“Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 119:132 Mean?
The psalmist asks God to treat him the way He typically treats people who love Him: "as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name." The marginal note translates this as "according to the custom toward those" — there's a pattern, a precedent, a way God customarily operates with people who love Him. The psalmist is asking to be included in that pattern.
The word "look" (panah) means to turn toward, to face. The request is for God's attention — His face turned toward the psalmist. Before asking for mercy, he asks to be seen. Before the action, the attention.
The appeal to custom — God's typical behavior toward those who love Him — is a sophisticated prayer strategy. The psalmist isn't asking for an exception or a special case. He's asking for the standard treatment. Just treat me like You normally treat Your lovers. The request is grounded in precedent, not presumption.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What is God's 'custom' toward those who love Him, based on what you've seen?
- 2.How does asking for standard treatment rather than special treatment change your prayer?
- 3.What precedent from God's past faithfulness can you appeal to in your current situation?
- 4.How does this prayer model humility in approaching God?
Devotional
Treat me the way You usually treat the people who love You. That's all I'm asking. Not a special exception. Not a miracle beyond Your normal range. Just the standard package — the mercy You customarily show to those who love Your name.
This prayer is brilliant in its humility. The psalmist isn't claiming to deserve extraordinary treatment. He's saying: include me in Your usual pattern. Whatever You typically do for Your people, do that for me. I'm not asking for more than custom. I'm asking for custom.
The appeal to God's established pattern is one of the most effective prayer strategies in Scripture. You're not begging God to do something unprecedented. You're reminding Him of what He always does. You have a custom, God. A way You consistently treat those who love You. Apply that custom to me.
This takes the pressure off needing to be special. You don't have to earn extraordinary favor. You just have to be part of the group that loves God's name and then ask for the treatment that group receives. The mercy isn't unique to you — it's God's standard operating procedure for His people. You're just asking to be included.
What does God customarily do for those who love His name? Look at Scripture. Look at history. Look at your own experience. Then ask: do that for me too.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,.... That is, "out of" them; as the Syriac version: or, "mine eyes let down rivers…
Look thou upon me - Turn not away from me. Regard me with thy favor. And be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto…
Here is, 1. David's request for God's favour to himself: "Look graciously upon me; let me have thy smiles, and the light…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture