Psalm 86

Lament and Petition

A prayer of David.

¹Listen, Lord, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy. ^a

²Protect my life, for I am faithful. ^b

You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. ^c

³Be gracious to me, Lord,

for I call to you all day long. ^d

⁴Bring joy to your servant’s life,

because I appeal to you, Lord. ^e

⁵For you, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, ^f

abounding in faithful love to all who call on you. ^g

⁶Lord, hear my prayer;

listen to my cries for mercy. ^h

⁷I call on you in the day of my distress,

for you will answer me. ⁱ

⁸Lord, there is no one like you among the gods,

and there are no works like yours. ^j

⁹All the nations you have made

will come and bow down before you, Lord,

and will honor your name. ^k

¹⁰For you are great and perform wonders;

you alone are God. ^l

¹¹Teach me your way, Lord,

and I will live by your truth.

Give me an undivided mind to fear your name. ^m

¹²I will praise you with all my heart, Lord my God,

and will honor your name forever. ⁿ

¹³For your faithful love for me is great,

and you rescue my life from the depths of Sheol. ^o

¹⁴God, arrogant people have attacked me;

a gang of ruthless men intends to kill me.

They do not let you guide them. ^p,^q

¹⁵But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth. ^r

¹⁶Turn to me and be gracious to me.

Give your strength to your servant;

save the son of your female servant. ^s

¹⁷Show me a sign of your goodness;

my enemies will see and be put to shame

because you, Lord, have helped and comforted me. ^t