A Merciful and Loving God

Psalm 86

   

    Listen to me, Lord, and answer me,
      for I am helpless and weak.
 ² Save me from death, because I am loyal to you;
      save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.

 ³ You are my God, so be merciful to me;
      I pray to you all day long.
 ⁴ Make your servant glad, O Lord,
      because my prayers go up to you.
 ⁵ You are good to us and forgiving,
      full of constant love for all who pray to you.

 ⁶ Listen, Lord, to my prayer;
      hear my cries for help.
 ⁷ I call to you in times of trouble,
      because you answer my prayers.

 ⁸ There is no god like you, O Lord,
      not one has done what you have done.
 ⁹ All the nations that you have created
      will come and bow down to you;
      they will praise your greatness.
 ¹⁰ You are mighty and do wonderful things;
      you alone are God.

 ¹¹ Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do,
      and I will obey you faithfully;
      teach me to serve you with complete devotion.
 ¹² I will praise you with all my heart, O Lord my God;
      I will proclaim your greatness forever.
 ¹³ How great is your constant love for me!
      You have saved me from the grave itself.
 ¹⁴ Proud people are coming against me, O God;
      a cruel gang is trying to kill me—
      people who pay no attention to you.
 ¹⁵ But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God,
      always patient, always kind and faithful.
 ¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy on me;
      strengthen me and save me,
      because I serve you just as my mother did.
 ¹⁷ Show me proof of your goodness, Lord;
      those who hate me will be ashamed
      when they see that you have given me comfort and help.