Psalm 86 16

Psalm 86:16 kjv

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

Psalm 86:16 nkjv

Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.

Psalm 86:16 niv

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.

Psalm 86:16 esv

Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.

Psalm 86:16 nlt

Look down and have mercy on me.
Give your strength to your servant;
save me, the son of your servant.

Psalm 86 verses

Psalm 86 16 Meaning

Psalm 86:16 is a heartfelt plea by King David to God for divine intervention, mercy, empowerment, and salvation. It encapsulates a profound sense of dependence on the Most High, asking for God's personal attention and undeserved favor, His divine strength to sustain and enable, and ultimate deliverance from present troubles. The request is rooted in the psalmist's identity as God's dedicated "servant" and one born into His divine household, signifying deep commitment and an inherited covenantal relationship.

Psalm 86 16 Context

Psalm 86 is a deeply personal lament and supplication from David, often described as a prayer of the afflicted. Throughout the chapter, David pours out his heart to God, appealing for deliverance, guidance, and vindication against those who oppress him (verse 14). He expresses confidence in God's character as good, forgiving, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (verse 5). The psalmist acknowledges his utter dependence on God, pleading based on God's nature and his own devoted identity as a "servant" of the Lord (verses 2, 4). Verse 16 builds upon these previous pleas, intensifying the request for direct divine intervention – for God to turn, be gracious, empower, and save – specifically appealing to the unique bond of belonging implied by "Your servant" and "the son of Your maidservant."

Psalm 86 16 Word analysis

• Turn (פְּנֵה - p'neh): This verb implies a direction of focus or attention. To "turn" towards someone signifies listening, paying heed, and showing favor. It is a plea for God to specifically direct His benevolent gaze and attention towards the psalmist, indicating a moment where God might feel distant or unseen in His intervention. It's an intimate plea for presence and active engagement.
• to me (אֵלַי - elai): Emphasizes the personal nature of the plea, highlighting the psalmist's individual need for God's attention and not a general or corporate blessing.
• and be gracious (וְחָנֵּנִי - v'channeini): Derived from the Hebrew root ḥānan, meaning to show favor, pity, or compassion. It conveys the concept of grace – unmerited favor and mercy, particularly in a context of distress where the individual is undeserving yet desperate for divine intervention. It underscores the understanding that any help received comes from God's character, not human merit.
• Give Your strength (תְּנָה עֻזְּךָ - t'nah uzzeka): T'nah means "give," and ‘uzzeka comes from ‘oz, referring to might, power, and divine steadfastness. This is a prayer for divine empowerment. David, likely facing formidable opposition or personal weakness, recognizes his own insufficiency and appeals for God's enabling power to navigate his circumstances, affirming that true strength resides only in God.
• to Your servant (לְעַבְדֶּךָ - l'avdekha): The Hebrew word ‘eved (servant) signifies one bound in service, often with connotations of devotion and humility. It implies a covenantal relationship, an identity chosen by the psalmist or imposed by God's call, carrying obligations of loyalty and dependence. David grounds his plea in his dedicated service to God.
• And save (וְהוֹשִׁיעָה - v'hoshi'ah): From the root yāša‘, meaning to deliver, rescue, or bring salvation. This is a comprehensive request for deliverance, encompassing physical safety, vindication, and well-being from his enemies and distress. It’s a call for God to actively intervene and ensure his well-being.
• the son of Your maidservant (לְבֶן אֲמָתֶךָ - l'ven amateka): This powerful phrase speaks to the deepest level of humble dependence and permanent belonging. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a "son of a maidservant" indicated someone born into a household and therefore permanently a part of it, subject to the master but also under the master's protection and provision. It expresses an inherited legacy of faithful service and an unwavering, lifelong bond to God. It underscores an identity not chosen, but given – a profound state of being wholly owned and cared for by God. This suggests a heritage of devotion, making the appeal particularly compelling to God’s covenant faithfulness.

Psalm 86 16 Bonus section

The phrase "son of Your maidservant" in Psalm 86:16 (and 116:16) goes beyond simple family lineage. The maidservant, historically, was entirely owned by the master and passed that identity of servitude to her children. Therefore, "son of Your maidservant" represents the deepest level of unconditional dependence, submission, and absolute property of the Master. It is a profound declaration of identity, signaling a born-into relationship of unreserved loyalty and submission to God, expecting in return total care and protection. It also subtly carries a sense of humility and a historical tie, possibly alluding to God's chosen lineage being preserved and cared for across generations despite their status.

Psalm 86 16 Commentary

Psalm 86:16 serves as a profound encapsulation of a believer's dependence on God in times of dire need. It moves from an urgent plea for God's attentive and merciful gaze ("Turn to me and be gracious") to a request for empowering strength necessary for enduring the struggles of life ("Give Your strength to Your servant"), culminating in an ultimate desire for comprehensive deliverance ("And save"). The psalmist's identity as "Your servant" underscores a lifelong commitment and relational basis for the petition, while "the son of Your maidservant" emphasizes a heritage of faith, complete humility, and inherent belonging within God's divine household. This verse is not just a request for help but an affirmation of God's character as the ultimate source of all grace, power, and salvation, grounding the appeal in both a personal relationship and a divinely inherited status. It encourages believers to cast themselves entirely upon God, trusting in His unyielding compassion and sovereign might.