Psalms 119:132
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Original Language Analysis
פְּנֵה
Look
H6437
פְּנֵה
Look
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
1 of 6
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וְחָנֵּ֑נִי
thou upon me and be merciful
H2603
וְחָנֵּ֑נִי
thou upon me and be merciful
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
כְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
unto me as thou usest
H4941
כְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
unto me as thou usest
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
Cross References
Psalms 106:4Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;Psalms 119:124Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.Psalms 25:16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.Psalms 25:18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.1 Samuel 1:11And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
Historical Context
The priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 similarly prays, 'The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.' God's 'face' represents His presence, favor, and relational engagement. To seek God's face was central to Hebrew piety (2 Chr 7:14).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to ask God to 'look upon' you—are you comfortable under His gaze?
- How does God's established pattern of mercy toward those who love His name give you confidence in prayer?
- Do you love God's 'name' (His revealed character and reputation) or merely desire His blessings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me (פְּנֵה־אֵלַי וְחָנֵּנִי, pneh-elai vechoneni)—Panah (turn, look) implies God's deliberate attention; chanan (be gracious, show favor) appears 13 times in Psalm 119. The request is for God's face to turn toward the petitioner with merciful regard, reversing divine hiddenness.
As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name (כְּמִשְׁפָּט לְאֹהֲבֵי שְׁמֶךָ, k'mishpat l'ohavei shemekha)—Mishpat here means 'custom, ordinance, established practice.' The psalmist appeals to God's consistent pattern of showing mercy to those who love His name. Divine character creates covenant expectation.