Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. New Living Translation Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant. English Standard Version Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Berean Standard Bible Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant. King James Bible O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. New King James Version Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant. New American Standard Bible Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Grant Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant. NASB 1995 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your handmaid. NASB 1977 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Thy strength to Thy servant, And save the son of Thy handmaid. Legacy Standard Bible Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your slave, And save the son of Your maidservant. Amplified Bible Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Grant Your strength [Your might and the power to resist temptation] to Your servant, And save the son of Your handmaid. Christian Standard Bible Turn to me and be gracious to me. Give your strength to your servant; save the son of your female servant. Holman Christian Standard Bible Turn to me and be gracious to me. Give Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your female servant. American Standard Version Oh turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; Give thy strength unto thy servant, And save the son of thy handmaid. Contemporary English Version I serve you, LORD, and I am the child of one of your servants. Look on me with kindness. Make me strong and save me. English Revised Version O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. GOD'S WORD® Translation Turn toward me, and have pity on me. Give me your strength because I am your servant. Save me because I am the son of your female servant. Good News Translation Turn to me and have mercy on me; strengthen me and save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. International Standard Version Return to me and have mercy on me; clothe your servant with your strength and deliver the son of your maid servant. NET Bible Turn toward me and have mercy on me! Give your servant your strength! Deliver your slave! New Heart English Bible Turn to me, and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your handmaid. Webster's Bible Translation O turn to me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTurn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant. World English Bible Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionLook to me, and favor me, "" Give Your strength to Your servant, "" And give salvation to a son of Your handmaid. Young's Literal Translation Look unto me, and favour me, Give Thy strength to Thy servant, And give salvation to a son of Thine handmaid. Smith's Literal Translation Turn to me and pity me; thou wilt give thy strength to thy servant, and save to the son of thy maid-servant. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleO look upon me, and have mercy on me: give thy command to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Turn to me, be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the son of your handmaid. New Revised Standard Version Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleO turn to me and have mercy upon me; give strength to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Return to me and show mercy to me; give power to your Servant and save the son of your maid Servant! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917O turn unto me, and be gracious unto me; Give Thy strength unto Thy servant, And save the son of Thy handmaid. Brenton Septuagint Translation Look thou upon me, and have mercy upon me: give thy strength to thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Tried But Trusting…15But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness. 16Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant. 17Show me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see and be ashamed; for You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.… Cross References Exodus 34:6 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, Numbers 6:25 may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; Isaiah 63:7 I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us—the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion. Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them. 2 Chronicles 30:9 For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.” Psalm 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. Psalm 145:8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion. Joel 2:13 So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. Jonah 4:2 So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. Lamentations 3:22 Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. 2 Samuel 22:26 To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless; Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Luke 1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Romans 9:15-16 For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” / So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Treasury of Scripture O turn to me, and have mercy on me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your handmaid. turn Psalm 25:16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. Psalm 69:16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. Psalm 90:13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. give Psalm 28:7,8 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him… Psalm 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Psalm 116:16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. Jump to Previous Favour Gracious Grant Handmaid Maidservant Mercy Pity Save Servant Strength Turn TurnedJump to Next Favour Gracious Grant Handmaid Maidservant Mercy Pity Save Servant Strength Turn TurnedPsalm 86 1. David strengthens his prayer by the consciousness of his religion5. By the goodness and power of God 11. He desires the continuance of former grace 14. Complaining of the proud, he craves some token of God's goodness Turn to me and have mercy; This phrase is a plea for God's attention and compassion. The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, often found himself in situations of distress and sought God's intervention. The request for God to "turn" suggests a desire for divine favor and presence, echoing the covenant relationship where God promises to be attentive to His people (Deuteronomy 4:31). Mercy is a central theme in the Psalms, reflecting God's character as compassionate and gracious (Exodus 34:6). This plea is consistent with the understanding of God as a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 86, David is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his deep relationship with God, his role as king of Israel, and his authorship of many psalms. 2. God The recipient of David's prayer, God is portrayed as merciful and powerful, capable of granting strength and salvation. 3. Servant Refers to David himself, who humbly positions himself as a servant of God, seeking divine intervention and strength. 4. Son of Your Maidservant This phrase emphasizes David's humility and his lineage of faith, possibly referring to his mother’s devotion to God. Teaching Points Dependence on God’s MercyRecognize our need for God's mercy in every aspect of life. Like David, we should approach God with humility, acknowledging our dependence on His grace. Seeking Divine Strength In times of weakness, seek God's strength. David's prayer is a model for us to ask God for the strength to face our challenges. Understanding Our Identity in Christ Embrace our identity as servants of God. Just as David identifies himself as a servant, we too are called to serve God faithfully. The Legacy of Faith Consider the impact of a godly heritage. David's reference to being the "son of Your maidservant" reminds us of the importance of passing down faith through generations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 86:16?2. How does Psalm 86:16 encourage reliance on God's mercy in difficult times? 3. What does "give Your strength to Your servant" reveal about God's provision? 4. How can Psalm 86:16 inspire us to serve God with humility today? 5. In what ways does Psalm 86:16 connect to Jesus' teachings on servanthood? 6. How can we apply "save the son of Your maidservant" in our prayers? 7. What does Psalm 86:16 reveal about God's nature and character? 8. How does Psalm 86:16 emphasize the relationship between God and His servants? 9. Why does David plead for God's mercy in Psalm 86:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 86? 11. What does 'My help comes from the Lord' mean? 12. How can Psalm 123's insistence on divine mercy be reconciled with other Old Testament texts where God enacts harsh judgment in similar circumstances? 13. Why does the repeated emphasis on God's wrath in Psalm 88:7 and 88:16 clash with portrayals of divine mercy elsewhere in the Bible? 14. Psalm 76:7: If 'none can stand' before God's anger, how do we explain the numerous successful invasions of Judah documented in biblical and extrabiblical records? What Does Psalm 86:16 Mean Turn to me and have mercy• David pleads, “Turn to me and have mercy” (Psalm 86:16), confident that the Lord personally notices His people (Psalm 34:15). • Mercy is God’s steadfast love in action, not merely a feeling (Lamentations 3:22-23). • This cry reflects a humble awareness of need; like the tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). • Because God is “gracious and compassionate” (Psalm 86:15), David expects a real, literal response. Grant Your strength to Your servant • David acknowledges that any victory or endurance comes from God alone: “The LORD is my strength and my shield” (Psalm 28:7). • Asking for strength affirms dependence rather than self-reliance, echoing Isaiah 40:29—“He gives strength to the weary.” • New-covenant believers echo this request: “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). • By calling himself “Your servant,” David embraces his position under God’s authority, as Moses was “the servant of the LORD” (Joshua 1:2). Save the son of Your maidservant • “Save” points to rescue from immediate trouble and, by extension, ultimate salvation (Psalm 18:2). • “Son of Your maidservant” stresses covenant heritage; David’s lineage is devoted to God, much like Hannah called Samuel “Your servant’s son” (1 Samuel 1:11). • This phrase also underscores intimacy—he is not a stranger but family (Psalm 116:16). • Deliverance is expected because God is faithful to generations of those who love Him (Exodus 20:6). summary Psalm 86:16 shows a threefold prayer: the psalmist seeks God’s attentive mercy, empowering strength, and rescuing salvation. Each request rests on God’s unwavering character and covenant commitment, inviting believers today to approach Him with the same humble confidence. (16) Servant . . . son of thine handmaid.--Comp. Psalm 116:16. The combined expressions imply a homeborn slave. (Comp. Genesis 14:14; Jeremiah 2:14)Verse 16. - Oh turn unto me, and have mercy upon me. God had for a time turned his face away from his servant; now he is entreated to turn it towards him, and, as a consequence, to "have mercy upon him" and deliver him. Give thy strength unto thy servant. Only in God's strength can we effectually contend against either our spiritual or our temporal foes. If, however, we ask him for strength, his strength will be "sufficient for us" (2 Corinthians 12:9). And save the son of thine handmaid. Either "the son of one who was specially religious," like the mother of Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5). or" the son of an Israelitish mother," therefore born and bred up in thy household.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Turnפְּנֵ֥ה (pə·nêh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look to me אֵלַ֗י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to and have mercy; וְחָ֫נֵּ֥נִי (wə·ḥān·nê·nî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore grant תְּנָֽה־ (tə·nāh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set Your strength עֻזְּךָ֥ (‘uz·zə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5797: Strength, might to Your servant; לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ (lə·‘aḇ·de·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant save וְ֝הוֹשִׁ֗יעָה (wə·hō·wō·šî·‘āh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor the son לְבֶן־ (lə·ḇen-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Your maidservant. אֲמָתֶֽךָ׃ (’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave Links Psalm 86:16 NIVPsalm 86:16 NLT Psalm 86:16 ESV Psalm 86:16 NASB Psalm 86:16 KJV Psalm 86:16 BibleApps.com Psalm 86:16 Biblia Paralela Psalm 86:16 Chinese Bible Psalm 86:16 French Bible Psalm 86:16 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 86:16 Turn to me and have mercy (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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