Psalms 86:1
BeginnerPsalms 86:1 · World English Bible (WEB)
“A Prayer by David. Hear, Yahweh, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.”
Tip: highlight any word or phrase above to go deeper on exactly that.
Overview
David cries to Yahweh for merciful attention from a place of helpless need.
This verse is not a polished religious opening; it is a desperate appeal. David asks the LORD to bend toward him and answer because he has no strength or sufficiency in himself.
What Makes This Verse Confusing?
The Hebrew wording is more vivid than simply “hear.” It carries the idea of Yahweh inclining or stretching His ear toward David. David is asking the Most High to stoop down in attentive mercy.
The English wording “Hear” does not show that the Hebrew includes the image of God bending His ear toward the petitioner.
This turns the prayer from a bare request for God to notice into a tender plea for God to draw near. David is not informing God of a need; he is asking for covenant mercy and personal attention.
Original Language
to stretch — 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incli…
This verb gives the prayer its posture: David asks Yahweh to “bend down” His ear. The King of heaven is being appealed to as One who graciously stoops to hear His servant.
afflicted — 1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched 1d) humble, lowly
This word points to affliction and lowliness, not only poverty. David presents himself as pressed down and dependent, which gives the verse its humble urgency.
needy — 1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person 2) subject to oppression and abuse 3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God 4) general reference to lowest class
This word emphasizes neediness and lack. Together with “afflicted,” it shows David’s condition from both sides: he is burdened by distress and lacking the power to deliver himself.
Lexicon & word tagging: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0)
Related Passages
Psalms 31:2
parallelPsalm 31:2 also asks God to incline His ear and deliver.
Psalms 40:17
parallelPsalm 40:17 uses the same heart-language: “I am poor and needy,” yet the Lord thinks upon the psalmist.
Daniel 9:18
parallelDaniel prays, “incline thine ear, O my God, and hear,” appealing not to Israel’s righteousness but to God’s great mercies.
Matthew 5:3
backgroundJesus blesses the “poor in spirit,” those who know their emptiness before God.
Psalms 34:6
BackgroundJames 2:5
BackgroundJames 1:9-10
BackgroundLuke 4:18
BackgroundCross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · openbible.info (CC-BY)
How This Applies Today
Psalm 86:1 teaches believers to come to God without pretending to be strong. Neediness is not a barrier to prayer; it is often the very doorway through which prayer becomes honest.
- →Pray plainly before God about the area where you are “poor and needy,” without dressing it up or minimizing it.
- Where am I still trying to appear sufficient instead of asking the Lord to bend His ear and answer me?
Analysis generated on October 9, 2026 · version 2.0
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