Psalm 86: 5-17 of 17. Tune: Harts

Sing Psalms
Psalm 86: 5-17
"Hear my earnest prayer, O LORD"
Tune: Harts
meter: 7777 (the only other Sing Psalms version with 7777 is Psalm 137)
Crow Road Free Church
For more on the tune see:
https://hymnary.org/tune/harts_milgrove
For Nottingham see: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZDkTwL6MPIk
For Anima Christi see: https://youtube.com/shorts/bTGAFn9DBCw

image: Jeremiah buys a field in Anathoth from Hanamel (Jeremiah 32)
Now therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says concerning this city, about which you say, “It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:” “Behold, I will gather them out of all the countries where I have driven them in my anger, and in my wrath, and in great indignation; and I will bring them again to this place. I will cause them to dwell safely. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good. I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.”
(Jeremiah 32: 36-41)

Wikipedia's analysis includes some of the following. The first, verses 1–7, are 'a plea for help'; in relation to 'the psalmist's piety' (verses 1–4) and 'the character of God' (verses 5–7). The second, verses 8–13, form a hymn, 'interrupted by a call on God to teach the psalmist' (verse 11), and concluding with 'thankful confidence' for answered prayer, and 'a vow to offer praise'/'sacrifice a thank-offering' (verses 12–13) The final part, verses 14–17, are 'renewed prayer', ending with a request for a 'sign' or the 'salvation'.

The composition of the psalm features frequent parallels and repetitions, such as an eightfold 'for' (verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13), the repeated 'Lord' eleven times (verses 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, with seven of them being adonai (verses 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15), and the four others as "YHWH". The psalmist is named the 'servant' of YHWH (abdeka; "your servant") in verses 2, 4, 16, which may indicate literary patterns. A chiastic structure has been discovered, with verse 11 in the center:

1–4

5–6

7

8–10

11

12–13

14

15

16–17

Verses 5 and 15 refer to Exodus 34:6–7; verse 16 is a paraphrase of the middle part in the Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:25).

A Prayer of David.
PSALM 86 7 7 7 7

1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me;
I am poor, and needy too.
2 Guard my life; save me, my God,
For your servant trusts in you.

3 Lord, be merciful to me;
All day long to you I call.
4 Give your servant joy, O Lord,
For to you I lift my soul.

5 You, O Lord, alone are good;
You are ready to forgive.
To all those who call on you,
You abound in steadfast love.

6 Hear my earnest prayer, O LORD;
Listen to my troubled cry.
7 In distress I’ll call on you,
For in mercy you’ll reply.

8 Lord, among the many gods
There is none to rival you;
Deeds that others may perform
Never match what you can do.

9 Lord, the nations you have made
Will come near and praise your name.
10 You alone are God; your deeds
Bring to you outstanding fame.

11 Teach me, LORD, your way, that I
From your truth may not depart;
So that I may fear your name,
Give me a devoted heart.

12 Lord, with all my heart I will
Praise your name unceasingly.
13 For your love to me is great;
From the grave you rescued me.

14 Proud men are attacking me;
And the ruthless men of strife,
Who have no regard for God,
Seek to take away my life.

15 But, Lord, you are merciful,
God of grace and tenderness,
Slow to anger, rich in love
And in cov’nant faithfulness.

16 Turn your face towards me, Lord,
And to me compassion show.
Give me strength and save my life;
On your servant grace bestow.

17 Grant a sign of favour, LORD,
Which my enemies may see;
Then they will be put to shame,
For you help and comfort me.

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