Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

PSALMS 40:11KJV
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Psalms 40:11 (KJV)

What does Psalms 40:11 mean?

Psalms 40:11 is a prayer asking God not to hold back His compassion, but to let His steadfast love and truth always protect the speaker. The verse expresses a deep trust that God’s kindness and faithfulness are what keep a person safe and secure.

In this psalm, David is speaking directly to the LORD, asking for ongoing mercy and care in the face of trouble. The verse comes in a section where David is seeking help and deliverance, showing his dependence on God’s character—especially God’s lovingkindness and truth—to preserve him through difficulties.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 40:11

  • "Withhold" (כָּלָא, kala): This word means to restrain or hold back. David is asking God not to restrain His compassion, showing a sense of urgency and need.
  • "Mercies" (רַחֲמִים, rachamim): This word refers to deep compassion or tender mercy, often linked to a parent’s care for a child. It highlights the warmth and gentleness David longs for from God.
  • "Lovingkindness" (חֶסֶד, chesed): This is a rich Hebrew word for steadfast, loyal love—often describing God’s covenant faithfulness. David trusts that this loyal love is what will keep him safe.
  • "Truth" (אֱמֶת, emet): This word means faithfulness or reliability, not just factual truth. David is relying on God’s trustworthiness to protect him continually.
  • "Continually" (תָּמִיד, tamid): This word means always or constantly, emphasizing that David seeks God’s protection at all times, not just in moments of crisis.
  • "Preserve" (נָצַר, natsar): This verb means to guard, protect, or keep safe. David is asking for ongoing, active protection from God.

Why Psalms 40:11 matters

  • Psalms 40:11 clarifies that God’s protection is not just a one-time event but something the believer can ask for continually, rooted in God’s unchanging character.
  • The verse highlights the balance between God’s compassion (rachamim), steadfast love (chesed), and faithfulness (emet), showing that all three are essential for true security.
  • This prayer connects to the wider psalm, where David moves from praise to urgent petition, reminding readers that even people of faith still need to ask for God’s ongoing help and mercy.

Where else these words appear

“Withhold” Hebrew H3607 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 8:2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
  • 1 Samuel 25:33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
  • Isaiah 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

“mercies” Hebrew H7356 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 43:14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
  • Nehemiah 9:31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
  • Isaiah 47:6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

“preserve” Hebrew H5341 · used in 62 verses

  • Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
  • Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
  • Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

“continually” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
  • Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.