Old Testament

Psalms 86

David's Cry to the God of Mercy

4 passages

Overview

David moves from humble petition grounded in his own poverty of spirit, through a sweeping declaration of God's unrivaled greatness over all nations, to a final appeal that God show a visible sign of favor against proud enemies — anchoring every cry in the steadfast, merciful loving-kindness of the one God who alone does wondrous things.

Passages

1–5A Humble Plea for Divine Mercy 6–10No God Like You: The Incomparable Lord of All Nations 11–13Teach Me, That I May Praise You Wholly 14–17Mercy Against Pride: The Soul's Final Appeal

Study Resources

No study guides, devotionals, or teaching outlines have been created for this chapter yet.

Psalms 86

¹A Prayer by David. Hear, Yahweh, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

²Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.

³Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.

⁴Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.

⁵For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.

⁶Hear, Yahweh, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions.

⁷In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.

⁸There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.

⁹All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name.

¹⁰For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone.

¹¹Teach me your way, Yahweh. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.

¹²I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forever more.

¹³For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.

¹⁴God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, and they don’t hold regard for you before them.

¹⁵But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.

¹⁶Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant.

¹⁷Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.

Psalms 85 Psalms 87