Psalms 25:6
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
Original Language Analysis
זְכֹר
Remember
H2142
זְכֹר
Remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
יְ֭הוָה
O LORD
H3068
יְ֭הוָה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַחֲסָדֶ֑יךָ
and thy lovingkindnesses
H2617
וַחֲסָדֶ֑יךָ
and thy lovingkindnesses
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
4 of 7
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 103:17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;Colossians 3:12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;Luke 1:50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.Luke 1:78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,Isaiah 63:15Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?Psalms 98:3He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.Jeremiah 33:11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.2 Corinthians 1:3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Historical Context
Israel's liturgy constantly rehearsed God's past mercies (Exodus, wilderness provision, conquest) to bolster faith for present needs. This practice of 'remembering' God's attributes anchored hope when circumstances looked hopeless.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's past mercy toward you ground confidence for present needs?
- What does it mean to appeal to God's 'tender mercies' in prayer?
Analysis & Commentary
The plea 'Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses' asks God to act according to His covenant character. 'Tender mercies' (rachamim) evokes the compassion of a parent; 'lovingkindnesses' (chasadim) refers to covenant loyalty. 'For they have been ever of old' grounds the petition in God's eternal, unchanging nature. Reformed theology emphasizes immutability: God's character doesn't change, so His past mercy guarantees future mercy toward His people. Prayer appeals to God's revealed character.