# Psalm 86 📖: A Prayer for Mercy
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[[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 85]] | [[Psalm 87]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#💬 Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#📂 Internal Notes]]
## 📜 Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
#### A prayer of David.
[[#Verse 01.]] Listen, O Lord. Answer me.
For I am oppressed and needy.
[[#Verse 02.]] Protect me, for I am loyal.
You are my God; deliver your servant who trusts in you.
[[#Verse 03.]] Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I cry out to you all day long.
[[#Verse 04.]] Make your servant glad,
for to you, O Lord, I pray.
[[#Verse 05.]] Certainly, O Lord, you are kind and forgiving,
and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you.
[[#Verse 06.]] O Lord, hear my prayer.
Pay attention to my plea for mercy.
[[#Verse 07.]] In my time of trouble I cry out to you,
for you will answer me.
[[#Verse 08.]] None can compare to you among the gods, O Lord.
Your exploits are incomparable.
[[#Verse 09.]] All the nations, whom you created,
will come and worship you, O Lord.
They will honor your name.
[[#Verse 10.]] For you are great and do amazing things.
You alone are God.
[[#Verse 11.]] O Lord, teach me how you want me to live.
Then I will obey your commands.
Make me wholeheartedly committed to you.
[[#Verse 12.]] O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks with my whole heart.
I will honor your name continually.
[[#Verse 13.]] For you will extend your great loyal love to me,
and will deliver my life from the depths of Sheol.
[[#Verse 14.]] O God, arrogant men attack me;
a gang of ruthless men, who do not respect you, seek my life.
[[#Verse 15.]] But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God.
You are patient and demonstrate great loyal love and faithfulness.
[[#Verse 16.]] Turn toward me and have mercy on me.
Give your servant your strength.
Deliver this son of your female servant.
[[#Verse 17.]] Show me evidence of your favor.
Then those who hate me will see it and be ashamed,
for you, O Lord, will help me and comfort me.
## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Psalm 86 is the only psalm in Book III (Psalms 73-89) attributed to David.
2. It is called "a prayer of David," like Psalm 17.
3. Much of its language echoes other Scriptures, especially Exodus and other psalms of David.
4. Verse 15 echoes God's description of Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6.
5. Verse 9, which says all nations will come and worship, is echoed in Revelation 15:4.
6. David calls himself God's "servant" several times (86:2, 4, 16).
7. The request for a "sign of Your favor" (86:17) is a prayer for visible evidence of God's goodness.
8. The phrase "son of Your maidservant" (86:16) means one born into a household as a servant, someone who belongs to God from birth.
9. "Unite my heart" (86:11) uses a word that means to make one or undivided.
10. The psalm moves between lament, praise, and petition several times rather than in a straight line.
## 🧠 Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the Lord to whom all nations will come and bow (86:9). Revelation 15:4 echoes this verse in the song of the Lamb. Jesus also prayed as the faithful Servant in His time of trouble (Hebrews 5:7).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## 💬 Discussion Questions
1. David calls himself poor and needy (86:1). Why is humility the starting point of real prayer?
2. David asks God to teach him His way and give him an undivided heart (86:11). Where is your heart divided right now?
3. Verse 15 describes God as compassionate, gracious, and abounding in loyal love. Which of these do you most need to believe today?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- 📖 verse 5: The Lord is good and ready to forgive, rich in loyal love to all who call on Him.
- 📖 verse 11: Teach me Your way, O Lord, and give me a heart that is fully devoted to fear Your name.
- 📖 verse 15: The Lord is a compassionate and merciful God, slow to anger and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness.
## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference
- 🔗 [[Exodus 34#Verse 06.|Exodus 34:6-7]] - The Lord, compassionate and gracious.
- 🔗 [[Psalm 103#Verse 08.|Psalm 103:8]] - The Lord is merciful and slow to anger.
- 🔗 [[Revelation 15#Verse 03.|Revelation 15:3-4]] - All nations will come and worship.
- 🔗 [[James 01#Verse 06.|James 1:6-8]] - A double-minded person is unstable.
- 🔗 [[Hebrews 05#Verse 07.|Hebrews 5:7]] - Jesus offered prayers with loud cries.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
📝 SOAP: [[Psalm 86- SOAP|God is Ready to Forgive]]
## 📂 Internal Notes