Psalm 86 - David's Prayer for Mercy and an Undivided Heart
David's plea as one both poor and needy, and confident he will be heard.
Unlike the surrounding psalms of Korah, Psalm 86 is labeled simply 'A Prayer of David,' opening with the honest admission 'I am poor and needy.' It follows Psalms 85 with a more personal, first-person voice asking to be taught God's way.
Bow down thine ear, O יהוה, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my soul; for I am dedicated: O thou my Elohim, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
Be merciful unto me, O יהוה: for I cry unto thee daily.
Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O יהוה, do I lift up my soul.
For thou, יהוה, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Give ear, O יהוה, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
Among the elohim there is none like unto thee, O יהוה; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O יהוה; and shall glorify thy name.
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art Elohim alone.
Teach me thy way, O יהוה; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O יהוה my Elohim, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
O Elohim, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
But thou, O יהוה, art an El full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, YHWH, hast helped me, and comforted me.