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Psalm 86:16
Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant.
14God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, and they don’t hold regard for you before them.
15But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
16Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant.
17Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, LORD, have helped me, and comforted me.
Notice
A servant threatened by violent men asks God for mercy and strength, showing how belonging to God can coexist with a desperate need for help.
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.The psalm asks God to give strength; Paul speaks of the strength he receives through Christ.
Psalm 116:16LORD, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You have freed me from my chains.Both speakers identify themselves as God's servant and as the son of a servant, expressing belonging across generations.
Ephesians 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.The strength requested in the psalm and commanded in Ephesians comes from the Lord.
Isaiah 40:29–31He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.The psalm asks for strength as a gift from God; Isaiah describes God giving power to the weak.
Numbers 6:25The LORD make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.Both prayers seek God's gracious attention, expressed through his turning toward someone or making his face shine.
Psalm 25:16Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted.Both prayers use the words “Turn to me, and have mercy on me” as a direct appeal amid distress.
Ephesians 3:16that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,Both prayers ask God to grant strength; Ephesians specifies strengthening through his Spirit in the inner person.
Colossians 1:11strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy,Both passages locate needed strength in God; Colossians names endurance and perseverance with joy as its purpose.
Psalm 138:3In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.Psalm 86 asks God for strength; Psalm 138 recounts an answered prayer that brought strength to the speaker's soul.
2 Timothy 1:5having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, in you also.Psalm 86 names a parent as God's servant; Paul names Timothy's mother and grandmother as people of sincere faith.
Psalm 28:7–8The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.Psalm 86 seeks strength and rescue from God; Psalm 28 names the Lord as strength and shield.
Zechariah 10:12I will strengthen them in the LORD. They will walk up and down in his name,” says the LORD.The psalm's request for strength shares Zechariah's promise that God will strengthen his people in the Lord.
Where this verse fits
Fear for the future. serving and tired. wanting a steady prayer habit.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Serving God does not mean having strength enough for every threat. His servant asks for strength and rescue because the Lord is merciful and gracious.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 86:16. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).