Psalms 25:18 — Word Study
WLCרְאֵ֣ה עָ֭נְיִי וַעֲמָלִ֑י וְ֝שָׂ֗א לְכָל־ חַטֹּאותָֽי׃
BSAConsiderrâʼâh [look upon, see] my afflictionʻŏnîy [trouble, misery] and troubleʻâmâl [hard work, pain] and take awaynâsâʼ [lift, forgive] allkôl [everything, every single one] my sinschaṭṭâʼâh [guilt, punishment for sin]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| רְאֵ֣ה | consider | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| עָ֭נְיִי | affliction my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַעֲמָלִ֑י | and trouble my | Conjunction, noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| וְ֝שָׂ֗א | and forgive | Conjunction, verb qal imperative second person masculine singular |
| לְכָל־ | to all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| חַטֹּאותָֽי׃ | sins my | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins. |
| KJV | Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. |
| ASV | Consider mine affliction and my travail; And forgive all my sins. |
| YLT | See mine affliction and my misery, And bear with all my sins. |
| WEB | Consider my affliction and my travail. Forgive all my sins. |
| BBE | Give thought to my grief and my pain; and take away all my sins. |
The translations agree on the meaning of רְאֵ֣ה as consider.
The verse contains a main clause with a direct plea followed by a conjunction that introduces a second imperative request.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָאָה
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 25:18
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 Prayer for Helpgenerated
Psalm 25:18 is part of a heartfelt plea where the psalmist expresses his distress and seeks God's intervention. The surrounding verses emphasize a deep sense of trouble and the need for divine assistance, highlighting the relationship between human suffering and God's mercy. This is a common theme in the Psalms, where individuals cry out for help in times of need.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:132–153 | Turn to me and show me mercy, as You do to those who love Your name. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 1:11 | And she made a vow, pleading, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.” |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 16:12 | Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” |
| 4 | Lamentations 5:1 | Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace! |
| 5 | Luke 1:25 | “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רְאֵ֣ה, re.'Ehgenerated
The verb רָאָה (ra'ah) means 'to see' and implies more than mere sight; it encompasses understanding and consideration. This imperative form calls for God to actively look upon the psalmist's plight, indicating a desire for God's awareness and involvement in his suffering.
This word is often used in contexts where God's attention and action are sought. The psalmist's request for God to 'consider' his affliction is a plea for compassionate engagement, showing trust in God's ability to see and respond to human suffering.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of רְאֵ֣ה as consider.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb רְאֵ֣ה governs the entire verse, commanding God to see the psalmist's affliction and trouble. This is followed by a conjunction that introduces the second action, וְ֝שָׂ֗א, which calls for forgiveness of sins.
The structure emphasizes the psalmist's urgent plea, with the two main actions — seeing and forgiving — clearly delineated, reflecting the depth of his distress and his reliance on God's mercy.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רְאֵ֣ה as ἰδὲ (ide), meaning 'behold' or 'look'. This choice suggests a more immediate and direct call for attention, highlighting the urgency of the psalmist's request.
This rendering aligns with the original Hebrew intent but may carry a slightly more emphatic tone, indicating the psalmist's desperation for God’s notice.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 25:18 is a prayer where the psalmist asks God to see his suffering and to remove his sins. This reflects a deep need for divine help and forgiveness, common themes in the Psalms.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The term 'affliction' refers to the psalmist's state of suffering or hardship, encompassing both physical and emotional distress.
The psalmist seeks God's attention and intervention in his life, trusting that God will respond to his suffering.
Forgiveness is crucial for the psalmist as it signifies relief from guilt and the restoration of a right relationship with God.
This verse is similar to other psalms that express personal distress and the need for God's mercy, reflecting a common human experience.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced affliction in my own life, and how have I sought God's help?
- How can I better understand the nature of my sins and the importance of seeking forgiveness?
- What does it mean to me to know that God sees my struggles?
- How can I support others who are going through affliction, as this psalmist seeks help?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo, referenced this verse to discuss humility and unity in the face of personal suffering.
"See my humility and my travail" [Psalms 25:18]. See my humility, whereby I never, in the boast of righteousness, break off from unity;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 25 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 25:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLook upon mine affliction and my pain,.... The "affliction" was the rebellion of his subjects against him, at the head of which was his own son; and the "pain" was the uneasiness of mind it gave him;
Read John Gill on Psalms 25 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLook upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Forgive all my sins ( naasa' (H5375)) - literally, 'bear all my sins;' take them away by the atoning Victim bearing them on Him (Isaiah 53:4; Isaiah 53:12).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 25 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLook upon with compassion, as ,8 Psalms 31:7 106:44. My sins; the procuring and continuing causes of my trouble.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 25 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.Ver. 18. Look upon mine affliction and my pain] My griefs, under which I groan and labour, My concupiscence, saith Aben Ezra, against which I strive, but prevail not. And forgive all my sin] Heb. lift up, take away; lay them on the true scape goat, on that Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, John 1:29.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 25 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. Look upon mine affliction] See my distressed condition, and thy eye will affect thy heart. Forgive all my sins.] My sins are the cause of all my sufferings; forgive these. This is the verse which should begin with the letter koph; but, instead of it, we have ר resh both here, where it should not be, and in the next verse where it should be. Dr. Kennicott reads קומה kumah, "arise," and Houbigant, קצר ketsar, "cut short.." The word which began with ק koph has been long lost out of the verse, as every version seems to have read that which now stands in the Hebrew text.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 25 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. Look upon &c.] Behold my affliction and my travail. Cp. Psalms 9:13. and forgive] Lit. take away, sin being regarded as a burden. Cp. Psalms 32:1. This verse ought to begin with the letter Qôph, and various emendations have been proposed with the object of restoring it. The simplest change is to add arise (Psalms 3:7) at the beginning of the verse.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 25 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLook upon mine affliction and my pain - See Psalms 25:16. This is a repetition of earnest pleading - as if God still turned away from him, and did not deign to regard him.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 25 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible15-21. The psalmist returns to agonizing prayer, mingled with confession of sin, a special reference to the cruel hatred and violence of his enemies, the depth of his distress, and his sole reliance
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 25 →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
Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins.
Consider my affliction and my travail. Forgive all my sins.
Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins.
See my pain and suffering! Forgive all my sins!
Tyndale line
Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
Consider mine affliction and my travail; And forgive all my sins.
Consider mine affliction and my travail; and forgive all my sins.
Look upon my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
Looke vpon mine affliction and my trauel, and forgiue all my sinnes.
Strictly literal
Consider mine affliction and my travail, and forgive all my sins.
See mine affliction and my misery, And bear with all my sins.
See my affliction and my misery, || And bear with all my sins.
Look on my misery and my trouble; and forgive all my sins.
See my affliction and my toils; forgive all my sins.
Simplified
See all my troubles and trials. Please forgive my sins.
Give thought to my grief and my pain; and take away all my sins.
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 and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse. The Septuagint matches five of the six Hebrew words, indicating a close relationship between the two texts, though the word order differs.
רְאֵ֣ה עָ֭נְיִי וַעֲמָלִ֑י וְ֝שָׂ֗א לְכָל־ חַטֹּאותָֽי׃
5 of the 6 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.
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 25:18
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.
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
kon-sid'-er: In the New Testament the force of the word is brought out most vividly in Mt 6:26 (katamanthano), where it means to "examine closely," as though the observer had to bend down for this purpose, and in Lu 12:27; Heb 10:24 (katanoeo, to "observe well"), while in Heb 13:7 the anatheoreo, "look up toward" or "look again at" is consistent with the reverential regard commended in the context. Used in the Old Testament for a variety of Hebrew terms, signifying inspecting (Pr 31:16), examining (Le 13:13), giving serious thoughts to (
עֳנִי (oniy) refers to affliction, poverty, and misery. It is derived from the root word עָנָה (H6031), which relates to depression or trouble. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to suffering and hardship.
עֳנִי n.m. affliction, poverty
base
H6040 עֳנִי affliction, poverty
6040 `oniy on-ee'
from 6031; depression, i.e. misery: --afflicted(-ion),
trouble.
see HEBREW for 06031
עֳנִי (o.ni) — affliction.
1) affliction, poverty, misery
1a) affliction
1b) poverty
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
עָמָל (amal) refers to trouble, labor, or toil. It encompasses a range of meanings including physical and mental effort, as well as sorrow and mischief. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of wearing effort and can imply grievance or wickedness. It appears in contexts related to suffering and toil.
עָמָל n.m. f. trouble, labor, toil
trouble (∥ sorrow): one’s own suffering
trouble, mischief, as done to others
toil, labour (late in Heb.)
base
H5999 עָמָל trouble, labor, toil
5999 `amal aw-mawl'
from 5998; toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of
body or mind:--grievance(-vousness), iniquity, labour,
mischief, miserable(-sery), pain(-ful), perverseness, sorrow,
toil, travail, trouble, wearisome, wickedness.
see HEBREW for 05998
עָמָל (a.mal) — trouble.
1) toil, trouble, labour
1a) trouble
1b) trouble, mischief
1c) toil, labour
Conj | N-cs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common both singular construct · suffixHC/Ncbsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word נָשָׂא (nasa') means to lift, carry, or take, encompassing a wide range of applications both literal and figurative. It can refer to actions like bearing burdens, taking away, or being exalted. The entries indicate various forms and uses, including the ability to lift oneself up or cause others to bear iniquity. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָשָׂא 656 vb. lift, carry, take
Qal
lift, lift up
Bear, carry
Take, take away
Niph.
be lifted up
refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment
be borne, carried
be taken away, carried off
Pi.
lift up = exalt
fig. = desire, long
carry, bear continuously
take, take away
Hithp. lift oneself up
Hiph.
cause one to bear iniquity
appar. cause to bring, have brought
base
H5375 נָשָׂא lift, carry, take .. lift, lift up
. Bear, carry
. Take, take away
. . be lifted up
. refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment
. be borne, carried
. be taken away, carried off
. . lift up = exalt
. fig. = desire, long
. carry, bear continuously
. take, take away
. lift oneself up
. . cause one to bear iniquity
. appar. cause to bring, have brought
5375 nasa' naw-saw'
or nacah (Psalm 4 : 6 (7)) {naw-saw'}; a primitive root; to
lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and
figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows):--accept, advance,
arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring
(forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease,
exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further,
give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade,
lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, X needs, obtain,
pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare,
stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X utterly, wear, yield.
see HEBREW for 04
see HEBREW for 06
see HEBREW for 07
נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: raise.
: raise/take_up
1) to lift, bear up, carry, take
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lift, lift up
1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted
1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up
1b3) to be borne, be carried
1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist
1c2) to desire, long (fig.)
1c3) to carry, bear continuously
1c4) to take, take away
1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)
1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: bear.
: look/lift(eyes)
1) to lift, bear up, carry, take
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lift, lift up
1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singularHC/Vqv2ms
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah) refers to sin and encompasses various aspects such as the condition of sin, guilt, punishment, and sin-offering. It can denote both the act of sinning and the consequences, including purification from ceremonial uncleanness. The term is built from the root word for offense and is used in contexts relating to sin and its expiation.
H2403a חַטָּאָה sin, sin-offering(?) . sin
. sin-offering
H2403b חַטָּאת sin, sin-offering . sin
. condition of sin, guilt of sin
. punishment for sin
. sin-offering
. purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
2403 chatta'ah khat-taw-aw'
or chattacth {khat-tawth'}; from 2398; an offence (sometimes
habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or
expiation; also (concretely) an offender:--punishment (of
sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).
see HEBREW for 02398
חַטָּאָה (chat.ta.ah) — sin.
sin, sinful thing
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin.
: sin
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: sin offering.
: sin_offering
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: punishment.
: punishment/purification
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp1bs