Psalm 86 – A Prayer for Divine Guidance and Favour

A prayer of David.

86 Incline your ear, Lord, and answer me,

for I am afflicted and needy.

2 Guard me, for I am loyal:

save your servant, who trusts in you.

3 Lord, be gracious to me, for you are my God;

I cry to you all the day.

4 Gladden the heart of your servant;

for to you, Lord, I set my hope.

5 For you, Lord, are good and forgiving,

rich in love towards all who call on you.

6 Listen, O Lord, to my prayer;

attend to my plea for mercy.

7 In the day of my trouble I call on you,

with assurance that you will answer me.

8 None of the gods is like you, Lord,

nor are any works like yours.

9 All the nations you have made

will come and bow down before you,

giving glory, O Lord, to your name.

10 For great are you, and a doer of wonders;

you alone are God.

11 Teach me, O Lord, your way,

that I may walk in your truth:

so my heart shall rejoice in your name.

12 I will give you thanks, O Lord,

with all my heart, my God,

I will honour your name forever.

13 For great is your love towards me,

from the depths of Sheol you have saved me.

14 Haughty men have risen up against me, O God,

a band of the violent seeking my life,

who think nothing of you.

15 But you are a God of pity and grace,

patient and rich in kindness and faithfulness;

turn to me with your grace, O Lord.

16 Grant your strength to your servant,

and save the child of your handmaid.

17 Show me a sign of your favour,

which those who hate me may see with confusion,

since you, Lord, are my helper and comforter.