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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.

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

Hear me, Lord, and answer(A) me,
    for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.(B)
You are my God; have mercy(C) on me, Lord,
    for I call(D) to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust(E) in you.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love(F) to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry(G) for mercy.
When I am in distress,(H) I call(I) to you,
    because you answer(J) me.

Among the gods(K) there is none like you,(L) Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made
    will come(M) and worship(N) before you, Lord;
    they will bring glory(O) to your name.
10 For you are great(P) and do marvelous deeds;(Q)
    you alone(R) are God.

11 Teach me your way,(S) Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;(T)
give me an undivided(U) heart,
    that I may fear(V) your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;(W)
    I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me(X) from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.(Y)

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for you.(Z)
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious(AA) God,
    slow to anger,(AB) abounding(AC) in love and faithfulness.(AD)
16 Turn to me(AE) and have mercy(AF) on me;
    show your strength(AG) in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.(AH)
17 Give me a sign(AI) of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.