Psalm 86:11
New International Version
Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

New Living Translation
Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

English Standard Version
Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Berean Standard Bible
Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.

King James Bible
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

New King James Version
Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

New American Standard Bible
Teach me Your way, LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

NASB 1995
Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

NASB 1977
Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name.

Legacy Standard Bible
Teach me Your way, O Yahweh; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Amplified Bible
Teach me Your way, O LORD, I will walk and live in Your truth; Direct my heart to fear Your name [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder].

Christian Standard Bible
Teach me your way, LORD, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Teach me Your way, Yahweh, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.

American Standard Version
Teach me thy way, O Jehovah; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name.

Contemporary English Version
Teach me to follow you, and I will obey your truth. Always keep me faithful.

English Revised Version
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Teach me your way, O LORD, so that I may live in your truth. Focus my heart on fearing you.

Good News Translation
Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do, and I will obey you faithfully; teach me to serve you with complete devotion.

International Standard Version
Teach me your ways, LORD, that I may walk in your truth; let me wholeheartedly revere your name.

Majority Standard Bible
Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.

NET Bible
O LORD, teach me how you want me to live! Then I will obey your commands. Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!

New Heart English Bible
Teach me your way, LORD. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.

Webster's Bible Translation
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

World English Bible
Teach me your way, Yahweh. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Show me, O YHWH, Your way, "" I walk in Your truth, "" My heart rejoices to fear Your Name.

Young's Literal Translation
Show me, O Jehovah, Thy way, I walk in Thy truth, My heart doth rejoice to fear Thy name.

Smith's Literal Translation
Teach me, O Jehovah, thy way; I will go in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Conduct me, O Lord, in thy way, and I will walk in thy truth: let my heart rejoice that it may fear thy name.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Lead me, O Lord, in your way, and I will walk in your truth. May my heart rejoice, so that it will fear your name.

New American Bible
Teach me, LORD, your way that I may walk in your truth, single-hearted and revering your name.

New Revised Standard Version
Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Show me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in the truth; my heart will rejoice with them that worship thy name.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Show me your road, LORD JEHOVAH, and I shall walk in the truth; my heart shall rejoice with those who are in awe of your Name!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Teach me, O LORD, Thy way, that I may walk in Thy truth; Make one my heart to fear Thy name.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Guide me, O Lord, in thy way, and I will walk in thy truth: let my heart rejoice, that I may fear thy name.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Tried But Trusting
10For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God. 11Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. 12I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.…

Cross References
James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Psalm 25:4-5
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. / Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.

Isaiah 30:21
And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Colossians 1:9-10
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, / so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Ephesians 4:1-3
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: / with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, / and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, / filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

1 John 2:27
And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

Psalm 119:33-34
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep them to the end. / Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.

Jeremiah 32:39
I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13
We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. / And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.


Treasury of Scripture

Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth: unite my heart to fear your name.

teach

Psalm 5:8
Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

Psalm 25:4,12
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths…

Psalm 27:11
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

I will

Psalm 26:3
For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

Psalm 119:30
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

Malachi 2:6
The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

unite

Jeremiah 32:38,39
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: …

Hosea 10:2
Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

Hosea 14:8
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

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Clear Faith Fear Heart Rejoice Show Teach Truth Undivided Unite Walk Way
Psalm 86
1. David strengthens his prayer by the consciousness of his religion
5. By the goodness and power of God
11. He desires the continuance of former grace
14. Complaining of the proud, he craves some token of God's goodness














Teach me Your way, O LORD
This phrase reflects a deep desire for divine guidance and instruction. The psalmist acknowledges the need for God's direction, which is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 25:4-5). The use of "Your way" indicates a path of righteousness and holiness, aligning with God's character and commandments. In biblical context, "the way" often refers to a lifestyle or conduct that is pleasing to God, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:33. The invocation of "O LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes a personal relationship with God, highlighting His covenantal faithfulness and the psalmist's trust in Him.

that I may walk in Your truth.
Walking in truth implies living a life consistent with God's revealed will and character. Truth in the biblical sense is not just factual accuracy but encompasses faithfulness and reliability, as seen in John 17:17, where Jesus prays, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." The psalmist's request to walk in truth suggests a commitment to live according to God's standards, reflecting a life transformed by His teachings. This aligns with the New Testament call to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

Give me an undivided heart,
An undivided heart signifies complete devotion and loyalty to God, free from idolatry or competing allegiances. In the historical context of Israel, divided hearts often led to spiritual adultery, as seen in the worship of foreign gods (1 Kings 11:4). The psalmist's plea for an undivided heart echoes the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5, which commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. This request is a call for inner integrity and singular focus on God, which is essential for true worship and obedience.

that I may fear Your name.
Fearing God's name involves reverence, awe, and respect for His holiness and authority. In biblical culture, a name represents the essence and character of a person. Thus, fearing God's name means acknowledging His sovereignty and living in a way that honors Him. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," indicating that such fear is foundational to a righteous life. This fear is not terror but a profound respect that leads to obedience and worship, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Abraham and Moses.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 86, David is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his deep relationship with God, his role as the second king of Israel, and his authorship of many Psalms.

2. LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with His people.

3. Jerusalem
While not directly mentioned in this verse, Jerusalem is often the backdrop for David's life and prayers, symbolizing the center of worship and God's presence among His people.
Teaching Points
Seeking Divine Guidance
David's request for God to "teach me Your way" highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in our daily lives. As believers, we should continually ask God to reveal His path for us.

Walking in Truth
Walking in God's truth requires a commitment to live according to His Word. This involves studying Scripture, prayer, and obedience to God's commands.

The Importance of an Undivided Heart
An undivided heart is one that is wholly devoted to God, free from competing loyalties or distractions. This is essential for true worship and reverence for God's name.

The Fear of the Lord
Fearing God's name involves a deep respect and awe for His holiness and authority. It is the foundation of wisdom and leads to a life that honors God.(11) A reminiscence of older psalms. In addition to the marginal references, see Psalm 26:3.

Unite my heart--i.e., unite all my powers and concentrate them on Thy service. No doubt with recollection of Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 10:12. Comp. also Jeremiah 32:39, on which apparently the expression is directly based. An undivided will is in morals and religion equally essential.

Verses 11-17. - The third strophe is almost equally divided between prayer and praise, vers. 11, 16, and 17 being devoted to the one; and vers. 12, 13, and 15 to the other. Ver. 14 is of the nature of a complaint. Verse 11. - Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth (comp. Psalm 25:4; Psalm 27:11; Psalm 119:33). Man cannot know "the way of the Lord," unless he is taught of God. The inward anointing of the Spirit is needful to teach us what God would really have us do (1 John 2:27). It is only when we are thus taught that we can "walk in his truth." Unite my heart to fear thy Name. So Symmachus, who has ἕνωσον; Canon Cook, Dr. Kay, Hupfeld, Professor Alexander, and the Revised Version. Hengstenberg prefers "incline my heart;" and Professor Cheyne would alter the text into accordance with the LXX., Αὐφρανθήτω ἡ καρδία μου, "Make my heart to rejoice." But the textual reading has the weight of authority in its favour, and gives an excellent sense, "Bring all my heart into unison, that it may be wholly fixed on thee." Compare the following verse.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Teach me
ה֘וֹרֵ֤נִי (hō·w·rê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

Your way,
דַּרְכֶּ֗ךָ (dar·ke·ḵā)
Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

O LORD,
יְהוָ֨ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and I will walk
אֲהַלֵּ֥ךְ (’ă·hal·lêḵ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in Your truth.
בַּאֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ (ba·’ă·mit·te·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

Grant me undividedness
יַחֵ֥ד (ya·ḥêḏ)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3161: To be united

of heart
לְ֝בָבִ֗י (lə·ḇā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

so that I may fear
לְיִרְאָ֥ה (lə·yir·’āh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

Your name.
שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ (šə·me·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name


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OT Poetry: Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 86:10
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