Psalm 86 2

Psalm 86:2 kjv

Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

Psalm 86:2 nkjv

Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You!

Psalm 86:2 niv

Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;

Psalm 86:2 esv

Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you ? you are my God.

Psalm 86:2 nlt

Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.

Psalm 86 verses

Psalm 86 2 Meaning

Psalm 86:2 is a deeply personal prayer by David, seeking divine protection and deliverance. It appeals to God based on David's spiritual condition—his devout faithfulness and his unwavering trust in the Lord as His God and servant. He petitions God to guard his very life because he stands in a loyal, covenant relationship with the Almighty, humbly acknowledging his role as God's servant who fully relies on Him.

Psalm 86 2 Context

Psalm 86 is an individual prayer of lament and supplication attributed to David. It reflects a time of deep distress where David, feeling "poor and needy" (v. 1), pours out his heart to God. The Psalm is marked by intense reliance on God's unique attributes—His goodness, mercy, and power (e.g., v. 5, 10, 15). David appeals to God not based on his own merit in an absolute sense, but on the established, relational reality of being God's "servant," one who belongs to Him, has been set apart by Him, and trusts in Him. This verse grounds the plea for deliverance in that existing relationship and David's faithful devotion. The plea for "preservation" signifies a need for protection from physical dangers or enemies that threaten his life and well-being.

Psalm 86 2 Word analysis

• Preserve (שָׁמְרָה - shāmar): This Hebrew verb means to guard, keep, protect, watch over, or preserve. It implies careful custody and safeguarding from harm. It denotes an active, continuous act of protection, signifying God's constant vigilance over David.
• my soul (נַפְשִׁי - napshī): Nephesh (soul) in Hebrew refers to the whole person, the very essence of one's being, including life, spirit, vitality, and personality. It's not just the spiritual component, but the entire existence—body and inner self. David is praying for the preservation of his complete being, his very life, implying he is in mortal danger or profound distress.
• for (כִּי - kī): This conjunction indicates the reason or ground for the preceding plea. It introduces the basis of David's confidence in seeking God's intervention.
• I am holy (חָסִיד אָנִי - ḥāsīd ʾanī): Ḥāsīd is a crucial term derived from ḥesed, God's covenant steadfast love, mercy, and loyalty. A ḥāsīd is one who is loyal, devout, godly, pious, or one who demonstrates ḥesed. David's claim here is not of sinless perfection (which is contradicted elsewhere in the Psalms regarding human sinfulness, e.g., Psa 14:1-3, Psa 51:5), but rather of his devoted allegiance, faithful adherence to God's covenant, and a genuine pursuit of righteousness as enabled by God's grace. He sees himself as one set apart by God (Psa 4:3), living in response to God's own ḥesed. It means he is genuinely committed to God and His ways, distinct from those who abandon God or live unrighteously. This term indirectly forms a polemic against the notion that salvation is attained by human merit outside of God's covenant relationship; rather, it's rooted in a reciprocal, trusting relationship.
• O You my God (אֱלֹהַי אַתָּה - ʾělōhay ʾattâ): A profoundly personal address. ʾĔlōhay ("my God") signifies an intimate, covenantal relationship and personal possession. It is an expression of deep reliance and belonging. The inclusion of ʾattâ ("You" – the pronoun for emphasis) underscores that David is specifically calling on the personal, living God whom he worships, highlighting God's unique authority and ability to respond.
• save (הוֹשַׁע - hôšî‘a): From the verb yāsha‘, meaning to save, deliver, help, or give victory. It's a plea for rescue from danger or enemies, comprehensive deliverance in times of distress. This verb is also the root of the name "Jesus" (Yeshua), meaning "the Lord saves."
• Your servant (עַבְדֶּךָ - ʿabdəkhā): ʿEved (servant, bond-servant) is a humble yet honorable title. It signifies David's submission, dependence, obedience, and belonging to God. Throughout the Old Testament, figures like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and many prophets bore this title. David is claiming a special, privileged relationship with God, characterized by loyalty and devotion, which entitles him to appeal for help.
• who trusts in You! (בּוֹטֵחַ בֶּךָ - bōṭeaḥ bəkā): Bāṭaḥ (trust, rely upon, feel secure, have confidence in). This emphasizes the continuous, active nature of David's faith. Trust in God is the hallmark of the righteous person. It demonstrates his complete dependence on God rather than on human strength, wisdom, or earthly resources. This also reinforces the meaning of ḥāsīd, as trust is a key expression of true godliness. Implicitly, this is a polemic against trusting in any other power or deity.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Preserve my soul, for I am holy": This juxtaposition reveals that David sees his claim of "holiness" (ḥāsīd) as a basis for God's protection. It's not a self-righteous demand, but a relational appeal: "Because I am Your faithful one, the one dedicated to You, please guard my very being." This demonstrates the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship—God preserves those who walk in covenant faithfulness.
• "O You my God, save Your servant": This grouping highlights the depth of David's personal connection to God and his identity. He identifies God as his God, claiming the rights and privileges inherent in being God's servant. This intimate relationship is the foundation upon which he requests deliverance, trusting that God will act for one who belongs to Him and serves Him.
• "who trusts in You!": This phrase is climactic and underscores the foundational characteristic that defines David's "holiness" and his status as "servant." His trust is the core of his reliance and the ultimate reason he appeals to God. It encapsulates his complete dependence and expectation of God's saving power. It signifies an active and abiding faith.

Psalm 86 2 Bonus section

The profound concept of ḥesed (steadfast love, covenant loyalty) is the bedrock for understanding ḥāsīd (one who demonstrates/receives ḥesed). David's claim to be ḥāsīd implies a heart turned toward God's ḥesed and reciprocating it with faithfulness. This means his righteousness is fundamentally relational and responsive to God's prior grace and covenant initiation, not a legalistic self-achievement. It is the faithfulness of the one called and beloved by God, implying a personal history with the Divine, akin to a shepherd tending his sheep (Psa 23) or a father guiding his children. The psalmists often contrast this deep reliance on God with reliance on human strength or idolatrous practices, thus implicitly making a strong theological statement against competing loyalties or false securities of their time.

Psalm 86 2 Commentary

Psalm 86:2 serves as a powerful testament to the nature of prayer, particularly from one deeply rooted in a covenant relationship with the living God. David, in distress, humbly yet confidently pleads for God's preservation of his life. His appeal hinges not on his own inherent perfection, but on his identified state as ḥāsīd—one devotedly loyal and pious in response to God's own steadfast love (ḥesed). This "holiness" is relational and ethical, marked by a commitment to God's ways rather than ritualistic exactness or outward display. As God's "servant," David embraces a posture of obedience, humility, and belonging, seeing this title not just as a descriptor but as a basis for claiming God's protective hand. Fundamentally, his entire plea rests upon his unwavering trust in God. This trust isn't a passive hope, but an active, continuous reliance on the Lord for deliverance, demonstrating that faith is the living conduit for God's preserving power. The verse provides a model for believers: approach God intimately, acknowledging your devoted commitment and humble servitude, and above all, rely completely on His character and power to save.