BOOK 19 OF 66 · WISDOM & POETRY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Psalms 86

Psalms book home•Chapter 86 of 150•17 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

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Psalms 86 Overview

David repeatedly asks God to hear because he is poor and needy, praises God's uniqueness and mercy, asks to be taught His way with a united heart, and seeks help against proud enemies.

PsalmsBook

86Chapter

17Verses

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Before you read Psalms 86

Coming from

Psalm 85 centered on prayer for renewed mercy after earlier restoration. Psalms is an anthology rather than a continuous chronological story, so the connection here is canonical and thematic.

In this chapter

David repeatedly asks God to hear because he is poor and needy, praises God's uniqueness and mercy, asks to be taught His way with a united heart, and seeks help against proud enemies.

Leads into

Psalm 87 turns to zion pictured as the birthplace of peoples from the nations, continuing the Psalter’s arranged movement without requiring that the two psalms describe consecutive historical events.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Psalm 86 belongs to Book III of the Psalter (Psalms 73–89). The phrase “preserve my soul; for I am holy” means David belongs to God as His devoted servant; it is not a claim of sinless perfection.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

David's prayer for mercy, an undivided heart, and deliverance.

Lament truth

In Psalm 86, biblical faith brings grief, fear, confusion, and need directly to God rather than hiding them.

Worship truth

In Psalm 86, worship is anchored in God’s holiness, works, and covenant faithfulness rather than empty ritual.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Lament connection

Lamentations 3 shows the same biblical freedom to bring profound affliction before God while still remembering hope. This connection helps frame Psalm 86.

Worship connection

John 4:23-24 teaches that true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth. This connection helps frame Psalm 86.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep lament in context

Do not mistake every anguished sentence in Psalm 86 for the psalmist’s settled theological conclusion; lament often voices how the crisis feels before faith answers it.

Keep worship in context

Do not assume every old-covenant worship form named in Psalm 86 is automatically a command for New Testament church practice.

Read Psalms 86 watching for…

poor and needy.

teach thy way.

unite my heart.

God full of compassion.

token for good.

Chapter outline2 sections

1-7David asks God to hear, preserve, forgive, and answer him in trouble 8-17David praises God’s uniqueness, asks to be taught his way, and seeks a token for good

A Prayer of David.Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

STUDY THIS VERSE

Psalms 86:2

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