O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
The verse is a servant's plea for God to turn toward him, to have mercy on him, to give strength to him as God's servant, and to save him as the son of God's handmaid. Strength comes from God, who answers the plea for mercy and help by giving strength to his servant. The strength requested is needed for two purposes: to do God's work, including difficult work, and to endure hardship and suffering.
The plea is made in weakness in dependence on God, turning to him and trusting him for help through difficult work and coming trials. It is prayed even when a powerful, threatening trial is near. That nearness does not overturn trust, for trials come only as the Father wills.
Weakness is not a cause for regret when it leads to dependence and allows the Father to be glorified, and the servant accepts it on that ground. Along with strength, the servant asks for love to speak and for God to be a shelter and refuge.
The verse is a servant's plea for God to turn toward him, to have mercy on him, to give strength to him as God's servant, and to save him as the son of God's handmaid. Strength comes from God, who answers the plea for mercy and help by giving strength to his servant. The strength requested is needed for two purposes: to do God's work, including difficult work, and to endure hardship and suffering.
The plea is made in weakness in dependence on God, turning to him and trusting him for help through difficult work and coming trials. It is prayed even when a powerful, threatening trial is near. That nearness does not overturn trust, for trials come only as the Father wills.
Weakness is not a cause for regret when it leads to dependence and allows the Father to be glorified, and the servant accepts it on that ground. Along with strength, the servant asks for love to speak and for God to be a shelter and refuge.