Psalms 9:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist pleads for mercy, asking God to see his suffering and remember His past deliverances.
The Context of Psalms 9:13
Personal plea for God's compassion and reminder of past deliverance from mortal danger.
What Does Psalms 9:13 Mean?
The plea 'Have mercy upon me' turns personal. The psalmist moves from statements about God's justice to his own crisis. He asks not only for mercy but for consideration—God's attentive awareness of his specific trouble and its source: enemies who hate him.
'Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death' recalls past deliverances. The phrase 'gates of death' suggests nearness to destruction; God has already rescued this person from the brink. This memory anchors the plea: a God who saved before will save again.
Psalms 9:13 in the Original Language
gates of death (שְׁאוֹל, sheol) — the grave, the realm of the dead; standing at its gates means on the very edge of destruction or hopelessness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 9:13
What does Psalms 9:13 mean?
The psalmist pleads for mercy, asking God to see his suffering and remember His past deliverances.
What is the context of Psalms 9:13?
Personal plea for God's compassion and reminder of past deliverance from mortal danger.