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The Bible · 564 of 1189

Psalms 86

1.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.

Asked of Guide

Why does the psalmist call God “plenteous in mercy” and ask for a “token for good”?

The psalmist names God “plenteous in mercy” to describe God’s character: generous forgiveness and steadfast compassion (verses 5, 15). That portrayal explains the psalmist’s confidence to pray continually and to trust that God will answer in times of trouble (verses 3, 7).

Asking for a “token for good” (verse 17) is a request for visible help so enemies recognize God’s intervention and are ashamed, linking personal deliverance to public vindication. This movement from intimate trust to a demonstrable sign echoes themes in Exodus where signs confirm God’s saving presence.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.