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Psalms 86

17 verses

TL;DR

A heartfelt plea for mercy and an affirmation of God's faithfulness.

Summary

In Psalm 86, the psalmist calls on the Lord to hear his humble plea, recognizing his poverty and the Lord's righteousness. He appeals for protection and mercy, promising to praise and walk in truth. He acknowledges the Lord's uniqueness among gods and the eventual worship of all nations. The psalm concludes with a request for deliverance from enemies and a desire to demonstrate God's help as a witness. The psalm balances lament with confidence in God's compassionate nature.

Outline
  1. Prayer for mercy and deliverance
  2. Affirmation of God's sovereignty and call to praise
  3. Resolution to show God's faithfulness amid adversity
Themes
Mercy and CompassionFaithful PraiseDeliverance from Oppression
Keywords
earmercifulsoulprayertruthworshipfeardeliverancepride
People
DavidGod
Places
Things
prayermercifulsoultruthworshipdeliverance
Key Verses
  • Psalms 86:5: Highlights God's readiness to forgive and abundance of mercy.
  • Psalms 86:8: Affirms God's uniqueness among the gods.
  • Psalms 86:10: Declares God's greatness and wonders.
  • Psalms 86:13: Testifies to God's mercy in saving the soul.
  • Psalms 86:17: Shows the psalmist's desire for a token of God's help.
Questions
  • How does the psalmist’s plea for mercy affect your own approach to prayer?
  • What does the repetition of ‘loud’ and ‘daily’ suggest about the nature of faith?
  • In what ways does the Psalm affirm God’s uniqueness among other deities?
  • How can the promise of deliverance guide believers facing persecution?
Sentiment

mixed
The Psalm blends lament for hardship with hopeful praise for divine mercy.