Psalm 109:21 shows David’s hopeful confidence that God’s kindness and deliverance are anchored in His unchanging goodness.
But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me (v.21). These words reveal the psalmist David—who reigned as Israel’s king from about 1010 BC to 970 BC—calling upon God’s steadfast and covenantal love in a moment of grave distress. Though Psalm 109 is often identified as an “imprecatory” psalm (where the psalmist pours out his anguish over injustice), this specific verse shows David humbly asking the Lord to extend His kindness not merely for David’s benefit, but “for Your name’s sake,” emphasizing his desire that God’s character be glorified in delivering him.
David’s plea underscores his profound trust in God’s unfailing goodness. When he says, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake (v.21), he looks beyond his own ability to rescue himself. Instead, he appeals to the faithful, covenant-keeping nature of the Lord—invoking the very reputation of God before all. David rests in the assurance that the Lord’s actions toward His people flow from divine lovingkindness, a trait so great that it covers and redeems human frailty and shortcomings.
He then prays, Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me (v.21). In this cry, David connects God’s goodness to His power of rescue. The psalmist believes that deliverance is an expression of God’s deep compassion and everlasting commitment to those who participate in His covenant. By binding together God’s nature and his personal need, David models how believers can cling to the Lord’s character as the ultimate source of help.
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Psalms 109:21 meaning
But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me (v.21). These words reveal the psalmist David—who reigned as Israel’s king from about 1010 BC to 970 BC—calling upon God’s steadfast and covenantal love in a moment of grave distress. Though Psalm 109 is often identified as an “imprecatory” psalm (where the psalmist pours out his anguish over injustice), this specific verse shows David humbly asking the Lord to extend His kindness not merely for David’s benefit, but “for Your name’s sake,” emphasizing his desire that God’s character be glorified in delivering him.
David’s plea underscores his profound trust in God’s unfailing goodness. When he says, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake (v.21), he looks beyond his own ability to rescue himself. Instead, he appeals to the faithful, covenant-keeping nature of the Lord—invoking the very reputation of God before all. David rests in the assurance that the Lord’s actions toward His people flow from divine lovingkindness, a trait so great that it covers and redeems human frailty and shortcomings.
He then prays, Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me (v.21). In this cry, David connects God’s goodness to His power of rescue. The psalmist believes that deliverance is an expression of God’s deep compassion and everlasting commitment to those who participate in His covenant. By binding together God’s nature and his personal need, David models how believers can cling to the Lord’s character as the ultimate source of help.