Psalms 25:16

16 Turn to me, Lord, and be merciful to me, because I am lonely and weak.

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 Lord is the friend of those who obey him and he affirms his covenant with them.
15 I look to the Lord for help at all times, and he rescues me from danger.
16 Turn to me, Lord, and be merciful to me, because I am lonely and weak.
17 Relieve me of my worries and save me from all my troubles.
18 Consider my distress and suffering and forgive all my sins.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.