ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 86
“For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.”
Psalms 86:5
The psalmist declares that Yahweh is good and forgiving, which assures him of mercy as he seeks help in his time of need.
What Psalm 86 is about
The psalmist cries out to Yahweh for attention, declaring his poverty and neediness (vv. 1-2). He asks for mercy and joy, trusting in Yahweh’s goodness and readiness to forgive (vv. 3-5). In his prayer, he seeks God’s response, confident that God will answer him when he calls (vv. 6-7). The psalmist acknowledges God’s uniqueness, noting that no other gods can compare and that all nations will worship Him (vv. 8-10). He expresses a desire for guidance, asking Yahweh to teach him His ways and to make his heart undivided (vv. 11-13). The psalmist faces opposition from proud enemies who disregard God (vv. 14-15). He requests strength and mercy, pleading for God to save him and show a sign of His goodness (vv. 16-17).
Yahweh's mercy and strength are sought in the face of trouble and opposition from others.
Psalm 86 at a glance
- Psalm 86:1–2Plea for God's Attention
- Psalm 86:3–5Request for Mercy and Joy
- Psalm 86:6–7Seeking God's Response
- Psalm 86:8–10God's Uniqueness and Greatness
- Psalm 86:11–13Desire for Guidance and Praise
- Psalm 86:14–15Opposition and God's Character
- Psalm 86:16–17Final Plea for Strength and Sign
Key verse: Psalms 86:5
One thing to notice
The psalmist begins with a personal plea for help in verses 1-2, using the phrases 'I am poor and needy' and 'I am godly.' This contrasts with a call for nations to worship God in verses 8-9, which shifts the focus from individual need to collective recognition of God's greatness. The personal and communal elements are distinct.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 86 (WEB)
Plea for God's Attention Psalm 86:1–2
1Verse 1. Hear, Yahweh, and answer me,for I am poor and needy.2Verse 2. Preserve my soul, for I am godly.You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
Request for Mercy and Joy Psalm 86:3–5
3Verse 3. Be merciful to me, Lord,for I call to you all day long.4Verse 4. Bring joy to the soul of your servant,for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.5Verse 5. For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive;abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.
Seeking God's Response Psalm 86:6–7
6Verse 6. Hear, Yahweh, my prayer.Listen to the voice of my petitions.7Verse 7. In the day of my trouble I will call on you,for you will answer me.
God's Uniqueness and Greatness Psalm 86:8–10
8Verse 8. There is no one like you among the gods, Lord,nor any deeds like your deeds.9Verse 9. All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord.They shall glorify your name.10Verse 10. For you are great, and do wondrous things.You are God alone.
Desire for Guidance and Praise Psalm 86:11–13
11Verse 11. Teach me your way, Yahweh.I will walk in your truth.Make my heart undivided to fear your name.12Verse 12. I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart.I will glorify your name forever more.13Verse 13. For your loving kindness is great toward me.You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
Opposition and God's Character Psalm 86:14–15
14Verse 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.15Verse 15. But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God,slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
Final Plea for Strength and Sign Psalm 86:16–17
16Verse 16. Turn to me, and have mercy on me!Give your strength to your servant.Save the son of your servant.17Verse 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.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 86
Divine Mercy
In this psalm, the plea for mercy is central, particularly in v. 3 where the psalmist calls on the Lord, saying, 'Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.' This appeal continues in v. 15, where the psalmist acknowledges God's character as 'merciful and gracious.' The repeated calls for mercy throughout the psalm create a strong sense of reliance on God's compassionate nature.
Faithfulness
In verse 2, the psalmist identifies as 'godly' and seeks God's salvation, demonstrating his reliance on divine support. This trust is further articulated in verse 7, where the psalmist declares, 'In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.' The psalmist expresses a deep confidence in God's faithfulness, affirming a belief that God will respond to those who earnestly seek Him.
Trust in God's Sovereignty
Trust in God's sovereignty is articulated in v. 10, where the psalmist declares, 'For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone.' This assertion of God's unique power reinforces the psalmist's reliance on God amidst opposition, as noted in vv. 14-15, where they face threats from 'the proud' and 'violent men.' The psalmist's trust is rooted in God's supreme authority.
Seeking Protection
In verse 16, the psalmist urgently seeks protection by asking, 'Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant.' This plea follows the acknowledgment in verse 14, where he notes that 'a company of violent men have sought after my soul.' Throughout the psalm, the psalmist's vulnerability is evident as he consistently turns to God for refuge and strength in times of trouble.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 86 unfolds
Psalm 86:1–2 Plea for God's Attention
The psalmist calls on Yahweh for help due to his condition of being 'poor and needy' (v. 1) and seeks preservation as someone who is godly (v. 2).
Psalm 86:3–5 Request for Mercy and Joy
The speaker requests mercy from God and expresses a desire for joy, emphasizing a continuous reliance on the Lord throughout the day (vv. 3-4) and acknowledging His goodness and readiness to forgive (v. 5).
Psalm 86:6–7 Seeking God's Response
The psalmist seeks God's response by asking Him to hear his prayer and listen to his petitions (vv. 6-7), affirming his confidence that God will indeed answer in times of trouble.
Psalm 86:8–10 God's Uniqueness and Greatness
The psalmist proclaims, 'There is no one like you among the gods, Lord' (v. 8), and expresses that 'all nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord' (vv. 9-10), affirming God's greatness and uniqueness.
Psalm 86:11–13 Desire for Guidance and Praise
The speaker asks God to teach him His ways (v. 11) and expresses a commitment to praise and glorify God with his entire heart (vv. 12-13), recognizing God's loving kindness in his life.
Psalm 86:14–15 Opposition and God's Character
The psalmist acknowledges opposition from proud and violent individuals who do not respect God (v. 14), contrasting their actions with God's merciful and gracious character (v. 15).
Psalm 86:16–17 Final Plea for Strength and Sign
In a final plea, the speaker asks God to turn and show mercy (v. 16), seeking strength and a sign of goodness to confront his enemies, affirming God's role as a comforter (v. 17).
Key verses
Psalms 86:5The psalmist declares that Yahweh is good and forgiving, which assures him of mercy as he seeks help in his time of need.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 86
- observeIn v2, what does David ask God to do for his 'soul'?
- observeWhat does David say about God's character in v5 that encourages him to call on Him?
- interpretIn v10, why does David emphasize that God is 'God alone' when discussing God's deeds?
- interpretIn v15, what implications arise from describing God as 'slow to anger' in the context of David's situation?
- applyWhen have you called on God for help in a time of trouble, as David does in v7?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 86
- Exodus 34Psalm 86:15 and Exodus 34:6Both declare God's mercy: Psalm 86:15 says God is merciful and gracious, while Exodus 34:6 proclaims God as a merciful and gracious God.
- Psalm 25Psalm 86:11 and Psalm 25:4Both seek divine guidance: Psalm 86:11 asks God to teach His way, while Psalm 25:4 requests God to show His paths.
- Lamentations 3Psalm 86:15 and Lamentations 3:22Both emphasize God's loving kindness: Psalm 86:15 describes God as abundant in loving kindness, while Lamentations 3:22 states His loving kindnesses prevent our consumption.
- Psalm 119Psalm 86:11 and Psalm 119:33Both request teaching of God’s ways: Psalm 86:11 asks to teach His way, while Psalm 119:33 requests teaching of His statutes.
- Psalm 103Psalm 86:15 and Psalm 103:8Both highlight God's nature: Psalm 86:15 describes God as gracious, while Psalm 103:8 affirms God as merciful and gracious.
- Psalm 130Psalm 86:15 and Psalm 130:7Both express hope in God’s loving kindness: Psalm 86:15 describes God’s abundant loving kindness, while Psalm 130:7 encourages hope in Yahweh.
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