“Have mercy upon me …”

“Have mercy upon me, o Lord; for I am weak …” (Ps 6:2); “Have mercy upon me, o Lord, for I am in trouble …” (Ps 31:9); “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up …” (Ps 56:1); “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee …” (Ps 57:1); “Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily” (Ps 86:3).

There are five reasons David presents in the book of Psalms for calling unto God for mercy.

In the first two verses, when he calls upon Jehovah, he mentions his weakness (“… for I am weak …”) and his trouble (“… for I am in trouble …”). Notice his humble recognition of his own weakness.

In the next two occurrences he calls on Elohim, and mentions the opposition of men (“… for man would swallow me up …”) and his faith in God (“… for my soul trusteth in Thee …”). Men might oppose — David trusts in his God.

Finally, he calls on Adonai, mentioning his insistence before the throne of God (“… for I cry unto thee daily” — or “all the day” as Darby translates it).

In our weaknesses and troubles, may we remember the promises of Jehovah, our God. When men seek to destroy us, may we remember the majesty of Elohim, in whom we trust. May Adonai, our Lord and Sovereign, be the only one to whom we call for mercy, and may our call be constant.

May we manifest the same humble, trusting, and constant call for mercy that characterized David.