Psalms 86

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 86

1¶ A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I [am] poor and needy.

2Preserve my soul; for I [am] holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

3Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

4Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5For thou, Lord, [art] good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

6Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

7In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

8¶ Among the gods [there is] none like unto thee, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto thy works.

9All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

10For thou [art] great, and doest wondrous things: thou [art] God alone.

11Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

12I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

13For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

14O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent [men] have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

15But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

16O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

17Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see [it], and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 86 is a prayer of David, where he humbly appeals to the Lord for mercy and preservation, acknowledging his own neediness and trust in God. He extols God's unique greatness, goodness, and readiness to forgive, declaring that there is none like Him among the gods. David seeks divine guidance and deliverance from his adversaries, confident that the Lord will answer and provide a token of His help.

Medium Summary

In this prayer, David first pleads with the Lord to hear him, citing his poverty, need, and trust in God's salvation. He praises God's character, describing Him as good, ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all who call upon Him daily. David affirms God's singular supremacy, stating that no other gods or works compare to the Lord, and foresees all nations worshipping Him. He earnestly requests to be taught God's way and to have his heart united in fearing His name. The psalmist then describes the opposition he faces from proud and violent men, contrasting their nature with God's compassion, grace, longsuffering, mercy, and truth. He concludes by asking for strength, salvation, and a visible sign of God's favor to shame his enemies.

Long Summary

Psalm 86 begins with David's earnest supplication, entreating the Lord to incline His ear and hear his prayer, based on his state of being poor and needy. He appeals for the preservation of his soul, asserting his holiness and trust in God, whom he calls upon daily for mercy and joy. David then extols the divine attributes, proclaiming the Lord's goodness, readiness to forgive, and abundant mercy towards all who seek Him. He expresses unwavering confidence that God will answer him in times of trouble. The psalmist declares the unparalleled nature of God, stating that among all other gods, there is none like the Lord, nor are there any works comparable to His. He prophesies that all nations created by God will eventually come to worship and glorify His name, recognizing Him as the great God who alone does wondrous things. David then shifts to a plea for personal instruction, asking the Lord to teach him His way so he may walk in truth, and to unite his heart to fear God's name, promising to praise Him wholeheartedly forevermore for His great mercy, which delivered his soul from the lowest hell. He then describes the immediate threat from proud and violent men who seek his life and disregard God. In stark contrast to his adversaries, David reaffirms God's character as compassionate, gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. He concludes with a fervent request for God to turn to him, show mercy, grant strength and salvation, and provide a visible token of His goodness, so that his hateful enemies may witness God's help and comfort and be put to shame.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Mercy and ForgivenessThe psalm emphasizes God's character as good, ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all who call upon Him, and full of compassion, grace, and longsuffering.
  • God's Uniqueness and SupremacyDavid declares that there is no god like the Lord, nor any works like His, affirming that God alone is great and does wondrous things, and that all nations shall worship Him.
  • Prayer in DistressThe psalmist consistently calls upon the Lord in his trouble, expressing his neediness and seeking divine intervention for preservation, mercy, and deliverance from adversaries.
  • Guidance and TruthDavid earnestly requests that the Lord teach him His way, so he may walk in God's truth, and that his heart be united in fearing God's name.
  • Trust and Dependence on GodDespite facing opposition, David repeatedly expresses his trust in the Lord for salvation and help, lifting up his soul to God daily.
  • Deliverance from AdversariesThe psalm highlights David's plea for salvation from proud and violent men who seek his soul, asking God to show a token of His help to shame his enemies.
  • Glorification of God's NameDavid commits to praising the Lord with all his heart and glorifying His name forevermore, acknowledging God's great mercy and past deliverance.