Psalm 86
BSB
Tried but Trusting
A prayer of David.
1Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2Preserve my soul, for I am godly.
You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You.
3Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I call to You all day long.
4Bring joy to Your servant,
for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving,
rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.
6Hear my prayer, O LORD,
and attend to my plea for mercy.
7In the day of my distress I call on You,
because You answer me.
8O Lord, there is none like You among the gods,
nor any works like Yours.
9All the nations You have made
will come and bow before You, O Lord,
and they will glorify Your name.
10For You are great and perform wonders;
You alone are God.
11Teach me Your way, O LORD,
that I may walk in Your truth.
Give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear Your name.
12I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify Your name forever.
13For great is Your loving devotion to me;
You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol.
14The arrogant rise against me, O God;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life,
with no regard for You.
15But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.
16Turn to me and have mercy;
grant Your strength to Your servant;
save the son of Your maidservant.
17Show me a sign of Your goodness,
that my enemies may see and be ashamed;
for You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Introduction
Psalms 86
This psalm is entitled "a prayer of David;" probably it was not penned upon any particular occasion, but was a prayer he often used himself, and recommended to others for their use, especially in a day of affliction. Many think that David penned this prayer as a type of Christ, "who in the days of his flesh offered up strong cries," Heb 5:7. David, in this prayer (according to the nature of that duty), I. Gives glory to God (Psa 86:8-10, Psa 86:12, Psa 86:13). II. Seeks for grace and favour from God, that God would hear his prayers (Psa 86:1, Psa 86:6, Psa 86:7), preserve and save him, and be merciful to him (Psa 86:2, Psa 86:3, Psa 86:16), that he would give him joy, and grace, and strength, and put honour upon him (Psa 86:4, Psa 86:11, Psa 86:17). He pleads God's goodness (Psa 86:5, Psa 86:15) and the malice of his enemies (Psa 86:14). In singing this we must, as David did, lift up our souls to God with application.
A Prayer of David.
Cross-references: Heb 5:7 · Ps 86:8 · Ps 86:12 · Ps 86:13 · Ps 86:1 · Ps 86:6 · Ps 86:7 · Ps 86:2 · Ps 86:3 · Ps 86:16 · Ps 86:4 · Ps 86:11 · Ps 86:17 · Ps 86:5 · Ps 86:15 · Ps 86:14