Psalms 86:14-16

86:14 O God, arrogant men attack me; ¹ 

a gang ²  of ruthless men, who do not respect you, seek my life. ³ 

86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God.

You are patient ⁴  and demonstrate great loyal love and faithfulness. ⁵ 

86:16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me!

Give your servant your strength!

Deliver your slave! ⁶ 

[86:14]  ¹ tn Heb “rise up against me.”

[86:14]  ² tn Or “assembly.”

[86:14]  ³ tn Heb “seek my life and do not set you before them.” See Ps 54:3.

[86:15]  ⁴ tn Heb “slow to anger.”

[86:15]  ⁵ tn Heb “and great of loyal love and faithfulness.”

[86:16]  ⁷ tn Heb “the son of your female servant.” The phrase “son of a female servant” (see also Ps 116:16) is used of a son born to a secondary wife or concubine (Exod 23:12). In some cases the child’s father is the master of the house (see Gen 21:10, 13; Judg 9:18). The use of the expression here certainly does not imply that the Lord has such a secondary wife or concubine! It is used metaphorically and idiomatically to emphasize the psalmist’s humility before the Lord and his status as the Lord’s servant.