Psalms 25:16
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
Original Language Analysis
פְּנֵה
Turn
H6437
פְּנֵה
Turn
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
1 of 7
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וְחָנֵּ֑נִי
thee unto me and have mercy
H2603
וְחָנֵּ֑נִי
thee unto me and have mercy
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָחִ֖יד
upon me for I am desolate
H3173
יָחִ֖יד
upon me for I am desolate
Strong's:
H3173
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, united, i.e., sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replaced)
Cross References
Psalms 86:16O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.Micah 7:19He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.Psalms 143:4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.Daniel 9:17Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.
Historical Context
David's life included extended periods of isolation, persecution, and hardship. These experiences produced prayers that sustained suffering saints throughout history. Honest lament before God characterizes biblical piety.
Questions for Reflection
- How does acknowledging your 'desolation' before God open the way for His mercy?
- When do you most need God to 'turn unto you' with focused attention?
Analysis & Commentary
The cry 'Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted' expresses complete dependence on divine compassion. 'Turn thee unto me' asks God to focus His attention on the sufferer. Acknowledging desolation and affliction demonstrates honest self-assessment. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's mercy is the only hope for the afflicted—human solutions fail, but divine grace suffices. This prayer models humble supplication from a position of weakness.