Psalm 132:10-12
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This verse is asking God not to reject the current king, but it grounds that plea in God's faithfulness to David and the promises made to him. It's a prayer that highlights how God's ancient covenant with David is the basis for their hope for ongoing kingship and favor, not just for David himself but for all his successors.
For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one. The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This prayer is offered by the people of Israel, likely during a time when their king, one of David's successors, was facing great difficulty or seemed to be abandoned by God. They are pleading for God to remember His promises made to King David, asking Him not to reject their current anointed king in light of the covenant He established with David and his descendants. This plea is rooted in the hope for God's continued favor, stemming from the foundational promises made to David's line.
Why does this prayer hinge so heavily on 'David's sake'? It wasn't just about remembering a guy, but a covenant God made.
When the people pray "For your servant David's sake," they're calling on God to remember His promises, specifically the covenant made with David in 2 Samuel 7. This wasn't just a historical footnote; it was the foundation of Israel's hope for a lasting dynasty and a sign of God's faithfulness.
This means:
'Turn not away the face' - this phrase sounds like courtly language. What does it really mean when we pray it to God?
The plea "turn not away the face of your anointed one" is a powerful request for God's favor and acceptance. In ancient Near Eastern courts, turning away one's face was a sign of rejection or displeasure.
When the prayer asks God not to turn away the face of His anointed, it means:
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Understand the original words
mashiach · Hebrew Noun
A divinely chosen representative, usually a king, priest, or prophet, set apart through the ceremonial application of oil, signifying the empowerment and authority given by God for a specific task.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His self-existence, faithfulness, and relationship with His people.
shebu'ah · Hebrew Noun
A solemn declaration or promise, often invoking God as witness, binding the speaker to perform a specific action or fulfill a commitment.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A binding agreement or treaty between two parties, often involving obligations and promises; in the Bible, it refers to God's established relationship with His people based on His grace.
eduth · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the revealed laws, statutes, or instructions of God that serve as witnesses to His character and His requirements for His people.
This verse likely arises from a time of national crisis, where the current king, a descendant of David, is perceived as being rejected by God. The plea is for God to remember His unbreakable covenant with David and His promises to maintain David's royal line.
c. 1015 BC
David's Covenant
God makes a perpetual covenant with King David, promising that his descendants will always reign over Israel and that his house and kingdom will endure forever.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Prayer for the Temple
During the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem, Solomon prays to God, referencing the covenant with David and asking God to hear the prayers of future kings and the people.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Solomon's Prayer for the Temple
During the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem, Solomon prays to God, referencing the covenant with David and asking God to hear the prayers of future kings and the people. This prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:42 is very similar to Psalm 132:10.
c. 730 BC
Syro-Ephraimitic War
The northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Syria attack Judah. The Psalmist might be praying during this crisis, asking God to remember His covenant with David and not abandon their king.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and destroy the Temple, ending the Davidic dynasty's rule for a time. This historical catastrophe would have amplified the desperate plea for God to remember His covenant.
This verse echoes the promise from God to David in 2 Samuel 7, assuring him that his 'house' and 'kingdom' would be established forever, providing the foundational promise the Psalmist is appealing to.
1 Kings 2:16This passage shows a direct connection to the phrase 'turn not away the face,' illustrating its use in a royal context where Solomon asks his mother not to turn away his face, meaning not to reject his request.
2 Chronicles 6:42This verse is the parallel passage in Chronicles where Solomon, praying for himself, cries out, 'O Lord God, turn not away the face of your anointed; remember the great and constant love for your servant David.' It highlights the plea for divine favor based on past mercies to David.
Psalm 89:49This verse speaks of God's anger and scorn towards His anointed, directly contrasting with the plea in Psalm 132:10 and emphasizing what the Psalmist is praying *against* – God turning away His face.
John 1:14The concept of God 'turning away His face' is the opposite of God dwelling with His people, a truth fulfilled in Jesus, the Word made flesh, who represents God's presence and favor among us.
cambridgePsalms 132:10: "For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed."
10 . This verse is still part of the people’s prayer, though its language is coloured by the feeling of the Psalmist’s own age, and expresses the perplexity of a time in which Jehovah seemed to have disowned His anointed. The people pray for a blessing on each successive king for David’s sake. Thine anointed is not David only, but David and his successors, Jehovah’s anointed king for the time being. For him…
pulpitPsalms 132:10: "For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed."
Verse 10. - For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. Here the text diverges still more from that of Chronicles, which runs thus: "O Lord God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant" The meaning, however, is much the same in both passages: "For David's sake, to whom thou hast shown so many mercies, turn not away the face - i.e. reject…
This verse is asking God not to reject the current king, but it grounds that plea in God's faithfulness to David and the promises made to him. It's a prayer that highlights how God's ancient covenant with David is the basis for their hope for ongoing kingship and favor, not just for David himself but for all his successors.
This prayer is offered by the people of Israel, likely during a time when their king, one of David's successors, was facing great difficulty or seemed to be abandoned by God. They are pleading for God to remember His promises made to King David, asking Him not to reject their current anointed king in light of the covenant He established with David and his descendants. This plea is rooted in the hope for God's continued favor, stemming from the foundational promises made to David's line.
This prayer is offered by the people of Israel, likely during a time when their king, one of David's successors, was facing great difficulty or seemed to be abandoned by God. They are pleading for God to remember His promises made to King David, asking Him not to reject their current anointed king in light of the covenant He established with David and his descendants. This plea is rooted in the hope for God's continued favor, stemming from the foundational promises made to David's line.
"For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one. The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.…" — This verse is asking God not to reject the current king, but it grounds that plea in God's faithfulness to David and the promises made to him. It's a prayer that highlights how God's ancient covena…
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Last reviewed October 2026
