Psalms 86

Supplication for Help Against Enemies

¹Hear, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

²Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.

³Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.

⁴Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.

⁵For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.

⁶Hear, LORD, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions.

⁷In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.

⁸There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.

⁹All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name.

¹⁰For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone.

¹¹Teach me your way, LORD. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.

¹²I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forever more.

¹³For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.

¹⁴God, 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.

¹⁵But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.

¹⁶Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant.

¹⁷Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, LORD, have helped me, and comforted me.

Previous Psalms 85

Next Psalms 87

Psalm 86 is a heartfelt prayer of David seeking God's protection and mercy in the face of violent enemies. The psalm weaves together urgent petitions for deliverance with profound declarations of God's unique character—His goodness, forgiveness, and loving kindness. David appeals to his relationship as God's servant while acknowledging his own poverty and need, ultimately requesting a visible sign of God's favor that will shame his adversaries.

Context

This individual lament stands among the personal prayers attributed to David, sharing themes of enemy opposition and divine deliverance common throughout the Psalter.

Key Themes

Outline

1-4
Urgent Appeal for Divine Help David opens with desperate pleas based on his poverty, godliness, and trust in God.
5-7
Confidence in God's Character The psalmist grounds his petition in God's goodness, forgiveness, and faithful response to prayer.
8-10
Declaration of God's Uniqueness David proclaims God's incomparable nature and universal sovereignty over all nations.
11-13
Prayer for Spiritual Integrity The psalmist seeks divine instruction and promises wholehearted devotion in response to God's great mercy.
14-17
Final Plea Against Enemies David describes his violent opponents and requests a visible sign of God's favor to vindicate him.

Supplication for Help Against Enemies

86:1–86:17

poetry prayer urgent

A psalm of supplication where the psalmist pleads for God's help against enemies, expressing trust in God's mercy and seeking deliverance from trouble.

theme_rarity

David's plea interweaves "mercy" and "trust" in verse 2-3, a rare thematic pairing found in only one other biblical passage, creating an intimate portrait of vulnerable dependence on divine compassion.

Insight Rare Theme