David’s Prayer for Mercy, Deliverance, and an Undivided Heart Before God

Psalm 86 is David’s humble, urgent prayer for mercy, protection, and guidance, spoken from a place of need and dependence on God. He appeals to the LORD’s character—good, ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all who call upon Him—contrasting the living God with powerless idols. Surrounded by proud and violent enemies, David asks for deliverance and for God to strengthen him, not because he is strong, but because God is gracious. The psalm also seeks inner transformation: “teach me thy way” and “unite my heart,” so the worshipper walks in truth without divided loyalty. It ends with confidence that God will show a visible sign of favor, putting shame to those who oppose, because the LORD has helped and comforted him.

Psalms 86:1 – 86:17

  1 A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I [am] poor and needy.
  2 Preserve my soul; for I [am] holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
  3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
  4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
  5 For thou, Lord, [art] good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
  6 Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
  7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
  8 Among the gods [there is] none like unto thee, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto thy works.
  9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
  10 For thou [art] great, and doest wondrous things: thou [art] God alone.
  11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
  12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

  13 For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

  14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent [men] have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
  15 But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
  16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
  17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see [it], and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.