Psalms 86:16

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.

Psalms 86:16 in Other Translations

16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.

16 Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant.

16 So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child!

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me. Give Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your female servant.

Psalms 86:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 86:16

O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me
For it seems the Lord had turned away from him, and had hid his face, and withheld the manifestation of his grace and mercy from him, and had not yielded him the help and assistance he expected; and therefore entreats that he would turn again to him, and show him his face and favour, and be merciful to him:

give thy strength unto thy servant;
spiritual strength, strength in his soul, to exercise grace, perform duty, bear the cross, and stand up against all enemies, and hold out to the end: this is God's gift; and the psalmist pleads his relation to him as his servant, not merely by creation, but by grace; this is interpreted by the Jews of the King Messiah ^F21:

and save the son of thine handmaid;
out of the hands of those that were risen up against him; see ( Psalms 119:94 ) . Some think this has a special reference to Christ, who was made of a woman, called an handmaid, ( Luke 1:48 ) , born of a virgin, the son of Mary: Arama says David uses the word "handmaid", because he sprung from Ruth the Moabitess.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Zohar in Gen. fol. 58. 4. & 59. 1.

Psalms 86:16 In-Context

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you.

15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 6:4
• 2. S Psalms 9:13
• 3. Psalms 18:1
• 4. Psalms 116:16