A devotion on Psalm 86
I have juxtaposed the King James Version (KJV in red) and The Passion Translation (TPT in blue). Note the economy of words in the KJV. I used it as a child and it has a fond place in my heart. I enjoy reading other versions but find my heart inevitably wandering back to it.
- Which version do you prefer? Why?
- How accurate is TPT’s rendition compared to the KJV?
- Point out unusual or wonderful (can be both) phrases that stand out to you.
- Find and share an image that represents a concept you read here.
- What have you learned or been reminded of about God in this passage?
- Note the soul/heart concepts we have been studying and their beautiful application here.
1 Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
1 Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer. I am in deep trouble. I’m broken and humbled, and I desperately need your help.
2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
2 Guard my life, for I’m your faithful friend, your loyal servant for life
I turn to you in faith, my God, my hero; come and rescue me!
3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
3 Lord God, hear my constant cry for help;
show me your favor and bring me to your fountain of grace!
4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
4 Restore joy to your loving servant once again, for all I am is yours, O God.
5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
5 Lord, you are so good to me, so kind in every way and ready to forgive,
for your grace-fountain keeps overflowing, drenching all your devoted lovers who pray to you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
6 God, won’t you pay attention to this urgent cry? Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
7 Whenever trouble strikes, I will keep crying out to you, for I know your help is on the way.
8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
8 God, there’s no one like you; there’s no other god as famous as you.
You outshine all others, and your miracles make it easy to know you.
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
9 Lord Almighty, you are the one who created all the nations. Look at them—they’re all on their way!
Yes, the day will come when they all will worship you and put your glory on display.
10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
10 You are the one and only God. What miracles! What wonders! What greatness belongs to you!
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
11 Teach me more about you, how you work and how you move,
so that I can walk onward in your truth until everything within me brings honor to your name.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
12 With all my heart and passion I will thank you, my God!
I will give glory to your name, always and forever!
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
13 You love me so much, and you have placed your greatness upon me.
You rescued me from the deepest place of darkness, and you have delivered me from a certain death.
14 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.
14 God, look at how these arrogant ones have defied me. Like a vicious band of violent men, they have tried to kill me.
They wouldn’t worry for a moment that they were sinning against you!
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
15 But Lord, your nurturing love is tender and gentle.
You are slow to get angry yet so swift to show your faithful love. You are full of abounding grace and truth.
16 O turn unto me and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant and save the son of thine handmaid.
16 Bring me to your grace-fountain so that your strength becomes mine. Be my hero and come rescue your servant once again!
17 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.
17 Send me a miraculous sign to show me how much you love me, so that those who hate me will see it and be ashamed.
Don’t they know that you, Lord, are my comforter, the one who comes to help me?
Good morning. My version I like is NIV. My go to other is KJV. TPT is to lengthy not sure of how accurate it is compared to KJV. This Psalm reminds how trusting, merciful,forgiving,he answers, always teaching, compassionate, gracious, loving, faithful, comforting and abounding love. I will praise him and glorify him with all my heart. You are my blessing and such a good teacher.
Love you, Leslie
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you Leslie, you are a delight to teach and learn with. NIV has been very easy to use over the years though it has sone flaws. TPT is a lose translation so not suitable for serious study but it makes for relatively easy reading.
Just stopped over in the middle of the rush of things wish you well and encourage you to push forward. All the best and Blessings to you. Will follow you and hope to find you along the way.