Psalms 25:16

16 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 The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him; And he will show them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward Jehovah; For he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: Oh bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Consider mine affliction and my travail; And forgive all my sins.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.