Psalms 86:1-6

1 Let your ears be open to my voice, O Lord, and give me an answer; for I am poor and in need.

2 Keep my soul, for I am true to you; O my God, give salvation to your servant, whose hope is in you.

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord; for my cry goes up to you all the day.

4 Make glad the soul of your servant; for it is lifted up to you, O Lord.

5 You are good, O Lord, and full of forgiveness; your mercy is great to all who make their cry to you.

6 O Lord, give ear to my prayer; and take note of the sound of my requests.

Psalms 86:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 86

\\<>\\. The title is the same with the Seventeenth Psalm, and the subject of it is much alike: it was written by David, when in distress, and his life was sought after; very likely when he was persecuted by Saul, and fled from him; so Aben Ezra, Jarchi, and Kimchi: and as he was a type of Christ in his afflictions, as well as in his exalted state, it may not be unfitly applied to him, as it is by some interpreters. The Syriac inscription of it is, ``for David, when he built an house for the Lord; and a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles; and moreover, a prayer of a peculiar righteous man.'' Theodoret thinks it predicts the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrians, and Hezekiah's hope in God.