Psalm 119:132 | “Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.”

The psalmist pleads for the Lord’s attention. He asks God to turn toward him, to look upon him, to take notice of his condition. He also asks God to be gracious to him, to deal favorably with him not on the basis of merit, but mercy. What he needs most is not explanation or escape, but grace. Calvin captures the heart of this prayer with piercing honesty: “It is as if he had said—Although I can perceive no token of thy favour, yea, although my condition is so wretched and desperate, that, judging according to sense and reason, I deem that thou hast turned the back upon me; yet, as from the beginning of the world to the present day, thou hast testified, by numberless proofs, that thou art merciful to thy servants, I beseech thee that, acting according to this rule, thou wouldst now exercise the like lovingkindness towards me.” Though the psalmist sees no outward sign of favor, he reasons from what he knows to be true of God’s character. God has always shown mercy to his servants. To abandon them would be foreign to his nature. The final phrase grounds the prayer in confidence. This is God’s way with those who love his name. He does not turn away from them. He turns toward them in grace.