Psalms 86:1-9

1 Listen to me, Lord, and answer me, for I am helpless and weak.

2 Save me from death, because I am loyal to you; save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.

3 You are my God, so be merciful to me; I pray to you all day long.

4 Make your servant glad, O Lord, because my prayers go up to you.

5 You are good to us and forgiving, full of constant love for all who pray to you.

6 Listen, Lord, to my prayer; hear my cries for help.

7 I call to you in times of trouble, because you answer my prayers.

8 There is no god like you, O Lord, not one has done what you have done.

9 All the nations that you have created ¹ will come and bow down to you; they will praise your greatness.

Psalms 86:1-9 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.

Cross References

• 1. 86.9Revelation 15.4.