Psalms 119:132
Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This isn't just a plea for favor; it's an appeal to God's established practice – a covenant right. The psalmist is asking God to act according to His established pattern of grace towards those who are devoted to Him, essentially saying, "This is what You do for people who love You, so please extend that same kindness to me."
The psalmist is deeply struggling, feeling abandoned and asking God to turn back to him. Having just confessed his love for God's law, he now pleads for divine attention and mercy, appealing to God's consistent practice of showing favor to all who cherish His name. He is not asking for special treatment, but for the same grace God has always extended to His faithful followers throughout history.
The psalmist isn't just asking God to follow a good habit. He's appealing to something much deeper – a divine right established by covenant.
The phrase "as is your way with those who love your name" might sound like a simple request for consistency. However, the original language hints at more than just God's usual practice; it suggests a divine right or ordinance.
This isn't about the psalmist earning favor through merit. Instead, it's an appeal to the established order of God's relationship with His people. Those who love God, who cherish His revelation, have a rightful claim to His grace and mercy, rooted in the covenant He made.
Think of it like a child appealing to a parent's promise. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s a promised inheritance. The psalmist is reminding God of the very terms of their relationship, a relationship built on God's faithfulness.
In distress, the psalmist asks God to 'look upon me.' But what kind of look is this? It's a plea to be seen through the lens of mercy, not scrutiny.
The psalmist uses two powerful verbs: 'Turn to me' and 'be gracious to me.' The commentators highlight that 'look upon me' is not a casual glance, but a turning toward the person, signifying renewed attention and favor.
Crucially, this isn't a plea to be examined under God's strict, justice-driven gaze. As Poole notes, a sinful creature couldn't bear that kind of scrutiny. Instead, the psalmist desires a 'look of grace and mercy,' seeing himself 'in Christ' (as Gill suggests).
This petition acknowledges our sinfulness but boldly asks for God's merciful regard, the same regard He extends to all who genuinely love His name. It’s a request for God to see him as He sees all His faithful ones – not as a judge looking for fault, but as a loving Father seeing His child.
Understand the original words
chanan · Hebrew Verb
An expression of God's unmerited favor, mercy, and kindness toward His people, often in response to their prayers or in the context of His covenant relationship.
shem · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical sense, the 'name' represents the character, reputation, authority, and essence of God, often synonymous with His presence and nature.
This passage highlights God's graciousness and mercy extended to those He chooses, paralleling the psalmist's plea to be treated according to God's established way with those who love Him.
Deuteronomy 7:9It emphasizes God's faithfulness and covenant love specifically to those who love Him and keep His commandments, reinforcing the psalmist's argument that his plea is based on God's consistent character.
John 14:21Jesus states that the one who loves Him will be loved by the Father and that He will reveal Himself to them, showing a direct connection between loving God and experiencing His presence and favor.
1 Corinthians 8:3This verse explains that true knowledge of God leads to loving Him, suggesting that a deep understanding and love for God's name naturally leads to expecting and receiving His attention and grace.
Hebrews 6:10The writer assures believers that God is not unjust and will not forget their work and love shown to Him, providing a foundational truth that the psalmist draws upon: God honors those who love His name.
gillPsalms 119:132: "Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name."
Look thou upon me,.... Not as in himself; a sinful creature will not bear looking upon by the Lord, especially with the strict eye of justice; but as in Christ, and clothed with his righteousness; and so not merely in a providential way, though that is a favour, but in a way of special grace and mercy. It may be rendered, "turn unto me" (r); as it is in Psalm 25:16 ; the Lord had tur…
pulpitPsalms 119:132: "Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name."
Verse 132. - Look thou upon me; rather, turn thee unto me, but in the sense of "turn round and look upon me." And be merciful unto me (comp. vers. 41, 58, 76, 77, etc.). As thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name; literally, as thy rule is with those that love thy Name.
This isn't just a plea for favor; it's an appeal to God's established practice – a covenant right. The psalmist is asking God to act according to His established pattern of grace towards those who are devoted to Him, essentially saying, "This is what You do for people who love You, so please extend that same kindness to me."
The psalmist is deeply struggling, feeling abandoned and asking God to turn back to him. Having just confessed his love for God's law, he now pleads for divine attention and mercy, appealing to God's consistent practice of showing favor to all who cherish His name. He is not asking for special treatment, but for the same grace God has always extended to His faithful followers throughout history.
The psalmist is deeply struggling, feeling abandoned and asking God to turn back to him. Having just confessed his love for God's law, he now pleads for divine attention and mercy, appealing to God's consistent practice of showing favor to all who cherish His name. He is not asking for special treatment, but for the same grace God has always extended to His faithful followers throughout history.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 119:132 is available in the Sola app.
"Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name." — This isn't just a plea for favor; it's an appeal to God's established practice – a covenant right. The psalmist is asking God to act according to His established pattern of grace towards those who ar…
