Psalms 9:13

Authorized King James Version

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

Word-by-Word Analysis

חָֽנְנֵ֬נִי

H2603

Have mercy

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

upon me O LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

רְאֵ֣ה

H7200

consider

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עָ֭נְיִי

H6040

my trouble

depression, i.e., misery

מִשֹּׂנְאָ֑י

H8130

which I suffer of them that hate

to hate (personally)

מְ֝רוֹמְמִ֗י

H7311

me thou that liftest me up

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

מִשַּׁ֥עֲרֵי

H8179

from the gates

an opening, i.e., door or gate

מָֽוֶת׃

H4194

of death

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

Analysis

This verse develops the divine love theme central to Psalms. The concept of mercy reflects the development of divine love within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of divine love, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of theology proper and the doctrine of God?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on mercy address the problem of evil and suffering in light of God's goodness, and how should the church respond?
How does the divine love theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?