Psalms 31:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks for God's favor and deliverance based on God's inherent compassion.
The Context of Psalms 31:16
A request for God's blessing and favor based on His compassionate nature.
What Does Psalms 31:16 Mean?
To have God's face shine upon someone is to experience His favor and blessing. The face represents God's presence and attention; for it to shine conveys warmth, approval, and active care. The image is drawn from priestly blessing language—the desire for God to turn toward the speaker with favor and protection. This is the restoration of intimate relationship; where the speaker felt forgotten and abandoned, he now asks for God's attentive, approving presence.
The phrase 'for thy mercies' sake' shifts the ground of petition from what the speaker deserves to what God's nature is. The speaker is not claiming to merit salvation through righteousness or good works, but appealing to God's fundamental character. God's mercies are His to give freely, and the speaker asks for deliverance as an expression of that compassionate nature. This approach recognizes human unworthiness while trusting in divine compassion.
Psalms 31:16 in the Original Language
hesed (חֶסֶד), 'mercies' — covenant loyalty, steadfast love, or mercy; refers to God's faithful and compassionate commitment to His people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 31:16
What does Psalms 31:16 mean?
The psalmist asks for God's favor and deliverance based on God's inherent compassion.
What is the context of Psalms 31:16?
A request for God's blessing and favor based on His compassionate nature.