Psalms 86

A Prayer of David.

¹Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me, For I am distressed and needy [I long for Your help]. ²Protect my life (soul), for I am godly and faithful; O You my God, save Your servant, who trusts in You [believing in You and relying on You, confidently committing everything to You]. ³Be gracious and merciful to me, O Lord, For to You I cry out all the day long. ⁴Make Your servant rejoice, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul [all that I am—in prayer]. ⁵For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; And abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You. ⁶Hear, O Lord, my prayer; And listen attentively to the voice of my supplications (specific requests)! ⁷In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. ⁸There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works [of wonder and majesty] like Yours. ⁹All nations whom You have made shall come and kneel down in worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. ¹⁰For You are great and do wondrous works! You alone are God. ¹¹¶Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk and live in Your truth; Direct my heart to fear Your name [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder]. [Ps 5:11; 69:36] ¹²I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; And will glorify Your name forevermore. ¹³For great is Your lovingkindness and graciousness toward me; And You have rescued my life from the depths of Sheol [from death]. ¹⁴¶O God, arrogant and insolent men have risen up against me; A band of violent men have sought my life, And they have not set You before them. ¹⁵But You, O Lord, are a God [who protects and is] merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth. ¹⁶Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Grant Your strength [Your might and the power to resist temptation] to Your servant, And save the son of Your handmaid. ¹⁷Show me a sign of [Your] goodwill, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, O Lord, helped and comforted me.