“As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!” (Psalm 40:11 ESV).
In Psalm 40, David first testified to the LORD’s past deliverance before turning to urgent prayer. In verse 11, he appealed directly to God’s character. He asked that the LORD would not “restrain” His mercy. The word “mercy” conveyed tender compassion, almost parental in tone. It described a love that flowed from the heart, not something earned or deserved. God’s mercy could only be given freely.
David also anchored his plea in God’s “steadfast love” (chesed) and “faithfulness” (ʾemet). These covenant terms often appeared together in the Old Testament (cf. Exodus 34:6), describing God’s loyal, committed love and His perfect reliability. The LORD did not merely feel compassion; He bound Himself to His people in covenant faithfulness and truth.
Finally, David declared that these attributes would “preserve” him. The verb carried the idea of guarding, protecting, or watching over. David believed that God’s covenant character actively shielded His people in trouble.
Psalm 40 also carried messianic dimensions. Verses 6–8 were later quoted in Hebrews 10 concerning Christ. What David expressed imperfectly, Jesus fulfilled perfectly. Christ trusted fully in the Father’s mercy, steadfast love, and faithfulness, even unto the cross.
When we face distress, we can call upon the character of God. We do not approach Him on the basis of our performance, but on the basis of His mercy. His compassion toward us is not reluctant or earned; it flows freely from His fatherly heart. We can also rest in His steadfast love and faithfulness. The God who bound Himself to Israel has revealed His covenant love most clearly in Christ. He is dependable. He does not change. His Word reveals who He is, and His character anchors our prayers. Because His mercy is tender, His love is loyal, and His faithfulness is sure, we can trust that He will guard and preserve us. In every season, we can call on the character of God.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Your tender mercy, Your steadfast covenant love, and Your perfect faithfulness. Teach us to depend on who You are rather than on what we have done. Guard and preserve us according to Your character. Help us to call upon You with confidence. In Jesus’ name, amen.