Psalms 86

1 A Prayer. Of David. Let your ears be open to my voice, O Lord, and give me an answer; for I am poor and in need.

A prayer of David. Please listen to me, Lord! Please answer me, for I am weak and really need your help!

2 Keep my soul, for I am true to you; O my God, give salvation to your servant, whose hope is in you.

Don't let me die, for I am faithful to you. Save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you. You are my God.

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord; for my cry goes up to you all the day.

Be kind to me, Lord, for I call out to you all day long.

4 Make glad the soul of your servant; for it is lifted up to you, O Lord.

Make me happy, Lord, for I've dedicated my life to you.

5 You are good, O Lord, and full of forgiveness; your mercy is great to all who make their cry to you.

For you, Lord, are good; you are forgiving and full of trustworthy love for all who come to you.

6 O Lord, give ear to my prayer; and take note of the sound of my requests.

Lord, please listen to my prayer. Hear my call for help.

7 In the day of my trouble I send up my cry to you; for you will give me an answer.

When I'm in trouble I cry out to you because I know you will answer me.

8 There is no god like you, O Lord; there are no works like your works.

There's no one like you among the “gods,” Lord. No one can do the things you do.

9 Let all the nations whom you have made come and give worship to you, O Lord, giving glory to your name.

You created all the nations, and they will come and bow down before you, Lord. They will declare how wonderful you are.

10 For you are great, and do great works of wonder; you only are God.

For you are great, and do wonderful things! Only you are God.

11 Make your way clear to me, O Lord; I will go on my way in your faith: let my heart be glad in the fear of your name.

Lord, please teach me your way, so I can depend on your trustworthiness. Make me single-minded, so I can consistently honor the kind of person you are.

12 I will give you praise, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will give glory to your name for ever.

Lord my God, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will praise your character forever.

13 For your mercy to me is great; you have taken my soul up from the deep places of the underworld. (Sheol h7585)

For your trustworthy love for me is so great; you have saved me from death. (Sheol h7585)

14 O God, men of pride have come up against me, and the army of violent men would take my life; they have not put you before them.

God, arrogant people are attacking me, vicious people are trying to kill me. To them you count for nothing.

15 But you, O Lord, are a God full of pity and forgiveness, slow to get angry, great in mercy and wisdom.

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to become angry, full of trustworthy love and faithfulness.

16 O be turned to me and have mercy on me: give your strength to your servant, and your salvation to the son of her who is your servant.

Turn to me, have mercy on me. Give me your strength, your servant; save the son of your servant-girl.

17 Give me a sign for good; so that my haters may see it and be shamed; because you, Lord, have been my help and comfort.

Show me a sign that you approve of me! Those who hate me will see it, and they will be ashamed because you, Lord, have helped me.