Give Me an Undivided Heart

Psalm 86:1-17

Psalm 86, headed “A prayer of David,” is David’s plea to God in a day of distress, asking for mercy, guidance and strength while ruthless men seek his life.

Lord, incline Your ear and answer me, for I am poor and needy. To You I lift up my soul. You are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You. In the day of my distress I call on You, because You answer me. Teach me Your way, that I may walk in Your truth, and give me an undivided heart. Turn to me, give me Your strength, and comfort me. Amen.

The Scripture

“A prayer of David. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long. Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy. In the day of my distress I call on You, because You answer me. O Lord, there is none like You among the gods, nor any works like Yours. All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name. For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever. For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol. The arrogant rise against me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life; they have no regard for You. But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant. Show me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see and be ashamed; for You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.”

— Psalm 86:1-17

Prayer points from Psalm 86:1-17

Ask God to incline His ear to you, and tell Him honestly what you need (v. 1).

Thank Him that He is kind and forgiving to all who call on Him (v. 5).

Ask Him to teach you His way so you can walk in His truth (v. 11).

Pray for an undivided heart, set on Him alone (v. 11).

Ask for His mercy and strength for today (v. 16).

Thank Him for the ways He has already helped and comforted you (v. 17).

About this verse

Psalm 86 is the only psalm with David’s name in the third book of Psalms (Psalms 73–89). It is almost all requests: incline Your ear, preserve my soul, be merciful, bring joy, teach me, turn to me. Between the requests David keeps reminding himself who God is: kind and forgiving, “there is none like You,” and, in verse 15, “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,” words that echo what God proclaimed to Moses at Sinai (Exodus 34:6). At the center David asks not only for rescue but for a changed heart: “Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.” Arrogant men are seeking his life, yet he ends by thanking the LORD, who has “helped me and comforted me.” This prayer is for anyone who feels poor and needy before God and needs both comfort and direction.

Give Me an Undivided Heart

The Scripture

Prayer points from Psalm 86:1-17

About this verse

When to pray this prayer

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