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A Cry for Help

A prayer of David.

86 Lord, ·listen to me [L incline your ear] and answer me.
    I am poor and ·helpless [needy].
·Protect [Guard] me, because I ·worship you [am loyal/holy/a saint].
    My God, ·save me [give me victory], your servant who ·trusts [has confidence] in you.
Lord, ·have mercy on [be gracious to] me,
    because I have called to you all day.
Give ·happiness [joy] to me, your servant,
    because I ·give [lift up] my life to you, Lord.
Lord, you are ·kind [good] and forgiving
    and have great ·love [loyalty] for those who call to you [Ex. 34:7].
Lord, ·hear [L give ear to] my prayer,
    and ·listen [pay attention] ·when I ask for mercy [L to the sound of my supplication].
I call to you in ·times of trouble [L the day of my distress],
    because you will answer me.

Lord, there is ·no god like you [L none like you among the gods; Ex. 15:11; 20:3]
    and no works like yours.
Lord, all the nations you have made
    will come and ·worship [bow down before] you.
    They will ·honor you [L glorify your name].
10 You are great and you do ·miracles [wonderful acts].
    Only you are God.
11 Lord, teach me ·what you want me to do [L your way],
    and I will ·live [walk] ·by your truth [in your faithfulness].
·Teach me to respect you completely [L Give me an undivided heart to fear your name].
12 Lord, my God, I will ·praise [thank] you with all my heart,
    and I will ·honor [glorify] your name forever.
13 You have great ·love [loyalty] for me.
    You have ·saved [T delivered] me from ·death [L Sheol down below; C the grave or the underworld].

14 God, ·proud [arrogant] people ·are attacking [rise up against] me;
    a ·gang [assembly] of ·cruel [violent] people ·is trying to kill me [seek my life].
    They do not ·respect you [L set you before them].
15 But, Lord, you are a God who shows ·mercy [compassion] and is ·kind [merciful; compassionate].
    You ·don’t become angry quickly [are patient/longsuffering].
    You have great ·love [loyalty] and ·faithfulness [truth; Ex. 34:6–7].
16 Turn to me and ·have mercy [be gracious].
    Give me, your servant, strength.
    ·Save [Give victory to] me, the son of your female servant.
17 ·Show [L Give] me a sign of your goodness.
    When my enemies look, they will be ashamed.
You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

Hear me, Lord, and answer(A) me,
    for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.(B)
You are my God; have mercy(C) on me, Lord,
    for I call(D) to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust(E) in you.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love(F) to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry(G) for mercy.
When I am in distress,(H) I call(I) to you,
    because you answer(J) me.

Among the gods(K) there is none like you,(L) Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made
    will come(M) and worship(N) before you, Lord;
    they will bring glory(O) to your name.
10 For you are great(P) and do marvelous deeds;(Q)
    you alone(R) are God.

11 Teach me your way,(S) Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;(T)
give me an undivided(U) heart,
    that I may fear(V) your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;(W)
    I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me(X) from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.(Y)

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for you.(Z)
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious(AA) God,
    slow to anger,(AB) abounding(AC) in love and faithfulness.(AD)
16 Turn to me(AE) and have mercy(AF) on me;
    show your strength(AG) in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.(AH)
17 Give me a sign(AI) of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.