Psalm 86
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 86
Supplication for Help against Enemies
A Prayer of David.
1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.(A)
2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;(B) 3 be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all day long.(C)
4 Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.(D)
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.(E)
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication.(F)
7 In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.(G)
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.(H)
9 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)
Psalm 86
International Standard Version
A Davidic prayer
Help Us, God
86 Lord, listen and answer me,
for I am afflicted and needy.
2 Protect me, for I am faithful;[a]
My God, deliver your servant who trusts in you.
3 Have mercy on me Lord,
for I call on you all day long.
4 Your servant rejoices,
because, Lord, I set my hope on[b] you.
5 Indeed you, Lord, are kind and forgiving,
overflowing with gracious love to everyone who calls on you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
attend to my prayer of supplication.
7 In my troubled times I will call on you,
for you will answer me.
8 No one can compare with you among the gods, Lord;
No one can accomplish[c] your work.
9 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
- Psalm 86:2 Or righteous
- Psalm 86:4 Or I lift my soul to
- Psalm 86:8 The Heb. lacks can accomplish
- Psalm 86:11 Lit. my heart be undivided
- Psalm 86:13 I.e. the realm of the dead
- Psalm 86:14 Lit. don’t set you before them
- Psalm 86:15 Or slow to anger
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