Psalm 86

¹Listen O Lord ! Answer me![#tn Heb “turn your ear.”]

For I am oppressed and needy.

²Protect me, for I am loyal![#tn Heb “my life.”]

O my God, deliver your servant, who trusts in you!

³Have mercy on me, O Lord,[#tn Or “show me favor.”]

for I cry out to you all day long!

⁴Make your servant glad,[#tn Heb “the soul of your servant.”]

for to you, O Lord, I pray!

⁵Certainly O Lord, you are kind and forgiving,[#tn Or “for.”; #tn Heb “good.”]

and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you.

⁶O Lord , hear my prayer!

Pay attention to my plea for mercy!

⁷In my time of trouble I cry out to you,

for you will answer me.

⁸None can compare to you among the gods, O Lord!

Your exploits are incomparable!

⁹All the nations, whom you created,

will come and worship you, O Lord.

They will honor your name.

¹⁰For you are great and do amazing things.

You alone are God.

¹¹O Lord , teach me how you want me to live![#tn Heb “teach me your way.” The Lord’s “way” refers here to the moral principles he expects the psalmist to follow. See Pss 25:4; 27:11.]

Then I will obey your commands.

Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!

¹²O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks with my whole heart!

I will honor your name continually!

¹³For you will extend your great loyal love to me,[#tn Heb “for your loyal love [is] great over me.”]

and will deliver my life from the depths of Sheol.

¹⁴O God, arrogant men attack me;[#tn Heb “rise up against me.”]

a gang of ruthless men, who do not respect you, seek my life.

¹⁵But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God.

You are patient and demonstrate great loyal love and faithfulness.

¹⁶Turn toward me and have mercy on me!

Give your servant your strength!

Deliver your slave!

¹⁷Show me evidence of your favor![#tn Heb “Work with me a sign for good.” The expression “work a sign” also occurs in Judg 6:17.]

Then those who hate me will see it and be ashamed,

for you, O Lord , will help me and comfort me.