Psalms 86:2-12

2 Preserve my life, for I am faithful; save your servant, who puts his trust in you because you are my God.

3 Take pity on me, Adonai, for I cry to you all day.

4 Fill your servant's heart with joy, for to you, Adonai, I lift my heart.

5 Adonai, you are kind and forgiving, full of grace toward all who call on you.

6 Listen, ADONAI, to my prayer; pay attention to my pleading cry.

7 On the day of my trouble I am calling on you, for you will answer me.

8 There is none like you among the gods, Adonai; no deeds compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made will come and bow before you, Adonai; they will honor your name.

10 For you are great, and you do wonders; you alone are God.

11 ADONAI, teach me your way, so that I can live by your truth; make me single-hearted, so that I can fear your name.

12 I will thank you, Adonai my God, with my whole heart; and I will glorify your name forever.

Psalms 86:2-12 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.