and His intimate relationship with His people. Addressing God by this name underscores a reliance on His covenant promises and character, particularly His steadfast love and redemptive power.
• and be merciful to me!: The Hebrew verb is חָנֵּנִי (channenı̂), from the root חָנַן (chanan). It means "to be gracious," "to show favor," or "to have pity." This term implies extending underserved kindness or compassion. The plea for mercy highlights the psalmist's recognition of his own unworthiness and his absolute dependence on God's benevolent character, seeking grace rather than justice. It's an appeal for compassion despite any failures or just deserts.
• O LORD: Again, יְהוָה (Yahweh) is used, reinforcing the personal nature of the prayer and the specific relationship the psalmist has with his covenant God. The repetition signifies urgency, deep emotion, and intense focus on God's unique power.
• be my helper!: The Hebrew noun here is עֶזְרָה (ʿezrah), meaning "help," "support," or "succor." It is frequently used to describe God as the sole and essential source of assistance, especially when all human efforts are insufficient. This isn't a request for trivial aid, but for vital, life-saving intervention. The imperative form "be my helper" is a fervent and direct petition for immediate and decisive action.
• "Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!": This phrase collectively represents the initial aspect of the plea: gaining God's favorable attention and undeserved favor. It's a fundamental prayer in moments of spiritual or physical distress, acknowledging God's sovereignty and His benevolent nature. It's a confession of desperation that trusts in God's grace.
• "O LORD, be my helper!": This second part focuses on God's active role as a rescuer and provider of strength. It's a progression from seeking divine grace to seeking divine power and deliverance. It illustrates the understanding that divine compassion leads to divine intervention. The psalmist shifts from expressing a need for a gracious attitude from God to a request for active, tangible support.

Psalm 30 10 Bonus section

The Hebrew verbs used in Psalm 30:10 are imperatives: "Hear!" (Shema) and "be merciful!" (Channenı̂) and "be my helper!" (Ezrah li - though 'ezrah' is a noun here, the plea takes on an imperative force due to the "be my" construction). The imperative mood signifies the urgency and directness of David's appeal. He isn't making a suggestion but making a direct, forceful petition, believing in God's capacity and willingness to respond immediately. This choice of verb mood emphasizes the immediate and vital nature of his need and his expectation of God's prompt and decisive intervention. The psalmist moves from intellectual understanding of God's character to an experiential demand based on that character. This fervent, demanding posture in prayer is seen throughout the Psalms, indicating not irreverence, but deep intimacy and confidence in the Father's loving disposition towards His children even in their weakness.

Psalm 30 10 Commentary

Psalm 30:10 encapsulates a universal and timeless expression of raw spiritual desperation, a prayer whispered or cried out from the depths of personal affliction. It portrays an individual, likely King David, who, having been brought to the brink of death or disaster, sheds any illusion of self-sufficiency. The double invocation of "O LORD" (Yahweh) underscores the intimate, covenantal relationship he seeks to engage, reminding himself and God of His unique identity as the faithful, ever-present God of Israel.

The plea to "Hear" is more than just a request for an auditory perception; it is a fervent appeal for God's attentive consideration, His active discernment of the psalmist's agony, and His sympathetic response. This "hearing" is intrinsically linked to the subsequent request to "be merciful." This word, from chanan, points to God's inherent nature of extending unmerited favor and compassion. It’s an acknowledgment that recovery or deliverance is not deserved but must flow solely from God’s character and His lovingkindness.

Finally, the cry "be my helper" is a confession of utter powerlessness and an acknowledgment of God as the sole source of effective aid. It's a prayer for intervention that is both powerful and precise, pulling the psalmist out of the "pit" (as mentioned in Ps 30:3). This verse, strategically placed before the ultimate turning point in the psalm, beautifully illustrates the pathway from deep distress to divine deliverance: it is paved by a direct, humble, and dependent prayer for God's attentive mercy and active help.

Practically, this verse teaches believers to:

• Pray earnestly during affliction: Do not hide suffering from God.
• Call upon God by His covenant name: Remember His character and promises in times of need.
• Seek His mercy before His power: Acknowledge dependence on His undeserved grace.
• Trust in His specific help: Articulate the need for His active intervention.