The psalmist grounds his appeal in the incredible compassion of God. The Hebrew word translated “mercy” is rahamim. It describes deep affection and tender love, the kind of compassion that moves one to protect the helpless. This same word is used in 1 Kings 3:26 to describe the heart of a mother who would rather give her child away than see him killed. It is a love that aches to preserve life. God’s care for his people is not distant, but personal and profound. On that basis, he asks God to give him life according to his rules. He seeks preservation, renewal, and continued strength, not because he deserves it but because God is merciful by nature. Calvin rightly explains, “If we imagine that God makes his promises because he is bound to do it, or because we have deserved it, doubting or mistrust will steal upon our minds, which will shut the gate against our prayers. But if we are thoroughly persuaded that the sole cause by which God is moved to promise us salvation is the mercy inherent in his own nature, we will approach him without hesitation or doubt, because he has bound himself to us of his own accord.” God has freely bound himself to his people, and therefore the psalmist trusts that the Lord delights to give life to those who rest in his compassionate care.
