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# Psalm 86
## Prayer in Time of Distress
1 A prayer of David. ^psalm-86-1
### I
Incline your ear, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and oppressed.
2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted; ^psalm-86-2
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;
3 be gracious to me, Lord; ^psalm-86-3
to you I call all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant; ^psalm-86-4
to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 Lord, you are good and forgiving, ^psalm-86-5
most merciful to all who call on you.
6 LORD, hear my prayer; ^psalm-86-6
listen to my cry for help.
7 On the day of my distress I call to you, ^psalm-86-7
for you will answer me.
### II
8 None among the gods can equal you, O Lord; ^psalm-86-8
nor can their deeds compare to yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come ^psalm-86-9
to bow before you, Lord,
and give honor to your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous deeds; ^psalm-86-10
and you alone are God.
### III
11 Teach me, LORD, your way ^psalm-86-11
that I may walk in your truth,
single-hearted and revering your name.
12 I will praise you with all my heart, ^psalm-86-12
glorify your name forever, Lord my God.
13 Your mercy to me is great; ^psalm-86-13
you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, the arrogant have risen against me; ^psalm-86-14
a ruthless band has sought my life;
to you they pay no heed.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, ^psalm-86-15
slow to anger, abounding in mercy and truth.
16 Turn to me, be gracious to me; ^psalm-86-16
give your strength to your servant;
save the son of your handmaid.
17 Give me a sign of your favor: ^psalm-86-17
make my enemies see, to their confusion,
that you, LORD, help and comfort me.
\* (Psalm 86) An individual lament. The psalmist, “poor and oppressed” ([Ps 86:1]), “devoted” ([Ps 86:2]), “your servant” ([Ps 86:2], [4], [16]), “rescued…from the depths of Sheol” ([Ps 86:13]), attacked by the ruthless ([Ps 86:14]), desires only God’s protection ([Ps 86:1] – [7], [11] – [17]).
a. (86:4) ([[psalm-25|Ps 25]]:1]; [143:8].
b. (86:5) [Jl 2:13].
c. (86:6) ([[psalm-05|Ps 5]]:2]; [130:1] – [2].
d. (86:8) [Ps 35:10]; [89:9]; ([[exodus-15|Ex 15]]:11]; [Dt 3:24]; [Jer 10:6].
e. (86:9) ([[psalm-22|Ps 22]]:28]; [Zec 14:16]; [Rv 15:4].
f. (86:11) ([[psalm-25|Ps 25]]:4]; [26:3]; [27:11]; [119:12], [35]; [143:8], [10].
g. (86:13) [Ps 30:4]; [40:3]; [Jon 2:7].
h. (86:15) [Ps 103:8]; [130:7]; [145:8]; [Ex 34:6].
i. (86:16) ([[psalm-25|Ps 25]]:16]; [116:16]; ([[wisdom-09|Wis 9]]:5].
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_New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C.
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