Definition: A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I [am] poor and needy.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 86:1 – it’s a really powerful and important part of the Bible! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, David is admitting to feeling incredibly helpless and desperate. “A Prayer of David”: This tells us this isn’t just any prayer; it’s a heartfelt plea. “Bow down thine ear…” : This means David is asking for a change in his perspective – a shift in how he hears God. He’s essentially saying, “I need you to listen to me.” “…O LORD, hear me:” This is the core of the verse. David is making a direct request to God. What does this mean practically? David was feeling incredibly lost and unhappy with his situation. He felt like he didn’t have any power or help from God. He realized he was in a difficult place, and he needed a connection with the divine. So, he's asking for a change – to be heard by God and to feel a sense of relief and hope. The big takeaway: It’s a moment of profound humility and dependence on God. David isn’t demanding something; he’s acknowledging his need for help. In essence, it’s a plea for forgiveness, comfort, and a reconnection with the divine. --- Do you want to know more about what this verse means in context? For example: Would you like me to explain its significance within the larger story of David’s life? Are there any specific aspects you're curious about (like the feeling of humility it expresses)?

Definition: For thou [art] great, and doest wondrous things: thou [art] God alone.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 86:10. It’s a really powerful and humbling verse from the Bible! Here's what it means in simple terms: Essentially, this verse is saying: “Wow, you’re incredibly amazing and powerful – you do things that are beyond anything we can imagine. You’re truly God alone.” Let’s unpack that a little further: "For thou [art] great..." : This means "You are magnificent," "You are awesome," or “You are extraordinary.” It's a statement of awe and recognition of something wonderful about the person or entity being addressed. "...and doest wondrous things:" : This highlights that they’re not just doing ordinary things; they’re performing truly remarkable feats. Think of it like a superhero – they’re doing things that are beyond typical human capability. "Thou [art] God alone." : This is the core of the verse. It's a huge statement of humility and recognition. It means that you , specifically, are not equal to God. You are not capable of performing the same feats or possessing the same power as God. What’s the point of this verse? It’s a moment of deep repentance and acknowledgment of our limitations. It’s a reminder that we are all created in God's image, but we don’t have the same ability to do great things. It encourages us to recognize God’s supremacy and seek Him as the ultimate source of greatness. In short, it’s a statement of profound respect and recognition of God’s absolute power. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this verse in the Bible? Talk about its significance in relation to human limitations?

Definition: Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down Psalm 86:11 – it’s a really beautiful and powerful verse! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about wanting to connect with God on a deeper level and recognizing that He’s good and right. It’s essentially saying, “Help me understand how to live a life that pleases you.” Let's break it down word by word: “Teach me thy way” : This means "help me understand your ways" or "show me the path you want me to follow." We're asking for guidance. “O LORD” : This is a respectful address – it’s acknowledging that we are talking to God, and that we recognize His greatness and power. “I will walk in thy truth” : This means "I will live according to your truth." It's about aligning our lives with what God wants for us. “Unite my heart to fear thy name” : This is the core of the verse. "Fear" here doesn’t mean terror, but rather a deep reverence and respect – a feeling of awe and humility before Him. “Unite my heart” means "let my entire being be focused on you.” Putting it all together: The verse essentially says, "I humbly ask for your help to understand how to live in a way that reflects your goodness and love. I want to walk in your truth and show reverence for you by recognizing Your greatness." What does this mean practically? It's about wanting to be: Righteous: Living ethically and morally. Devoted: Fully committed to God and His will. Respectful: Showing gratitude and humility before Him. In essence, it’s a plea for guidance and a recognition of our dependence on God. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail or perhaps connect it to a specific theme in the Bible? For example, are you interested in: The context of this verse within Psalm? How it relates to themes like obedience and worship?

Definition: I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 86:12 – it’s a really beautiful and important verse! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, this verse says: “I want to praise you, God, with all my heart. And I want to glorify your name forever.” Let’s break that down further: “I will praise thee…” : This is a direct and heartfelt expression of gratitude. It means "I am thankful" – really grateful for God's presence and everything He has done. “…O Lord my God” : This refers to God as the ultimate source of all things, our creator and savior. It’s a respectful address, showing reverence. “with all my heart” : This is key! It means completely and genuinely. It's not just a feeling; it's a deep, true emotion of appreciation. Think of it like pouring your whole being into the praise. “and I will glorify thy name…” : This is the core of the verse. "Glorify" means to make something shine or be celebrated. Here, God is asking us to show His name – to reflect His glory and power in our lives and actions. It’s about recognizing and celebrating who He truly is . “for evermore” : This emphasizes the lasting nature of this praise. It's not just a fleeting moment; it’s a promise that we will keep praising God forever. In short, the verse is a declaration of deep gratitude and reverence for God, expressing a desire to constantly remember and celebrate His greatness. Why is this important? This verse is often seen as a turning point in God's history. It shows that after feeling overwhelmed by his power, God chooses to humbly praise Him – a fundamental part of our relationship with the divine. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Psalm 86? Discuss its significance within a particular context (like worship)?

Definition: For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 86:13 – it’s a really powerful and moving verse. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Core Idea: This verse is about deep gratitude and relief. It’s saying, “Wow, you’re incredibly kind to me. You saved my soul from the worst possible place.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For great is thy mercy toward me” : This means you are extraordinarily generous and compassionate. It's not just a small kindness; it’s a massive, overwhelming act of giving. “And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” : This is the key part. "Soul" refers to your spirit, your life, or your essence. “Lowest hell” is a really intense and frightening place – basically, the deepest despair and pain you could imagine. You’re saying you were lost in a terrible situation, feeling utterly hopeless, and you pulled someone (or something) out of that darkness. Overall Meaning: The verse expresses profound relief and recognition of God's love. It’s a statement of immense gratitude for God’s mercy and protection. It’s a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, God is always there to rescue us from the worst of it. In short, it’s saying: "I’m so grateful for your kindness; you saved me from the most terrible pain." --- Do you want to explore any aspect of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like to know: What kind of “lowest hell” is being referred to? How does this verse relate to a specific situation or story in the Bible?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Psalm 86:14. It’s a really powerful and somewhat sad statement about feeling vulnerable and threatened. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying, "God, I feel like I'm being targeted by people who are angry and want to hurt me. They're trying to find out where I am and what I’m doing." Let’s unpack it word-by-word: “O God…” : This isn’t a complaint to God; it’s a recognition of the problem. It's like saying, "I'm acknowledging that something bad is happening." “…the proud are risen against me…” : "Proud" means feeling superior or arrogant. “Risen” means to rise up – to challenge or threaten someone. So, this suggests someone feels better about themselves than they actually are. They're deliberately trying to upset you. “and the assemblies of violent [men] have sought after my soul…” : "Assemblies" refers to groups of people. “Violent men” means people who are angry and potentially dangerous. “Sought after my soul” is a really important part – it means they’re actively trying to find out what you're doing and what you value. They're looking for something that makes you uncomfortable or unhappy. “…have not set thee before them.” : This is the key part. “Set thee before them” means "to show me" or "to reveal to me." This suggests they’ve deliberately hidden you, made you aware of yourself, and are trying to expose your actions to others. Overall Meaning & Context: Psalm 86:14 is a lament – it's a deep sadness. The psalmist feels deeply vulnerable because someone else (or perhaps themselves) is actively seeking out what makes them unhappy or uncomfortable. It’s a moment of acknowledging a threat and feeling helpless. It points to a time of difficulty and potentially, a feeling of being targeted. In simpler terms: "I feel like I'm in danger. People are trying to find out where I am and what I'm doing, and they're making me uncomfortable." --- Do you want me to: Explain the meaning in more detail? Talk about the context of this verse within the larger story of Psalm 86? Connect it to a specific situation you might be facing?

Definition: But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 86:15. It’s a really beautiful and important verse from the Bible! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is saying: “You are so kind and generous to us. You have a lot of love and understanding.” Let’s unpack it a little further: “But thou” : This is a way of addressing God directly – like speaking to him as a friend. “O Lord” : This shows that we're talking about him . “[art] are” : This means "you are" - it’s a statement of fact. “full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” : This is the really important part! It describes his qualities: Compassion: He feels sadness for us when we're suffering. Gracious: He’s forgiving and kind. Longingsuffering: He has a strong desire to help us. Plenteous in mercy and truth: This means he has an abundant supply of love, forgiveness, understanding, and truthful guidance. He gives more than enough! So, the whole verse is saying that God loves us deeply and is willing to give us everything we need. It’s a powerful expression of his affection for humanity. In short, it's a declaration of God’s love and willingness to help us. --- Would you like me to: Explain why this verse is significant? Give you some examples of how God shows compassion? Discuss the context of the psalm where this verse appears?

Definition: O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 86:16. It's a really powerful and emotional verse, and it speaks about a deep yearning for forgiveness and help. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is asking God to look at us and help us. It’s expressing a profound feeling of desperation and needing something from him. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “O turn unto me…” : This isn't a command. It's a plea, like saying "Please look at me." It’s indicating that the person feels unworthy or neglected by God. “…and have mercy upon me…” : This is the heart of the verse. “Have mercy” means to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. The person is begging for God to show them mercy. “give thy strength unto thy servant…” : This is a metaphor – it's not literally about a person giving their strength. It’s about being helped . “Thy servant” refers to the individual who feels weak, lost, or burdened. “…and save the son of thine handmaid.” : This is the most difficult part to understand directly. "Son of thine handmaid" is a very poetic and symbolic phrase. It’s not meant literally. It's an expression of deep pain and suffering. It suggests that the person feels like they are being treated unfairly, perhaps exploited, neglected, or abandoned by someone in their life – someone who holds them accountable. Overall Meaning: The verse expresses a feeling of deep shame, weakness, and desperation. It’s a plea for God to forgive them, offer help, and restore them to a place of peace and safety. It's a moment of profound vulnerability and reliance on God. What does it tell us about the writer? Psalm 86:16 is a classic expression of repentance and sorrow. It’s a testament to a broken relationship with God, and a recognition that the person feels unworthy of his grace. It's a moment where someone acknowledges their own failings and desperately desires a change in direction. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this verse to a larger context (like the story of David)? Discuss what it might mean for someone struggling with feelings of shame or inadequacy?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down Psalm 86:17. It’s a really beautiful and heartfelt verse from the Bible! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse expresses deep gratitude and relief when God shows compassion to you. It’s saying, "I’m so thankful for your help and comfort, even though I feel like I’m being rejected by others." Let’s unpack it word-by-word: “Shew me a token for good” : This is a request – God wants to show you something positive. It's not about a grand gift; it's about a small, meaningful sign. “…that they which hate me may see [it]…” : This is the core of the verse. It means that when God shows you this token, those who are angry and hateful towards you will see it. The word “see” is crucial here – it's not just a visual; it’s about understanding that your actions or behavior have been noticed. "...and be ashamed:” : This highlights the consequence of their negativity. They feel shame, embarrassment, or regret because they see your goodness. “because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.” : This is the crucial part – it's a heartfelt expression of gratitude. It says "Because you have helped me and comforted me, I am thankful." Overall Meaning: The verse essentially says: “I’m incredibly grateful for your help and comfort. Even though people are angry at me, seeing this token will show them that you care about me and that my goodness is real.” It’s a powerful statement of faith – recognizing God's love and grace even when things are difficult. In short: It’s a testament to your blessings and a reminder of God’s unwavering care for you. --- Does this explanation make sense? Would you like me to: Explain another part of the verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific situation or theme in the Bible?