< Psalms 86 >
1 A Prayer of David. Incline Thine ear, O LORD, and answer me; for I am poor and needy.
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 godly; O Thou my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee.
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 Be gracious unto me, O Lord; for unto Thee do I cry all the day.
Be kind to me, Lord, for I call out to you all day long.
4 Rejoice the soul of Thy servant; for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Make me happy, Lord, for I've dedicated my life to you.
5 For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to pardon, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.
For you, Lord, are good; you are forgiving and full of trustworthy love for all who come to you.
6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend unto the voice of my supplications.
Lord, please listen to my prayer. Hear my call for help.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon Thee; for Thou wilt answer me.
When I'm in trouble I cry out to you because I know you will answer me.
8 There is none like unto Thee among the gods, O Lord, and there are no works like Thine.
There's no one like you among the “gods,” Lord. No one can do the things you do.
9 All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and prostrate themselves before Thee, O Lord; and they shall glorify Thy 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 Thou art great, and doest wondrous things; Thou art God alone.
For you are great, and do wonderful things! Only you are God.
11 Teach me, O LORD, Thy way, that I may walk in Thy truth; make one my heart to fear Thy 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 thank Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart; and I will glorify Thy name for evermore.
Lord my God, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will praise your character forever.
13 For great is Thy mercy toward me; and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest nether-world. (Sheol )
For your trustworthy love for me is so great; you have saved me from death. (Sheol )
14 O God, the proud are risen up against me, and the company of violent men have sought after my soul, and have not set Thee before them.
God, arrogant people are attacking me, vicious people are trying to kill me. To them you count for nothing.
15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to become angry, full of trustworthy love and faithfulness.
16 O turn unto me, and be gracious unto me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thy handmaid.
Turn to me, have mercy on me. Give me your strength, your servant; save the son of your servant-girl.
17 Work in my behalf a sign for good; that they that hate me may see it, and be put to shame, because Thou, LORD, hast helped me, and comforted me.
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.