Psalms 109:21

But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for the sake of Your name; deliver me by the goodness of Your loving devotion.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly after cursing his accusers (v. 20) and immediately before detailing his own poor and wounded state (v. 22).

The words — The Hebrew phrase לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמֶ֑/ךָ (le.Ma.'an she.Me./kha) literally translates to "for the sake of your name," establishing the basis of the plea.

The thread — This structural appeal appears in Psalms 25:11 and 31:3, where the speaker similarly grounds requests for forgiveness and guidance in divine honor rather than human merit.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that deliverance depends on God's faithful character, not on the petitioner's condition or worthiness.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְאַתָּ֤ה׀ve./'a.Tahand/ you יְה֘וִ֤הYah.wehO Yahweh אֲדֹנָ֗י'a.do.NaiO Lord עֲֽשֵׂה־'aseh-deal אִ֭תִּי'I.t/iwith/ me לְמַ֣עַןle.Ma.'anfor [the] sake of שְׁמֶ֑ךָshe.Me./khaname/ your כִּי־ki-for ט֥וֹבTov[is] good חַ֝סְדְּךָ֗chas.de./khacovenant loyalty/ your הַצִּילֵֽנִי׃ha.tzi.Le./nideliver/ me

King James Version

But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.

Cross-references

Psalms 31:3 For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.
Psalms 69:16 Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.
Psalms 25:11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, for it is great.
Psalms 63:3 Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
Psalms 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.
Psalms 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.
Psalms 143:11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.
Psalms 36:7 How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
Psalms 69:29 But I am in pain and distress; let Your salvation protect me, O God.