Psalms 25:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist appeals to God's long history of compassion and asks Him to remember it.
The Context of Psalms 25:6
Appeal to God's eternal character of compassion and covenant love.
What Does Psalms 25:6 Mean?
To ask God to 'remember' His mercies is not to refresh His memory but to invoke His character and prompt Him to act according to it. Tender mercies and lovingkindnesses are not new inventions but established patterns: God has shown them 'ever of old,' generation after generation. This grounds the present prayer in God's consistent nature.
The psalmist is essentially saying: You have always been merciful; you have always shown hesed (steadfast love and covenant loyalty). Therefore, act now as you have always acted. This appeal to precedent strengthens the prayer by pointing to evidence of God's character.
Psalms 25:6 in the Original Language
hesed (חֶסֶד), lovingkindness — steadfast covenant love that endures across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 25:6
What does Psalms 25:6 mean?
The psalmist appeals to God's long history of compassion and asks Him to remember it.
What is the context of Psalms 25:6?
Appeal to God's eternal character of compassion and covenant love.