Help me, O LORD my God; save me according to Your loving devotion. Help meThe plea "Help me" is a direct and earnest cry for divine intervention. In Hebrew, the word for "help" is "עָזַר" (azar), which conveys the idea of surrounding, protecting, and aiding. This reflects a deep reliance on God, acknowledging human limitations and the need for divine strength. The psalmist's call for help is not just a request for assistance but a profound expression of trust in God's ability to deliver and support. O LORD my God
The use of "O LORD my God" is deeply personal and covenantal. "LORD" is the translation of "Yahweh," the sacred name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and faithfulness. "My God" indicates a personal relationship, emphasizing that the psalmist is not calling upon a distant deity but a personal, covenant-keeping God. This phrase underscores the intimacy and trust inherent in the psalmist's relationship with God, rooted in the history of Israel's experiences with Yahweh. Save me
"Save me" is a plea for deliverance, often used in the context of salvation from enemies or distress. The Hebrew word "יָשַׁע" (yasha) implies not only physical rescue but also spiritual salvation. This reflects the psalmist's desire for comprehensive deliverance, encompassing both immediate physical needs and eternal spiritual security. The request for salvation is a central theme in the Psalms, highlighting the belief in God's power to redeem and restore. according to Your loving devotion
The phrase "according to Your loving devotion" is rich with theological significance. "Loving devotion" translates the Hebrew word "חֶסֶד" (chesed), which is often rendered as "steadfast love" or "covenant faithfulness." This term encapsulates God's unwavering commitment to His people, characterized by mercy, kindness, and loyalty. The psalmist appeals to God's chesed, recognizing that divine intervention is not based on human merit but on God's gracious and faithful nature. This assurance of God's steadfast love provides hope and confidence in the face of adversity. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing a plea for divine intervention against his adversaries. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people. 3. EnemiesThough not named in this specific verse, the context of Psalm 109 involves David's adversaries who are unjustly attacking him. 4. IsraelThe nation to which David belongs, often seen as the collective recipient of God's covenant promises. 5. Loving Devotion (Chesed)A key Hebrew term in this verse, referring to God's steadfast love and mercy, foundational to His covenant relationship with His people. Teaching Points Dependence on GodRecognize our need for God's help in every situation, acknowledging that He is our ultimate source of strength and deliverance. Understanding God's CharacterReflect on God's loving devotion (chesed) as a foundation for our trust in Him. His steadfast love assures us of His willingness to save and support us. Prayer as a ResponseEmulate David's example by turning to prayer in times of distress, seeking God's intervention and relying on His promises. Faith in God's TimingTrust in God's perfect timing and wisdom, even when immediate deliverance is not apparent. His loving devotion ensures that He acts for our good. Living in Covenant RelationshipLive in a way that honors our covenant relationship with God, responding to His loving devotion with faithfulness and obedience. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the meaning of "chesed" (loving devotion) deepen our trust in God's promises? 2. In what ways can we apply David's example of prayer in our own lives when facing adversities? 3. How does the assurance of God's loving devotion impact our response to difficult circumstances? 4. What other biblical examples can you find where individuals relied on God's help and loving devotion? 5. How can we encourage others in our community to seek God's help and trust in His loving devotion during challenging times? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 40:13Similar plea for deliverance, highlighting the urgency and dependence on God's intervention. Exodus 34:6-7Describes God's character, including His loving devotion, which is the basis for David's appeal. Lamentations 3:22-23Emphasizes God's unfailing love and mercy, which are new every morning, reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness. Romans 8:31-39Discusses God's unwavering support and love for His people, assuring believers of His help in times of trouble. James 5:13-16Encourages believers to pray in times of trouble, reflecting the practice of seeking God's help as seen in Psalm 109:26. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Accordance, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, O, Oh, Save, Saviour, SteadfastDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:26 1085 God, love of
8640 calling upon God Library Psalm. Cix. 21. ; Micah, vi. 9
Psalm. cix. 21.; Micah, vi. 9. Sweet is Thy mercy, O my God! When humbled at Thy feet, I learn the lessons of Thy rod, Thy mercy, Lord, is sweet. For Thou dost not in wrath chastise, But when I go astray, "Return," a voice behind me cries, "Walk here;--this is the way." Impatient of Thine easy yoke, If heedless yet I roam, Some sharp affliction, with a stroke Of kindness, warns me home. That godly sorrow then I feel, Which nothing can control, Until the hand that wounded, heal, That bruised me, …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and HymnsIf Anyone Shall Say that Jesus as Man is Only Energized by the Word Of...
If anyone shall say that Jesus as man is only energized by the Word of God, and that the glory of the Only-begotten is attributed to him as something not properly his: let him be anathema. Notes. Nestorius. VII. If any one says that the man who was formed of the Virgin is the Only-begotten, who was born from the bosom of the Father, before the morning star was (Ps. cix., 3) [256] , and does not rather confess that he has obtained the designation of Only-begotten on account of his connection with …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils First Antiphon and Psalm
Third Tone (a ending) Chanter Dum esset rex Choir in accubitu suo, nardus mea dedit odorem suavitatis. Alleluia. Dixit Dominus (Psalm 109) 1. Dixit Dominus, Domino meo: Sede a dextris meis: 2. Donec ponam inimicos tuos, scabellum pedum tuorum. 3. Virgam virtutis tuae emitte Dominus ex Sion: dominare in medio inimicorum tuorem. 4. Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante luciferum genui te. 5. Juravit Dominus, et non paenitebit eum: Tu es sacerdos in aeternum …
Various—The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Fourteenth Day. Endurance in Contradiction.
"Who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself."-- Heb. xii. 3. What endurance was this! Perfect truth in the midst of error; perfect love in the midst of ingratitude and coldness; perfect rectitude in the midst of perjury, violence, fraud; perfect constancy in the midst of contumely and desertion; perfect innocence, confronting every debased form of depravity and guilt; perfect patience, encountering every species of gross provocation--"oppressed and afflicted, He opened not His mouth!" …
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus Ninth Day for God's Spirit on Our Mission Work
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on our Mission Work "The evangelisation of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men--ay, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer." "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Then when they had fasted and prayed, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed."--ACTS …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
When geologists began to ask whether changes in the earth's structure might be explained by causes still in operation, they did not disprove the possibility of great convulsions, but they lessened necessity for imagining them. So, if a theologian has his eyes opened to the Divine energy as continuous and omnipresent, he lessens the sharp contrast of epochs in Revelation, but need not assume that the stream has never varied in its flow. Devotion raises time present into the sacredness of the past; …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
But all this is duly executed by a ruler, if, inspired by the spirit of heavenly fear and love, he meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power of solicitude and of provident circumspection with regard to the celestial life, which familiar intercourse with men continually destroys; and that one who is drawn to oldness of life by secular society may by the aspiration of compunction be ever renewed to love of the spiritual country. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Water of Life;
OR, A DISCOURSE SHOWING THE RICHNESS AND GLORY OF THE GRACE AND SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL, AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE BY THIS TERM, THE WATER OF LIFE. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'--Revelation 22:17 London: Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Often, and in every age, the children of God have dared to doubt the sufficiency of divine grace; whether it was vast enough to reach their condition--to cleanse …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 109:26 NIVPsalm 109:26 NLTPsalm 109:26 ESVPsalm 109:26 NASBPsalm 109:26 KJV
Psalm 109:26 Commentaries
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