Psalm 69 16

Psalm 69:16 kjv

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

Psalm 69:16 nkjv

Hear me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.

Psalm 69:16 niv

Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

Psalm 69:16 esv

Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Psalm 69:16 nlt

Answer my prayers, O LORD,
for your unfailing love is wonderful.
Take care of me,
for your mercy is so plentiful.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 16 Meaning

Psalm 69:16 is a direct and fervent prayer to God, a plea for divine intervention based entirely on the petitioner's understanding of God's character. The psalmist implores the Lord to respond because His steadfast love (covenant loyalty and goodness) is inherently good, and thus, in accordance with His abundant mercy, He should turn His attention and favor towards the suffering one. It pivots from lament to an earnest appeal to God's compassionate nature.

Psalm 69 16 Context

Psalm 69 is a deeply poignant lament psalm, traditionally attributed to David, expressing profound suffering and isolation. It paints a picture of one overwhelmed by trials—spiritual, social, and physical—likened to sinking in deep mire and being engulfed by floods (Ps 69:2-3). The psalmist experiences alienation from friends and family (Ps 69:8), slander and scorn from enemies (Ps 69:4, 9-12), and the shame associated with perceived divine abandonment. Within this context of intense personal anguish and undeserved hostility, the psalmist appeals directly to God, whose face seems to be hidden.

Verse 16 marks a critical shift from describing suffering to articulating the ground of hope: God's inherent character. The plea for God to "answer" and "turn" is a direct cry for divine attentiveness and rescue. The suffering described in the preceding verses provides the immediate backdrop for this desperate, yet faith-filled, prayer for relief. This psalm also holds significant prophetic and Messianic importance, with many New Testament passages referencing it, particularly in relation to Christ's suffering, zeal for God's house, and ultimate triumph (e.g., Jn 2:17, Rom 15:3, Jn 15:25). Thus, the suffering and the cry in verse 16 can be seen to prefigure Christ's own anguish and His dependence on the Father.

Psalm 69 16 Word analysis

• Answer me (Anenî, עֲנֵנִי): This is an imperative verb, a direct command or urgent plea from the suppliant to God. It means "to answer, respond, reply," but also carries the connotation of "to deliver, save" in the context of a cry for help. It's a request for direct and active intervention from God in the petitioner's plight.
• O Lord (YHWH, יְהוָה): The divine covenant name of God. By invoking YHWH, the psalmist appeals to God as the faithful, self-existent One who reveals Himself, maintains covenant relationship with His people, and is characterized by unwavering promises. This is a personal, intimate address, foundational to the petitioner's hope.
• for your steadfast love (kî ṭōḇ ḥasděkā, כִּי טוֹב חַסְדְּךָ):
  • for (kî, כִּי): A causal conjunction, indicating the reason or ground for the plea. The request is not based on merit, but on God's nature.
  • steadfast love (ḥesed, חֶסֶד): One of the most significant theological terms in the Old Testament. It denotes loyal, enduring, unfailing, and covenant love. It’s a love demonstrated in action, especially in moments of covenant loyalty and grace, often given when undeserved. It's a commitment and faithfulness that God consistently shows towards His people. It signifies benevolent kindness, particularly in relationship.
  • is good (ṭōḇ, טוֹב): Meaning "good, pleasing, benevolent, upright." Here, it affirms that God's ḥesed is inherently good, righteous, beneficial, and entirely consistent with His character. It is not merely effective, but intrinsically good.
• according to your abundant mercy (kə-rōḇ raḥamīḵā, כְּרֹב רַחֲמֶיךָ):
  • according to (kə, כְּ): Implies conformity, proportionality. The action requested should be commensurate with God's attribute.
  • abundant (rōḇ, רֹב): Meaning "multitude, abundance, greatness." It emphasizes the boundless, overflowing nature of God's mercy, signifying that it is not merely sufficient but inexhaustible.
  • mercy (raḥamim, רַחֲמֶיךָ - plural of raḥam): This term expresses deep, tender, gut-level compassion, akin to the feeling a mother has for her child. It originates from the Hebrew word for "womb" and conveys a profound, visceral sympathy and pity for another's suffering. It is a tender, deeply felt love that compels one to alleviate distress.
• turn to me (pəneh ēlay, פְּנֵה אֵלַי): This is an imperative verb. Pəneh (פְּנֵה) literally means "turn," but in this context, "turn your face/attention toward me." It signifies God inclining His presence, attention, favor, and direct regard toward the supplicant, leading to active intervention and rescue. It contrasts with God hiding His face, which would imply disfavor or abandonment.

Words-Group analysis:The pairing of "steadfast love is good" (ḥesed ṭōv) and "abundant mercy" (rov raḥamim) highlights the dual foundational aspects of God's character upon which the petitioner makes their plea. Ḥesed speaks to God's faithful, covenant commitment, while raḥamim points to His deep, empathetic compassion. Together, they form an irresistible appeal for divine help, demonstrating the petitioner's profound trust in God's nature. The urgency of "Answer me" and "turn to me" reflects the immediate need for God's active presence and benevolent intervention, confirming that the appeal is not just for emotional solace but for tangible deliverance.

Psalm 69 16 Bonus section

The intertwining of ḥesed and raḥamim is a recurrent divine description throughout the Hebrew Bible, often appearing together to define God's core being (e.g., Ex 34:6; Ps 86:15). While ḥesed emphasizes His faithfulness to a covenant and obligations, raḥamim highlights His emotional, visceral compassion, often described as a divine paternal or maternal tenderness. The psalmist here leverages both aspects of God's character, creating a comprehensive and deeply moving appeal. This comprehensive view of God's attributes underscores the Israelite understanding that God is not just an arbitrary power but a personal deity moved by unwavering love and profound sympathy.

This verse, therefore, represents a fundamental shift in perspective for anyone facing adversity. Instead of focusing solely on the overwhelming nature of the problems, the focus turns to the boundless capacity and inherent goodness of God. The psalmist expresses full confidence that the magnitude of God’s love and mercy transcends any measure of suffering or unworthiness. This is not mere theological speculation, but the practical foundation of living hope and an example for how to navigate extreme personal crisis through divine reliance.

Psalm 69 16 Commentary

Psalm 69:16 serves as a pivot point in the psalmist’s lament, shifting from the recounting of deep distress to a passionate appeal grounded entirely in the character of God. The supplicant understands that their hope for deliverance does not lie in personal merit or circumstances, but solely in who God is. By appealing to "YHWH," the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel, the psalmist reaffirms a deep, relational faith even amidst severe trials.

The heart of the plea lies in two foundational attributes of God: His "steadfast love" (ḥesed) and "abundant mercy" (raḥamim). Ḥesed represents God's unfailing covenant faithfulness and benevolent kindness—His loyal love that endures even when humanity fails. Declaring that this ḥesed is "good" emphasizes its inherent moral excellence and life-giving quality. Complementing this is "mercy" (raḥamim), a deep, visceral compassion that often carries maternal overtones, signifying God's profound, tender pity for His suffering children. The psalmist implores God to act "according to" this "abundant" mercy, meaning in proportion to its boundless nature, suggesting that the requested intervention is fully consistent with God’s deepest emotional and covenantal commitments.

The double imperative, "Answer me" and "turn to me," underscores the urgency and depth of the petitioner's need for direct, personal divine engagement. "Answer me" calls for an active response—a hearing and intervening. "Turn to me" is a request for God to manifest His presence, to incline His favor, to no longer hide His face, and to deliver the afflicted. This verse embodies profound theological truth: effective prayer appeals to God's nature, not human righteousness. It becomes a model for all believers, facing affliction, to ground their requests in God’s unfailing character.

For practical usage, this verse encourages believers to:

• Anchor their prayers not in their worthiness, but in God's revealed character of love and mercy.
• Persevere in prayer, knowing that God's compassion is abundant and never runs dry.
• Seek God's attentive presence and intervention in times of distress.