Psalm 86:2
New International Version
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;

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

English Standard Version
Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.

Berean Standard Bible
Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
Protect my soul, for I am godly; You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.

NASB 1995
Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.

NASB 1977
Do preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O Thou my God, save Thy servant who trusts in Thee.

Legacy Standard Bible
Keep my soul, for I am a holy one; O You my God, save Your slave who trusts in You.

Amplified Bible
Protect my life (soul), for I am godly and faithful; O You my God, save Your servant, who trusts in You [believing in You and relying on You, confidently committing everything to You].

Christian Standard Bible
Protect my life, for I am faithful. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Protect my life, for I am faithful. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You.

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

Contemporary English Version
Protect me and save me because you are my God. I am your faithful servant, and I trust you.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Protect me, because I am faithful [to you]. Save your servant who trusts you. You are my God.

Good News Translation
Save me from death, because I am loyal to you; save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.

International Standard Version
Protect me, for I am faithful; My God, deliver your servant who trusts in you.

Majority Standard Bible
Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You.

NET Bible
Protect me, for I am loyal! O my God, deliver your servant, who trusts in you!

New Heart English Bible
Preserve my soul, for I am faithful. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.

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

World English Bible
Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Keep my soul, for I [am] pious, "" Save Your servant who is trusting to You, O You, my God.

Young's Literal Translation
Keep my soul, for I am pious, Save Thy servant -- who is trusting to Thee, O Thou, my God.

Smith's Literal Translation
Watch my soul, for I am godly: save thy servant, thou my God, trusting in thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Preserve my soul, for I am holy: save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Preserve my soul, for I am holy. My God, bring salvation to your servant who hopes in you.

New American Bible
Preserve my life, for I am devoted; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;

New Revised Standard Version
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Preserve my soul, for thou art holy; O thou God, save thy servant who trusts in thee.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Keep my soul because you are good; deliver your Servant who hopes in you, oh God!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Keep my soul, for I am godly; O Thou my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Preserve my soul, for I am holy; save thy servant, O God, who hopes in thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Tried But Trusting
1A prayer of David. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You. 3Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long.…

Cross References
Psalm 25:20
Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.

Psalm 31:23
Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant.

Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

Psalm 97:10
Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 145:20
The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.

Proverbs 2:8
to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints.

Isaiah 49:7
Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

2 Samuel 22:26
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;

Nehemiah 1:11
O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

John 17:15
I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.


Treasury of Scripture

Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O you my God, save your servant that trusts in you.

preserve

Psalm 4:3
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 119:94
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

holy.

Psalm 18:19
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Deuteronomy 7:7,8
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: …

Romans 9:18,23,24
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth…

save

Psalm 119:124,125
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes…

Psalm 143:12
And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

trusteth

Psalm 13:5
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalm 16:1
Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

Psalm 31:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

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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














Preserve my soul
The phrase "Preserve my soul" in Psalm 86:2 is a heartfelt plea from David, the psalmist, for divine protection and sustenance. The Hebrew word for "preserve" is "shamar," which means to guard, keep, or watch over. This word conveys a sense of vigilant care and protection, akin to a shepherd watching over his flock. In the context of ancient Israel, where threats from enemies and the harshness of the wilderness were constant, this plea underscores a deep reliance on God's providence. The "soul" here, translated from the Hebrew "nephesh," refers to the entire being of a person, encompassing life, breath, and vitality. David's request is not just for physical safety but for the preservation of his entire existence, reflecting a trust in God as the sustainer of life.

for I am godly
The phrase "for I am godly" might initially seem presumptuous, but it is a declaration of David's covenant relationship with God. The Hebrew word "chasid" is translated as "godly," which can also mean faithful or devoted. It reflects a life committed to God, characterized by loyalty and love. In the historical context of the Old Testament, being "godly" was not about self-righteousness but about being in right standing with God through faith and obedience. David's assertion is a reminder of his identity as one who seeks to live according to God's will, and it is this relationship that forms the basis of his appeal for divine protection.

You are my God
This phrase, "You are my God," is a profound declaration of personal faith and allegiance. The Hebrew word for God here is "Elohim," a term that denotes power and majesty. By declaring "You are my God," David is affirming his exclusive devotion to the one true God amidst a polytheistic culture. This statement is both a confession of faith and a recognition of God's sovereignty and authority over his life. It reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where God is not just a distant deity but a personal Lord who is intimately involved in the lives of His followers.

Save Your servant
The plea "Save Your servant" is a humble request for deliverance. The Hebrew word for "save" is "yasha," which means to deliver or rescue. This word is often used in the context of salvation from physical danger or spiritual peril. David identifies himself as "Your servant," highlighting his position of humility and submission before God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a servant was someone who was wholly devoted to their master, and this relationship was marked by loyalty and service. David's use of this term underscores his dependence on God and his commitment to serve Him faithfully.

who trusts in You
The phrase "who trusts in You" emphasizes the foundation of David's relationship with God—trust. The Hebrew word "batach" means to rely on or have confidence in. Trust in God is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms and is central to the life of faith. In a world filled with uncertainty and danger, David's trust in God is a testament to his unwavering faith. This trust is not blind but is based on the knowledge of God's character and past faithfulness. It is a reminder to believers that true security and peace are found in trusting God, who is faithful and unchanging.

(2) For I am holy.--Rather, in order to reproduce the feeling, for I am one of the chosen ones; one of Thy saints, &c. He pleads the covenant relation as a claim to the blessing. (See, on chasid, Note, Psalm 1:5.)

Verse 2. - Preserve my soul. It is one of the special offices of God to "preserve the souls of his saints" (Psalm 97:10). He is not only man's Creator, but his "Preserver" (Job 7:20; Job 10:12). For I am holy. The psalmist does not mean to claim for himself perfect holiness, but only that sincerity in religion which God's servants may rightly vindicate to themselves. O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee (comp, Psalm 34:22; Psalm 37:40).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Preserve
שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה (šā·mə·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

my soul,
נַפְשִׁי֮ (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I [am]
אָ֥נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

godly.
חָסִ֪יד (ḥā·sîḏ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2623: Kind, pious

You
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are my God;
אֱלֹהַ֑י (’ĕ·lō·hay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

save
הוֹשַׁ֣ע (hō·wō·ša‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

Your servant
עַ֭בְדְּךָ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

who trusts
הַבּוֹטֵ֥חַ (hab·bō·w·ṭê·aḥ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 982: To trust, be confident, sure

in You.
אֵלֶֽיךָ׃ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT Poetry: Psalm 86:2 Preserve my soul for I am godly (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 86:1
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