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Psalm 25:16

Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted.

14The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.
15My eyes are ever on the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Oh bring me out of my distresses.
18Consider my affliction and my travail. Forgive all my sins.
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← Psalm 25:15Psalm 25:17 →
Notice

“Turn to me” makes the plea personal: someone desolate and afflicted asks for God's attention and mercy while the trouble remains unresolved.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What would asking God to “Turn to me” mean in your prayer today?

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Which word, “desolate” or “afflicted,” comes closer to something you could name before God?

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What kind of help are you seeking when you ask God for mercy?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

7 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 4:1For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm by David. Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy …Both prayers ask God for mercy from within distress, seeking his attention to the person who calls.
Psalm 86:16Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant.Both prayers begin with the same plea for God to turn toward the speaker and have mercy.
Psalm 69:16Answer me, LORD, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me.Both ask God to turn toward the speaker, linking that request with an appeal to his mercy.
Micah 7:19He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.Both concern God's compassion: the psalm asks for mercy in affliction, while Micah speaks of compassion expressed through forgiveness.
Daniel 9:17“Now therefore, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his petitions, and cause your face to shine on your sanctuary that is desolate, for the …Both prayers bring desolation before God: the psalm names a desolate person, while Daniel names a desolate sanctuary.
Psalm 119:132Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.Both use the exact plea “Turn to me, and have mercy on me,” seeking God's merciful attention.
Mark 15:33–35When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.The connection is limited: the psalm names personal desolation and affliction, while Mark's supplied verse describes darkness over the land.
Where this verse fits

Loneliness. grief. feeling distant from God.

What the Bible says about loneliness →What the Bible says about grief →What the Bible says about doubt →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Pray Psalm 25:16 aloud before bed tonight

prayeroncelight
Encouragement

The plea for mercy comes from someone still desolate and afflicted. Your prayer need not wait for relief; this psalm speaks to God from within distress.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 25:16. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 25 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).