Psalms 69:16

Verse

Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.

American Standard Version (1901)

Answer me, O Jehovah; for thy lovingkindness is good: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies turn thou unto me.

Bible in Basic English

Give an answer to my words, O Lord; for your mercy is good: be turned to me, because of your great pity.

Free Bible Version

Please answer my prayers, Lord, for you are good and love me with your trustworthy love; because of your kindness, please help me.

Geneva Bible 1599

Heare me, O Lord, for thy louing kindnes is good: turne vnto me according to ye multitude of thy tender mercies.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

Answer me, Adonai , for your cheshed ·loving-kindness· is good. According to the multitude of your tender racham · merciful love·, turn to me.

Translation for Translators

O Yahweh, answer my prayer and help me because you are good and love me faithfully.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Answer me, Yahweh, for your covenant faithfulness is good; because your mercies for me are many, turn to me.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

Answer me, Yahweh, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me.

Young's Literal Translation

Answer me, O Jehovah, for good [is] Thy kindness, According to the abundance Of Thy mercies turn Thou unto me,

Context

The Waters Are up to My Neck

¹⁵Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me. ¹⁶Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion. ¹⁷Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!

Summary

In this verse, the psalmist expresses his deep longing for God's presence and deliverance in the midst of overwhelming troubles. He acknowledges his own unworthiness and the weight of his distress, yet he appeals to God's steadfast love and abundant mercy. The psalmist's plea reflects a humble heart that seeks refuge in God's faithfulness and salvation. This verse serves as a reminder of the believer's dependence on God's grace and the assurance that God hears the cries of His people in times of need. It encourages trust in God's unfailing love and power to rescue and restore His children.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

These earnest terms are often used, and the address to God, as indifferent or averse, is found in Psa 3:7; Psa 22:24; Psa 27:9, &c.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good,.... His lovingkindness to him, not only as his Son, but as Mediator; and which is a love of complacency and delight, and was from eternity, and will be to eternity: and this is "good", as appears by the effects and evidences of it; such as putting all things into his hands, showing him all that he does, concealing and keeping nothing from him, appointing him to be the Saviour of his people, the Head of the church, and the Judge of the world; and this lovingkindness shown to him is a reason why he might expect to be heard by his God and Father; see Joh 17:24; and the loving kindness of God to his people, and the members of Christ, is also good: it arises from the good will and pleasure of God; it is pleasantly and delightfully good to the saints, who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and have had his love shed abroad in their hearts; it is profitably good unto them; it has prepared and laid up good things for them, both for time and eternity, even all the blessings of grace and goodness: it has promised good things unto them in covenant, and it gives Christ, and all good things along with him; it has a good influence on the graces of the Spirit, faith, hope, and love, to encourage them; and engages believers to a cheerful obedience to all the divine commands; to which may be added the duration of it, it lasts for ever: and it is so good, that it is better than any temporal good thing without it; it is better than life, and all the comforts of it, Psa 63:3; turn unto me, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies; his divine Father had turned away his face from him, and turned his fury upon him; he had awoke his sword of justice against him, pointed it at him, and thrust it into him; and now, satisfaction being made, he desires he would turn unto him in a way of grace and favour; that he would have respect unto him, and look upon him with his paternal countenance, and in a kind and tender manner, as well pleased with him, and with his righteousness and sacrifice. Of the phrase, "according to the multitude of that tender mercies"; see Gill on Psa 51:1.