Turn, O LORD,
This phrase is a plea for God’s attention and intervention. The psalmist is asking for a change in God's disposition towards him, indicating a sense of urgency and desperation. In the Hebrew context, "turn" often implies repentance or a change of direction, suggesting the psalmist's desire for God to redirect His focus and favor upon him. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God’s presence and attention are crucial for their well-being.

and deliver my soul;
The request for deliverance of the soul indicates a deep, existential need for salvation and rescue. In the Old Testament, the soul (nephesh) often refers to the whole being, not just the spiritual aspect. The psalmist is seeking comprehensive salvation from distress, which could be physical, emotional, or spiritual. This plea echoes the broader biblical theme of God as a deliverer, as seen in the Exodus narrative and throughout the Psalms.

save me because of Your loving devotion.
The basis for the psalmist's request is God's "loving devotion," often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy" (chesed in Hebrew). This term is central to the understanding of God’s character in the Old Testament, emphasizing His covenantal faithfulness and kindness. The appeal to God's loving devotion underscores the psalmist's reliance on God's unchanging nature rather than his own merit. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of salvation by grace, prefiguring the New Testament revelation of salvation through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's ultimate act of loving devotion.

1. David
The author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be King David, who often wrote psalms during times of distress and seeking God's intervention.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

3. Deliverance
The act of being rescued or saved, which is a central theme in this psalm as David seeks God's intervention.

4. Loving Devotion (Chesed)
A key Hebrew term that refers to God's steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness, which is the basis for David's plea for salvation.Understanding God's Character
Recognize that God's loving devotion (chesed) is central to His nature and is the foundation for our hope and salvation.

The Importance of Repentance
Like David, we should approach God with a heart of repentance, acknowledging our need for His mercy and deliverance.

Trust in God's Deliverance
In times of distress, we can trust in God's ability and willingness to deliver us, just as He did for David.

Prayer as a Means of Seeking God
Use prayer as a way to express our dependence on God and to seek His intervention in our lives.

God's Faithfulness Across Time
Reflect on how God's faithfulness in the past assures us of His continued presence and help in our current circumstances.Verse 4. - Return, O Lord. God seemed to have withdrawn himself, to have, forsaken the mourner, and gone far away (comp. Psalm 22:1). Hence the cry, "Return" (comp. Psalm 80:14; Psalm 90:13). Nothing is so hard to endure as the feeling of being deserted by God. Deliver my soul. "The psalmist feels himself so wretched in soul and body, that he believes himself to be near death" (Hengstenberg). His prayer here is, primarily, for deliverance from this impending danger, as appears clearly from the following verse, Save me for thy mercys' sake. Either a repetition of the preceding prayer in other words, or an enlargement of it so as to include salvation of every kind.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Turn,
שׁוּבָ֣ה (šū·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

O LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

[and] deliver
חַלְּצָ֣ה (ḥal·lə·ṣāh)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2502: To pull off, to strip, to depart, to deliver, equip, present, strengthen

my soul;
נַפְשִׁ֑י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

save me
ה֝וֹשִׁיעֵ֗נִי (hō·wō·šî·‘ê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

because of
לְמַ֣עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Preposition
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

Your loving devotion.
חַסְדֶּֽךָ׃ (ḥas·de·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty


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OT Poetry: Psalm 6:4 Return Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.)