Psalms 86:16
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
Original Language Analysis
פְּנֵ֥ה
O turn
H6437
פְּנֵ֥ה
O turn
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
1 of 9
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וְחָ֫נֵּ֥נִי
unto me and have mercy
H2603
וְחָ֫נֵּ֥נִי
unto me and have mercy
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
תְּנָֽה
upon me give
H5414
תְּנָֽה
upon me give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 9
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עֻזְּךָ֥
thy strength
H5797
עֻזְּךָ֥
thy strength
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
5 of 9
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
וְ֝הוֹשִׁ֗יעָה
and save
H3467
וְ֝הוֹשִׁ֗יעָה
and save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
Cross References
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.Ephesians 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Psalms 116:16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.Psalms 25:16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.Colossians 1:11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;Psalms 84:5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.Psalms 69:16Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.Psalms 119:94I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.Psalms 119:132Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.Psalms 90:13Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
Historical Context
In ancient households, children born to a master's servants belonged to the household permanently, unlike hired workers or slaves who might be released. David uses this imagery to claim covenant relationship with God—he's not a hired hand but family.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to ask God to "turn toward" you when you feel he's looking away?
- How does identifying as "son of your handmaid" (household member by birth) transform your prayer confidence?
- In what area of life do you most need God's strength imparted to you right now?
Analysis & Commentary
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me (פְּנֵה־אֵלַי וְחָנֵּנִי, peneh-elai ve-channeni)—Panah means turn, face toward; chanan means show favor, be gracious, have mercy. Give thy strength unto thy servant (תְּנָה־עֻזְּךָ לְעַבְדֶּךָ, tenah-uzzkha le-avdekha)—Oz means strength, power, might. And save the son of thine handmaid (וְהוֹשִׁיעָה לְבֶן־אֲמָתֶךָ, ve-hoshi'ah le-ven-amatekha)—Yasha means save, deliver; "son of your handmaid" means a homeborn servant, one belonging to the household by birth.
David uses three petitions: turn toward me, give strength, save me. The final phrase "son of thine handmaid" emphasizes belonging—David isn't a stranger asking favors but a household member by birth right. This prefigures Christian adoption language (Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 4:4-7). We approach God not as outsiders but as family.