Psalms 6:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Come back to me and rescue me because of your steadfast love.
The Context of Psalms 6:4
The pivot from complaint to petition, grounded in God's character.
What Does Psalms 6:4 Mean?
'Return' suggests that God's perceived absence is temporary; the psalmist assumes a covenantal relationship where God is bound to respond. The three imperative verbs (return, deliver, save) press the request home. Crucially, the appeal is not to the psalmist's worthiness but to God's mercies (hesed), His covenant loyalty.
This verse pivots from describing suffering to claiming promise. The psalmist appeals to God's character, not his own condition. In Hebrew thought, mercies can be plural because they are renewed and manifested in each specific situation—God's loving-kindness is both eternal principle and active intervention.
Psalms 6:4 in the Original Language
mercies (חֲסָדִים, hasadim) — plural of hesed, covenant loyalty and steadfast love; includes both protection and compassionate care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 6:4
What does Psalms 6:4 mean?
Come back to me and rescue me because of your steadfast love.
What is the context of Psalms 6:4?
The pivot from complaint to petition, grounded in God's character.