86 Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 O 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.

15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

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

17 Shew 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.

Psalm 86

Supplication for Help against Enemies

A Prayer of David.

Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.(A)
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;(B) be gracious to me, O Lord,
    for to you do I cry all day long.(C)
Gladden the soul of your servant,
    for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.(D)
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.(E)
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my cry of supplication.(F)
In the day of my trouble I call on you,
    for you will answer me.(G)

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
    nor are there any works like yours.(H)
All the nations you have made shall come
    and bow down before you, O Lord,
    and shall glorify your name.(I)
10 For you are great and do wondrous things;
    you alone are God.(J)
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
    give me an undivided heart to revere your name.(K)
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.(L)

14 O God, the insolent rise up against me;
    a band of ruffians seeks my life,
    and they do not set you before them.(M)
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.(N)
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;
    give your strength to your servant;
    save the child of your maidservant.(O)
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
    so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,
    because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.(P)

A Prayer for Help[a]

86 Listen to me, Lord, and answer me,
    for I am helpless and weak.
Save me from death, because I am loyal to you;
    save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.

You are my God, so be merciful to me;
    I pray to you all day long.
Make your servant glad, O Lord,
    because my prayers go up to you.
You are good to us and forgiving,
    full of constant love for all who pray to you.

Listen, Lord, to my prayer;
    hear my cries for help.
I call to you in times of trouble,
    because you answer my prayers.

There is no god like you, O Lord,
    not one has done what you have done.
(A)All the nations that you have created
    will come and bow down to you;
    they will praise your greatness.
10 You are mighty and do wonderful things;
    you alone are God.

11 Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do,
    and I will obey you faithfully;
    teach me to serve you with complete devotion.
12 I will praise you with all my heart, O Lord my God;
    I will proclaim your greatness forever.
13 How great is your constant love for me!
    You have saved me from the grave itself.
14 Proud people are coming against me, O God;
    a cruel gang is trying to kill me—
    people who pay no attention to you.
15 But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God,
    always patient, always kind and faithful.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    strengthen me and save me,
    because I serve you just as my mother did.
17 Show me proof of your goodness, Lord;
    those who hate me will be ashamed
    when they see that you have given me comfort and help.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 86:1 HEBREW TITLE: A prayer by David.