Psalm 86

Living Bible

86 Bend down and hear my prayer, O Lord, and answer me, for I am deep in trouble.

² Protect me from death, for I try to follow all your laws. Save me, for I am serving you and trusting you. ³ Be merciful, O Lord, for I am looking up to you in constant hope. ⁴ Give me happiness, O Lord, for I worship only you. ⁵ O Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid.

⁶ Listen closely to my prayer, O God. Hear my urgent cry. ⁷ I will call to you whenever trouble strikes, and you will help me.

⁸ Where among the heathen gods is there a god like you? Where are their miracles? ⁹ All the nations—and you made each one—will come and bow before you, Lord, and praise your great and holy name. ¹⁰ For you are great and do great miracles. You alone are God.

¹¹ Tell me where you want me to go and I will go there. May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name. ¹² With all my heart I will praise you. I will give glory to your name forever, ¹³ for you love me so much! You are constantly so kind! You have rescued me from deepest hell.

¹⁴ O God, proud and insolent men defy me; violent, godless men are trying to kill me. ¹⁵ But you are merciful and gentle, Lord, slow in getting angry, full of constant loving-kindness and of truth; ¹⁶ so look down in pity and grant strength to your servant and save me. ¹⁷ Send me a sign of your favor. When those who hate me see it, they will lose face because you help and comfort me.