Psalms

Chapter 86

Tried but Trusting

This psalm is a deeply personal prayer in which David brings his poverty, need, and distress before the Lord while clinging to God's mercy and covenant character. He asks for preservation, joy, and attentive hearing, grounding his plea in the Lord's kindness, forgiveness, and readiness to answer all who call on him. The prayer expands into praise, declaring that no god compares with the Lord and that all nations will eventually worship before him because he alone does great wonders. It then returns to intimate petition, asking for instruction in God's way, an undivided heart, rescue from violent enemies, and a visible sign of divine goodness.

Psalm 86 is a model of tried but trusting prayer. It shows how distress, theology, praise, moral formation, and urgent request can all belong together in one faithful appeal to the compassionate and gracious God.

1 section·124 words·~1 min read

Begin reading Zoom into first section

Reader

Psalms 86

A continuous BSB reading flow. Turn on the guide when you want authored orientation; leave it off when you simply want the text.

vv. 1-17

Tried but Trusting

Open section

A¹ prayer of David. ²Preserve my soul, for I am godly. ³Be merciful to me, O Lord, ⁴Bring joy to Your servant, ⁵For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, ⁶Hear my prayer, O LORD, ⁷In the day of my distress I call on You,

⁸O Lord, there is none like You among the gods, ⁹All the nations You have made ¹⁰For You are great and perform wonders;

¹¹Teach me Your way, O LORD, ¹²I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; ¹³For great is Your loving devotion to me;

¹⁴The arrogant rise against me, O God; ¹⁵But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, ¹⁶Turn to me and have mercy; ¹⁷Show me a sign of Your goodness,

Section map

Open the closer view when you want it.

Each section keeps the passage focused, adds summaries and cross references, and gives verse-level links.

01vv. 1-17Tried but TrustingDavid opens by pleading for God to hear and preserve him, describing himself as poor, needy, and devoted, and asking for mercy because he calls on the Lord all day long. He supports these requests by praising God's goodness, forgiveness, and readiness to hear. The psalm then broadens into worship, affirming that no one among the gods is like the Lord and that all nations will come to worship him because he alone does marvelous things. In the final movement David asks to be taught God's way, to receive an undivided heart, and to be saved from arrogant enemies by the God who is compassionate, gracious, and full of steadfast love and truth.