Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 31:16

"Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: Save me in thy lovingkindness." — Psalms 31:16 (ASV)

Make your face to shine upon your servant - That is, show me your favor, or be kind and merciful to me. See the notes at Psalms 4:6.

Save me for your mercies' sake - On account of your mercy; or that your mercy may be manifested. This is always a just ground of appeal to God by a sinner or a sufferer, that God would make our sins and trials an occasion for displaying his own character. There are, indeed, other grounds of appeal; but there is no one that is more pure or exalted than this.