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.
A Prayer of David. Bow down thy ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
Be merciful to me, O Lord: for I cry to thee daily.
Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and abundant in mercy to all them that call upon thee.
Give ear, O LORD, to 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 gods there is none like thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like thy works.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
For great is thy mercy towards me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
O God, the proud have risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious; long-suffering, and abundant in mercy and truth.
O turn to me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid.
Show me a token for good; that they who hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast helped me, and comforted me.