Psalms 25:16

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

Psalms 25:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 25:16

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me
Or "look unto me", or "upon me" F6; which suggests that the Lord had turned himself, and hid his face from him; and expresses a desire that he would look upon him with a look of love and mercy, and arise to help and deliver him out of the hands of his enemies; he pleads no merits nor works of righteousness of his, but casts himself upon the mercy of God;

for I [am] desolate and afflicted;
or "alone and poor" F7; not that he was quite alone, and had none with him; for though he was obliged to quit his palace, and the city of Jerusalem, yet he was accompanied by his servants, and a large number of his people; and could not be poor, in a literal sense, being king of Israel; yet he put no trust in men, nor in riches, but wholly depended on the Lord, as if he had none with him, nor anything to subsist with: and his case was indeed very deplorable, and called for pity and assistance; his own son was risen up against him, and the hearts of the men of Israel went after him; and he was obliged to flee from the city, and leave his house and family.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (yla hnp) "respice ad me", Montanus, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius
F7 (ynew dyhy) "solitarius et pauper", Junius & Tremellius; "et miser", Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth.

Psalms 25:16 In-Context

14 Nun The secret of the LORD is for those that fear him, and he will show them his covenant.
15 Samech Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Ain Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 Tzaddi The troubles of my heart are enlarged; O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Resh Look upon my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010