Psalm 86 explained: A Plain Prayer in Hard Times

A needy person asks to be heard (vv. 1-7)

The writer, traditionally David, pleads his poverty and his belonging to God, calling himself God's servant. When he calls himself faithful or godly, the Hebrew word suggests someone bound to God by loyal love, not someone boasting of being good.

No god like this one (vv. 8-10)

In a world where every nation had its own gods, the writer insists the LORD has no equal and is in fact the only God, so one day all peoples will come to worship. Christians later read this as pointing to people of every nation coming to God through Jesus.

Asking for a whole heart (vv. 11-13)

He asks to be taught God's way and given a heart that is not torn between competing loyalties. Being rescued from the depths of Sheol, the shadowy place of the dead, most likely means he had come close to death and been brought back.

Enemies and God's character (vv. 14-15)

Arrogant, violent people who ignore God are out to kill him. He answers by quoting almost word for word how God described himself to Moses in Exodus: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, full of love and faithfulness.

A request for a visible sign (vv. 16-17)

In Hebrew he calls himself the son of God's servant woman, picturing someone born into God's household and belonging to God from birth. He asks for some clear mark of God's goodness that his enemies could see, though the psalm never says what that sign would be.

Key verse: Psalm 86:15

Something to think about

Where in your life do you feel pulled in different directions, and what would it take for you to feel whole?