1
Hear, The LORD, and answer me,for I am poor and needy. +
2
Preserve my soul, for I am godly.You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
3
Be merciful to me, Lord,for I call to you all day long.
4
Bring joy to the soul of your servant,for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul. +
5
For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive;abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you. +
6
Hear, The LORD, my prayer.Listen to the voice of my petitions.
7
In the day of my trouble I will call on you,for you will answer me.
8
There is no one like you among the gods, Lord,nor any deeds like your deeds. +
9
All nations you have made will come and
worship before you, Lord.They shall
glorify your name.
+10
For you are great, and do wondrous things.You are God alone.
11
Teach me your way, The LORD.I will walk in your truth.Make my
heart undivided to fear your name.
+12
I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart.I will glorify your name forever more.
13
For your loving kindness is great toward me.You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol. +
14
God, 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.
15
But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God,slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth. +
16
Turn to me, and have
mercy on me!Give your strength to your servant.Save the son of your servant.
+17
Show me a sign of your goodness,that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed,because you, The LORD, have helped me, and comforted me. +
Ps 86:1-17. This is a prayer in which the writer, with deep emotion, mingles petitions and praises, now urgent for help, and now elated with hope, in view of former mercies. The occurrence of many terms and phrases peculiar to David's Psalms clearly intimates its authorship.
1, 2. poor and needy--a suffering child of God, as in Ps 10:12, 17; 18:27.
I am holy--or, "godly," as in Ps 4:3; 85:8.