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Psalms 86

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Inclineהַטֵּֽה־haṭ·ṭêh- — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → Your earאָזְנְךָ֣’ā·zə·nə·ḵā — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and answer meעֲנֵ֑נִי‘ă·nê·nî — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאָֽנִי׃’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am poorעָנִ֖י‘ā·nî — Poor, afflicted, humbleH6041 — Full Word Study → and needyוְאֶבְי֣וֹןwə·’eḇ·yō·wn — Poor person in dire needH34 — Full Word Study →. 2Preserveשָֽׁמְרָ֣הšā·mə·rāh — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → my soulנַפְשִׁי֮nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I am godlyחָסִ֪ידḥā·sîḏ — The pious one; one characterized by faithfulness and covenant loyaltyH2623 — Full Word Study →. Youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are my Godאֱלֹהַ֑י’ĕ·lō·hay — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; saveהוֹשַׁ֣עhō·wō·ša‘ — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → Your servantעַ֭בְדְּךָ‘aḇ·də·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → who trustsהַבּוֹטֵ֥חַhab·bō·w·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in Youאֵלֶֽיךָ׃’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. 3Be merciful to meחָנֵּ֥נִיḥān·nê·nî — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲדֹנָ֑י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I callאֶ֝קְרָ֗א’eq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → to Youאֵלֶ֥יךָ’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → day longהַיּֽוֹם׃hay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. 4Bring joyשַׂ֭מֵּחַśam·mē·aḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → to Your servantעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ‘aḇ·de·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → to Youאֵלֶ֥יךָ’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲ֝דֹנָ֗י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, I lift upאֶשָּֽׂא׃’eś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → my soulנַפְשִׁ֥יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. 5Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲ֭דֹנָי’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, are kindט֣וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → and forgivingוְסַלָּ֑חwə·sal·lāḥ — Ready to forgive, gracious in pardoningH5546 — Full Word Study →, richוְרַב־wə·raḇ- — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → in loving devotionחֶ֝֗סֶדḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → to allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who call on Youקֹרְאֶֽיךָ׃qō·rə·’e·ḵā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →. 6Hearהַאֲזִ֣ינָהha·’ă·zî·nāh — to listen, give ear, hear attentivelyH238 — Full Word Study → my prayerתְּפִלָּתִ֑יtə·p̄il·lā·ṯî — Prayer; formal or spontaneous petition to GodH8605 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and attendוְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבָהwə·haq·šî·ḇāh — To listen attentively; to give heedH7181 — Full Word Study → to my pleaבְּק֣וֹלbə·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → for mercyתַּחֲנוּנוֹתָֽי׃ta·ḥă·nū·nō·w·ṯāy — Earnest plea; humble supplication or entreatyH8469 — Full Word Study →. 7In the dayבְּי֣וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of my distressצָ֭רָתִ֥יṣā·rā·ṯî — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study → I call on Youאֶקְרָאֶ֗ךָּ’eq·rā·’e·kā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → You answer meתַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ṯa·‘ă·nê·nî — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →. 8O Lordאֲדֹנָ֗י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, there is none like Youכָּמ֖וֹךָkā·mō·w·ḵā — Like; according to; asH3644 — Full Word Study → among the godsבָאֱלֹהִ֥ים׀ḇā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, nor anyוְאֵ֣יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → works like Yoursכְּֽמַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ׃kə·ma·‘ă·śe·ḵā — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study →. 9Allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the nationsגּוֹיִ֤ם׀gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → You have madeעָשִׂ֗יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → will comeיָב֤וֹאוּ׀yā·ḇō·w·’ū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → and bowוְיִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּwə·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study → before Youלְפָנֶ֣יךָlə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲדֹנָ֑י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, and they will glorifyוִֽיכַבְּד֣וּwî·ḵab·bə·ḏū — to honor, glorify, or make heavy/weightyH3513 — Full Word Study → Your nameלִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃liš·me·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →. 10Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Youאַ֭תָּה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are greatגָד֣וֹלḡā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → and performוְעֹשֵׂ֣הwə·‘ō·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → wondersנִפְלָא֑וֹתnip̄·lā·’ō·wṯ — to be wonderful, perform miracles, do marvelous thingsH6381 — Full Word Study →; Youאַתָּ֖ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → aloneלְבַדֶּֽךָ׃lə·ḇad·de·ḵā — alone, apart, or bar/poleH905 — Full Word Study → are Godאֱלֹהִ֣ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 11Teach meה֘וֹרֵ֤נִיhō·w·rê·nî — To shoot, throw, or teach; to direct or instructH3384 — Full Word Study → Your wayדַּרְכֶּ֗ךָdar·ke·ḵā — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֨ה׀Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, that I may walkאֲהַלֵּ֥ךְ’ă·hal·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in Your truthבַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָba·’ă·mit·te·ḵā — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study →. Give me an undividedיַחֵ֥דya·ḥêḏ — to join together, unite, be joinedH3161 — Full Word Study → heartלְ֝בָבִ֗יlə·ḇā·ḇî — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study →, that I may fearלְיִרְאָ֥הlə·yir·’āh — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → Your nameשְׁמֶֽךָ׃šə·me·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →. 12I will praise Youאוֹדְךָ֤׀’ō·wḏ·ḵā — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲדֹנָ֣י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → my Godאֱ֭לֹהַי’ĕ·lō·hay — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, with allבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → my heartלְבָבִ֑יlə·ḇā·ḇî — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study →; I will glorifyוַאֲכַבְּדָ֖הwa·’ă·ḵab·bə·ḏāh — to honor, glorify, or make heavy/weightyH3513 — Full Word Study → Your nameשִׁמְךָ֣šim·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → foreverלְעוֹלָֽם׃lə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 13Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → great isגָּד֣וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → Your loving devotionחַ֭סְדְּךָḥas·də·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → to meעָלָ֑י‘ā·lāy — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →; You have deliveredוְהִצַּ֥לְתָּwə·hiṣ·ṣal·tā — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → meנַ֝פְשִׁ֗יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → from the depthsתַּחְתִּיָּֽה׃taḥ·tî·yāh — lower, beneath, underside; lowest partH8482 — Full Word Study → of Sheolמִשְּׁא֥וֹלmiš·šə·’ō·wl — The grave; the abode of the dead; the underworldH7585 — Full Word Study →. 14The arrogantזֵ֘דִ֤יםzê·ḏîm — arrogant, presumptuous, one who acts with overweening prideH2086 — Full Word Study → riseקָֽמוּ־qā·mū- — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → against meעָלַ֗י‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֤ים׀’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; a bandוַעֲדַ֣תwa·‘ă·ḏaṯ — congregation, assembly, gathered communityH5712 — Full Word Study → of ruthless menעָ֭רִיצִים‘ā·rî·ṣîm — Ruthless, violent oppressor; one wielding brutal powerH6184 — Full Word Study → seeksבִּקְשׁ֣וּbiq·šū — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → my lifeנַפְשִׁ֑יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, with no regardשָׂמ֣וּךָśā·mū·ḵā — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → for Youלְנֶגְדָּֽם׃lə·neḡ·dām — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study →. 15But Youוְאַתָּ֣הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲ֭דֹנָי’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, are a compassionateרַח֣וּםra·ḥūm — Merciful, compassionate, full of pityH7349 — Full Word Study → and graciousוְחַנּ֑וּןwə·ḥan·nūn — gracious, merciful, compassionateH2587 — Full Word Study → Godאֵל־’êl- — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, slowאֶ֥רֶךְ’e·reḵ — Slow to anger, patient, long-sufferingH750 — Full Word Study → to angerאַ֝פַּ֗יִם’ap·pa·yim — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study →, aboundingוְרַב־wə·raḇ- — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → in loving devotionחֶ֥סֶדḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → and faithfulnessוֶאֱמֶֽת׃we·’ĕ·meṯ — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study →. 16Turnפְּנֵ֥הpə·nêh — to turn, face, or direct attentionH6437 — Full Word Study → to meאֵלַ֗י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → and have mercyוְחָ֫נֵּ֥נִיwə·ḥān·nê·nî — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study →; grantתְּנָֽה־tə·nāh- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → Your strengthעֻזְּךָ֥‘uz·zə·ḵā — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → to Your servantלְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָlə·‘aḇ·de·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →; saveוְ֝הוֹשִׁ֗יעָהwə·hō·wō·šî·‘āh — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → the sonלְבֶן־lə·ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Your maidservantאֲמָתֶֽךָ׃’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā — Female servant or bondmaid in household or covenant serviceH519 — Full Word Study →. 17Showעֲשֵֽׂה־‘ă·śêh- — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → meעִמִּ֥י‘im·mî — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → a signא֗וֹת’ō·wṯ — A sign or miraculous wonder that authenticates God's powerH226 — Full Word Study → of Your goodnessלְט֫וֹבָ֥הlə·ṭō·w·ḇāh — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →, that my enemiesשֹׂנְאַ֣יśō·nə·’ay — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → may seeוְיִרְא֣וּwə·yir·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → and be ashamedוְיֵבֹ֑שׁוּwə·yê·ḇō·šū — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study →; forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Youאַתָּ֥ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, have helped meעֲזַרְתַּ֥נִי‘ă·zar·ta·nî — to help, aid, supportH5826 — Full Word Study → and comforted meוְנִחַמְתָּֽנִי׃wə·ni·ḥam·tā·nî — to comfort, console, or show compassion; to repent or change one's mindH5162 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 86
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 86 is a deeply personal prayer of David, written when he was surrounded by enemies and facing grave danger. Yet rather than focusing on his circumstances, David turns his attention entirely to God's character and faithfulness. This psalm beautifully demonstrates the posture of a believer under pressure: crying out for mercy, celebrating God's uniqueness and power, and requesting both deliverance and spiritual transformation. The psalm moves from urgent petition to confident trust, showing us how worship and prayer can sustain us in our darkest moments.

Verses 1–5: The Cry for Help Based on God's Character

David begins with an urgent appeal: "Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me" (v. 1). He doesn't hide behind false confidence but admits openly, "I am poor and needy." This honesty is the foundation of genuine prayer. In verse 2, he asks God to preserve his soul, and here David makes a remarkable claim: "I am holy." This doesn't mean sinless perfection; rather, it means he is set apart for God, devoted to Him. His confidence rests not in his own strength but in God's mercy.

The turning point comes in verses 4–5, where David shifts from what he needs to who God is. "Thou art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee." This is the heart of the matter: God's goodness is not earned—it is His nature. His willingness to forgive and show mercy is directed toward all who genuinely call upon Him. Notice David doesn't argue that he deserves help; he appeals to God's character instead.

Application: When facing your own trials, follow David's example. Bring your genuine needs to God without pretense, but remember to anchor your prayers in His character, not your circumstances.

Verses 6–10: Confidence in God's Uniqueness

Having made his request known, David now expresses absolute confidence: "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me" (v. 7). This is not presumption but tested faith. David knows from experience that God responds to His people's cries.

Verses 8–10 contain a magnificent declaration of God's supremacy. "Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord"—in a polytheistic world, David boldly asserts that all other so-called gods are utterly worthless compared to the true God. He alone performs wondrous works; He alone is God. Verse 9 projects a glorious future: "All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee." David's confidence in God's power extends beyond his immediate crisis to a vision of God's ultimate triumph and universal worship.

Application: In our modern age of competing loyalties and false gods (money, success, relationships), we need David's unwavering conviction that the Lord God is supremely worthy of all worship and trust.

Verses 11–17: The Prayer for Transformation and Deliverance

David's final request moves beyond mere survival to spiritual growth: "Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name" (v. 11). He wants not just rescue but transformation—a unified, undivided heart that reverences God. Verse 12 expresses his commitment: wholehearted praise and eternal glorification of God's name.

In verses 14–15, David acknowledges his actual enemies: "the proud" and "violent men." But his response reveals spiritual maturity—he describes God as "full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Finally, in verse 16–17, he asks God to turn toward him with mercy and strength, requesting a visible sign of God's favor "that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed."

Application: True prayer includes asking God to transform us, not just deliver us. The greatest victory is not escaping trouble but becoming more like Christ through it.

Application for Today

Psalm 86 teaches us that authentic prayer begins with honest need but finds its power in God's character. Whether you face enemies, opposition, or simply the weight of daily struggles, follow David's pattern: cry out boldly, celebrate God's greatness, and ask Him to remake your heart. God's goodness, mercy, and truth are never in short supply for those who call upon Him.

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