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Psalm 86:2

Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.

1A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
3Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
4Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
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← Psalm 86:1Psalm 86:3 →
Notice

“For I am godly” may sound bold, yet David speaks as a servant whose life depends on the God he asks to save him.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

How do you read “for I am godly” alongside David’s plea for mercy?

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What would you be asking God to preserve as you prayed David’s words today?

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What does calling yourself God’s servant express about your trust in him?

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Connect

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
Psalm 119:94I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.Both prayers ask God to save someone who belongs to him, expressing that bond through service or attention to his precepts.
Psalm 4:3But know that the LORD has set apart for himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to him.Both passages name the godly person in relation to God, linking that bond with prayer for his attention or protection.
Psalm 25:2My God, I have trusted in you. Don’t let me be shamed. Don’t let my enemies triumph over me.Both prayers address God as “my God” and express trust while asking him for help.
Psalm 25:20Oh keep my soul, and deliver me. Let me not be disappointed, for I take refuge in you.Both prayers ask God to preserve the speaker’s soul, joining a plea for rescue with trust in him.
John 17:11I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may …David asks God to preserve him, while Jesus asks the Holy Father to keep those who remain in the world.
Isaiah 26:3–4You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.Both passages connect trust in God with his keeping care, though David asks for preservation and Isaiah speaks of peace.
John 10:27–29My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.The shared thread is belonging: David calls himself God’s servant, while Jesus describes his sheep as known by him and following him.
1 Samuel 2:9He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness; for no man will prevail by strength.Both texts connect godliness with dependence on God’s protection; Samuel’s passage also denies that human strength can secure victory.
Ephesians 1:12–13to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ.The shared thread is trust: David trusts in God, while Ephesians speaks of those who have hoped in Christ.
Romans 9:23–24and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory—The connection is broad: David seeks God’s saving care, while Romans speaks of people receiving God’s mercy and glory.
Romans 9:18So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.The link is limited: David petitions God for rescue, while Romans describes God’s freedom to show mercy and to harden.
Romans 15:12–13Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”Both passages speak of trust or hope, with David trusting God and the Gentiles hoping in the ruler from Jesse’s line.
Where this verse fits

Fear for the future. anxiety or panic. wanting a steady prayer habit.

What the Bible says about fear →What the Bible says about anxiety →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Pray Psalm 86:2 aloud before bed one night

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Encouragement

Trust in God can take the form of a plea for preservation. Even the servant who calls himself godly depends on God to save him.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 86:2. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 86 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

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).