Psalms 40:11
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֗ה
from me O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
from me O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִכְלָ֣א
Withhold
H3607
תִכְלָ֣א
Withhold
Strong's:
H3607
Word #:
4 of 10
to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
חַסְדְּךָ֥
let thy lovingkindness
H2617
חַסְדְּךָ֥
let thy lovingkindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
7 of 10
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
וַ֝אֲמִתְּךָ֗
and thy truth
H571
וַ֝אֲמִתְּךָ֗
and thy truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
8 of 10
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
Cross References
Psalms 43:3O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.Psalms 57:3He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.Psalms 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.Psalms 61:7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.Proverbs 20:28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.Psalms 69:16Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.Psalms 69:13But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.Hebrews 5:7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Historical Context
This prayer pattern--recounting past faithfulness before asking for continued help--appears throughout the Psalter, teaching believers to ground petitions in God's proven character rather than making demands based on presumed worthiness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does remembering God's past tender mercies shape your current prayers?
- What connection exists between publicly declaring God's faithfulness and receiving His continued protection?
Analysis & Commentary
David transitions from declaration to petition, asking God not to withhold His 'tender mercies' (rachamim, from the Hebrew word for 'womb,' suggesting motherly compassion). The parallel request for lovingkindness and truth to 'continually preserve me' connects his public testimony with his ongoing need for divine protection.