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Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
    answer me, for I need your help.
Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
    Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
    You are my God.
Be merciful to me, O Lord,
    for I am calling on you constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord,
    for I give myself to you.
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
    so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
    hear my urgent cry.
I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
    and you will answer me.

No pagan god is like you, O Lord.
    None can do what you do!
All the nations you made
    will come and bow before you, Lord;
    they will praise your holy name.
10 For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
    You alone are God.

11 Teach me your ways, O Lord,
    that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
    so that I may honor you.
12 With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
    I will give glory to your name forever,
13 for your love for me is very great.
    You have rescued me from the depths of death.[a]

14 O God, insolent people rise up against me;
    a violent gang is trying to kill me.
    You mean nothing to them.
15 But you, O Lord,
    are a God of compassion and mercy,
slow to get angry
    and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
16 Look down and have mercy on me.
    Give your strength to your servant;
    save me, the son of your servant.
17 Send me a sign of your favor.
    Then those who hate me will be put to shame,
    for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.

Footnotes

  1. 86:13 Hebrew of Sheol.

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