Psalms 25:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist cries out to God in his isolation and pain, asking for compassion.
The Context of Psalms 25:16
Desperate prayer from one in isolation and pain, appealing for God's attentive compassion.
What Does Psalms 25:16 Mean?
Desolate and afflicted—the psalmist describes his condition with stark honesty. Desolation suggests abandonment and isolation; affliction speaks of pain and distress. Rather than hiding this from God or appealing to his own strength, he names it plainly and makes it the ground of his plea.
The request for God to 'turn' toward him implies that the psalmist feels God's attention is elsewhere or withdrawn. By asking God to turn and have mercy, the psalmist invokes God's relational presence—the sense of being seen, cared for, and protected by the One who matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 25:16
What does Psalms 25:16 mean?
The psalmist cries out to God in his isolation and pain, asking for compassion.
What is the context of Psalms 25:16?
Desperate prayer from one in isolation and pain, appealing for God's attentive compassion.