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A Prayer by David.

86 Hear, Yahweh, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my soul, for I am godly.
    You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
Be merciful to me, Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to the soul of your servant,
    for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
    abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.
Hear, Yahweh, my prayer.
    Listen to the voice of my petitions.
In the day of my trouble I will call on you,
    for you will answer me.
There is no one like you among the gods, Lord,
    nor any deeds like your deeds.
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, Yahweh.
    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.[a]
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, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.

Footnotes

  1. 86:13 Sheol is the place of the dead.

A Davidic prayer

Help Us, God

86 Lord, listen and answer me,
    for I am afflicted and needy.
Protect me, for I am faithful;[a]
    My God, deliver your servant who trusts in you.
Have mercy on me Lord,
    for I call on you all day long.
Your servant rejoices,
    because, Lord, I set my hope on[b] you.
Indeed you, Lord, are kind and forgiving,
    overflowing with gracious love to everyone who calls on you.

Hear my prayer, Lord;
    attend to my prayer of supplication.

In my troubled times I will call on you,
    for you will answer me.

No one can compare with you among the gods, Lord;
    No one can accomplish[c] your work.
All the nations that you have established will come
    and worship you, my Lord.
        They will honor your name.
10 For you are great,
    and you are doing awesome things;
        you alone are God.

11 Teach me your ways, Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
        let me wholeheartedly[d] revere your name.

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole being;
    and I will honor your name continuously.
13 For great is your gracious love to me;
    you’ve delivered me from the depths of Sheol.[e]

14 God, arrogant men rise up against me,
    while a company of ruthless individuals want to kill me.
        They do not have regard for you.[f]
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate God,
    merciful and patient,[g]
        with unending gracious love and faithfulness.

16 Return to me and have mercy on me;
    clothe your servant with your strength
        and deliver the son of your maid servant.

17 Show me a sign of your goodness,
    so that those who hate me will see it and be ashamed.
        For you, Lord, will help and comfort me.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 86:2 Or righteous
  2. Psalm 86:4 Or I lift my soul to
  3. Psalm 86:8 The Heb. lacks can accomplish
  4. Psalm 86:11 Lit. my heart be undivided
  5. Psalm 86:13 I.e. the realm of the dead
  6. Psalm 86:14 Lit. don’t set you before them
  7. Psalm 86:15 Or slow to anger