132 The Psalms
Psalm 86
Turn to listen, LORD; answer me,
because I am in trouble and needing help.
Keep me safe, because I belong to you;
rescue your servant who trusts in you- you are my God.
Be gracious to me, Lord, because I call out to you all day.
Make my whole being joyful, Lord, as I present my life to you,
because you, Lord, are good and forgiving
and full of covenant love to all who call on you.
Listen to my prayer, LORD;
pay attention to my plea for mercy.
In my time of distress I will call out to you,
because you will answer me.
There is no one like you, Lord, among the gods
and nothing compares to the things you do.
All the nations which you have created
will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will pay honour to your name,
because you are great and you do wonderful things;
you alone are God.
Teach me your way, LORD; I will live by your truth;
focus my heart to honour your name.
I give thanks to you, Lord my God, with all my heart
and I glorify your name for ever.
For your covenant love is great towards me
and you rescued my life from a deep grave.
O God, proud people have risen up against me;
a powerful group seeks my life. They do not have you in mind.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God;
slow to get angry and full of covenant love and truth.
Turn to me and be gracious, give your attention to your servant;
rescue one born in your family.
Show me some sign of your goodness,
then those who hate me will see and be ashamed,
because you are the LORD who helps me and who comforts me.