Psalms 69:16
Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
Psalms 69:16
Verse 16 continues the psalmist’s appeal to God’s steadfast love (chesed) and mercy. “Lovingkindness” captures the steadfast, loyal, covenant faithfulness of God, a recurring theme in Psalms 69 and in the broader Psalter. The psalmist asks for God to turn toward him in light of God’s abundant mercy. The phrase “multitude of thy tender mercies” emphasizes not just mercy, but the abundance and constancy of God’s compassion. In the context of lament, the speaker appeals to what remains constant even when circumstances are volatile. The cultural backdrop includes a world where gods’ favor determined one’s status and safety; the psalmist’s confidence rests not in ritual or merit but in God’s character—an ethical, relational God who acts mercifully toward the distressed.
This verse anchors hope in God’s nature: mercy precedes action, and God’s kindness is vast and inexhaustible. It reframes suffering as something addressed by divine compassion, not simply human resilience. Theologically, it foregrounds the covenantal God who remains faithful across generations. It also shapes how we understand repentance and humility: the psalmist pleads not on personal merit but on God’s character. The mercy of God is the primary channel through which rescue and restoration come, a theme echoed in the bigger biblical narrative where mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). This verse invites believers to trust in God’s goodwill, even when deliverance appears delayed.
When life feels overwhelming, this verse invites you to pause and reflect on God’s loving, merciful nature. Practical steps:
- Begin with a posture of gratitude for God’s mercy that remains steady regardless of circumstance.
- Meditate on God’s character: keep a “mercy” list—moments you’ve experienced God’s kindness.
- Slow to anger, quick to seek mercy for others; extend compassion in your circles as a response to receiving mercy.
- Practice confessing honestly the need for divine mercy, paired with concrete actions (seeking help, counseling, or stepping into safer steps).
- Share your mercy story with someone you trust; it reinforces hope for both of you.
This verse reframes fear into a reliance on God’s tender compassion.
Cross-References: Psalm 36:7; Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 145:8-9; Exodus 34:6-7; Micah 7:18-19.