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Wisdom & Poetry · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Psalm 86

Psalm 86 is read especially through the theme of praise, within Book III (Psalms 73–89). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application.

PraiseMercy & ForgivenessTrust & Refuge
Old Testament

Psalm 86

1A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

2Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.

3Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.

4Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.

6Hear, LORD, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions.

7In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.

8There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.

9All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name.

10For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone.

11Teach me your way, LORD. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.

12I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forever more.

13For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.

14God, 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.

15But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.

16Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant.

17Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, LORD, have helped me, and comforted me.

READ IN CONTEXT

Understanding Psalm 86

Psalm 86 is read especially through the theme of praise, within Book III (Psalms 73–89). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application. Read it within the complete five-book Psalms collection, then compare its prayer language with the types of prayer found across Scripture. Classification is a reading aid rather than a replacement for the Psalm's own movement and tension.

Collection

Book III (Psalms 73–89). The five-book shape of the Psalter helps readers hear individual prayers within a deliberately arranged collection.

Themes detected

Praise, Mercy & Forgiveness, Trust & Refuge. Read for these themes while remaining open to tension and secondary movements.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Psalm 86

Psalm 86 contains 17 verses and about 290 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 17 closes: “Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, LORD, have helped me, and comforted me.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include will, soul, servant, call, loving, kindness. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Psalm 86

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Psalms 86:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

What kind of Psalm is this?+

Our reading profile emphasizes praise, with related themes of Praise, Mercy & Forgiveness, Trust & Refuge. Many Psalms blend genres or move between moods, so this label is a guide rather than a rigid classification.

A SMALL NEXT STEP

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