Psalms 109:26 — Word Study
WLCעָ֭זְרֵנִי יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑י ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵ֣נִי כְחַסְדֶּֽךָ׃
BSAHelp meʻâzar [assist, come to the aid of] O LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah] my Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the supreme God] save meyâshaʻ [rescue, deliver] according to Your loving devotionchêçêd [merciful, kindness, mercy]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עָ֭זְרֵנִי | help me | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| יְהוָ֣ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| אֱלֹהָ֑י | God my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵ֣נִי | save me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| כְחַסְדֶּֽךָ׃ | according to covenant loyalty your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Help me, O LORD my God; save me according to Your loving devotion. |
| KJV | Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy: |
| ASV | Help me, O Jehovah my God; Oh save me according to thy lovingkindness: |
| YLT | Help me, O Jehovah my God, Save me, according to Thy kindness. |
| WEB | Help me, Yahweh, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness; |
| BBE | Give me help, O Lord my God; in your mercy be my saviour; |
The translations agree on the key terms in this verse, reflecting the psalmist's urgent requests.
The verse consists of two main clauses, each expressing a distinct plea for help and salvation.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 109:26
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Plea for Helpgenerated
Psalm 109:26 expresses a deep cry for assistance from the LORD, highlighting the psalmist's vulnerability amidst scorn and accusations. This verse is part of a larger lament where the psalmist seeks God's intervention, trusting in His loving devotion. The surrounding verses illustrate the psalmist's plight and the desire for divine acknowledgment and support.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 40:12 | For evils without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed within me. |
| 2 | Psalm 119:86 | All Your commandments are faithful; I am persecuted without cause—help me! |
| 3 | Hebrews 5:7 | During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. |
| 4 | Psalm 57:1 | Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed. |
| 5 | Psalm 69:13–16 | But my prayer to You, O LORD, is for a time of favor. In Your abundant loving devotion, O God, answer me with Your sure salvation. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָזְרֵנִי, 'A.ze.re.nigenerated
The verb עָזַר (azar) means to help or aid, emphasizing God's protective assistance. This word is often found in contexts where the psalmist expresses trust in God's help, particularly in times of distress.
The imperative form here indicates a direct appeal for immediate assistance. The psalmist's use of the second-person suffix personalizes the request, making it a heartfelt plea to God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses help and save to convey the psalmist's urgent requests.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs עָ֭זְרֵנִי (help me) and ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵ֣נִי (save me) govern the main clauses, with the rest of the verse providing context and qualifiers. The structure emphasizes the urgency of the psalmist's requests.
The order of the phrases places the emphasis on the actions of helping and saving, which are central to the psalmist's appeal to God.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עָזְרֵנִי as μοι (to me), indicating a personal request for help. This choice reflects the intimate nature of the plea.
For ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵ֣נִי, the Greek με (me) similarly maintains the direct appeal for salvation, reinforcing the psalmist's urgent need.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 109:26 is a heartfelt prayer where the psalmist asks the LORD for help and salvation, relying on God's loving kindness. This verse captures the essence of seeking divine assistance in times of trouble.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is expressing a deep need for divine assistance in the face of scorn and accusations, trusting in God's protective nature.
The psalmist refers to God as 'LORD' and 'my God', emphasizing a personal relationship and reliance on God's character.
The term 'loving devotion' highlights God's merciful and faithful nature, which the psalmist appeals to for salvation.
This verse is part of a larger lament where the psalmist seeks recognition and help from God amidst suffering and injustice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's help and salvation?
- How can I better understand and appreciate God's loving devotion towards me?
- What does it mean to rely on God's kindness in difficult times?
- How can I express my needs to God as the psalmist does in this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers have commented on this verse, using it to illustrate themes of divine assistance and acknowledgment of God's hand in human affairs.
"And let them know how that this is Your Hand, and that Thou, Lord, hast made it" [Psalms 109:26].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 109 →
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 109:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHelp me, O Lord my God,.... Jehovah the Father is here addressed, who is the God of Christ, as Christ is man; who formed him, supported him, and glorified him; and whom Christ loved, believed in,
Read John Gill on Psalms 109 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHelp me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy: Help me, O Lord ... That they may know that this is thy hand - "that this" work of delivering me "is" the doing of 'thine hand' (Psalms 59:13).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 109 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 109:26 Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:Ver. 26. Help me, O Lord] Prayer, like those arrows of deliverance, must be multiplied, as our trouble is lengthened and lieth on.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 109 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26–31. Repeated prayers for help, ending with calm assurance that the end of suffering is at hand.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 109 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHelp me, O Lord my God ... - Stand by me; interpose.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 109 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Help me, O LORD my God; save me according to Your loving devotion.
Help me, Yahweh, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness;
Help me, O LORD my God; save me according to Your loving devotion.
Help me, O Lord my God! Because you are faithful to me, deliver me!
Tyndale line
Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
Help me, O Jehovah my God; Oh save me according to thy lovingkindness:
Help me, O LORD my God; O save me according to thy mercy:
Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
Helpe me, O Lord my God: saue me according to thy mercie.
Strictly literal
Help me, Jehovah my God; save me according to thy loving-kindness:
Help me, O Jehovah my God, Save me, according to Thy kindness.
Help me, O YHWH my God, || Save me, according to Your kindness.
Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to thy kindness:
Help me, Yahweh my God; save me by your covenant faithfulness.
Simplified
Help me, Lord my God; save me because of your trustworthy love.
Give me help, O Lord my God; in your mercy be my saviour;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint in meaning, as both convey the psalmist's plea for help and salvation. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the core elements of this verse, although some words are partially restored.
עָ֭זְרֵנִי יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑י ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵ֣נִי כְחַסְדֶּֽךָ׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[עזר׳ני] [יהוה] [אלה׳י] הושיע׳ני [כחסד׳ך]
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
עוזר׳ני יהוה [אלוה׳י]
3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 2 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 109:26
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to help or succour. It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of surrounding or protecting. The entries indicate its use in various forms: Qal (to help), Niphal (to be helped), and Hiphil (to help). The word captures the essence of providing support or aid.
[עָזַר] 82 vb. help, succour
Qal help
Niph. I am helped
Hiph. v. Qal.
base
H5826 [עָזַר] help, succour
5826 `azar aw-zar'
a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:--help,
succour.
עָזַר (a.zar) — to help.
1) to help, succour, support
1a) (Qal) to help
1b) (Niphal) to be helped
1c) (Hiphil) to help
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sp1bs
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs
יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).
[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.
Niph.
be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
be saved in battle, victorious
Hiph.
deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
save from moral troubles
give victory to
base
H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
. be saved in battle, victorious
. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
. save from moral troubles
. give victory to
3467 yasha` yaw-shah'
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.
(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or
succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,
preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,
save(-iour), get victory.
יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.
1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sp1bs
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.
חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness
of man:
kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
lovely appearance
of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
base
חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach
base
H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
. lovely appearance
. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach
2617 checed kheh'-sed
from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:
rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,
good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful
(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
see HEBREW for 02616
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.
goodness, kindness, faithfulness
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.
a reproach, shame
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms