A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

PSALMS 86:1KJV
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Psalms 86:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 86:1 mean?

Psalms 86:1 shows David praying to God, asking the LORD to listen closely and answer him because he feels poor and needy. The verse is a humble request for God’s attention and help, coming from a place of real need.

David is speaking directly to the LORD, using personal language that shows his dependence and trust. The setting is one of distress or difficulty, where David openly admits his weakness and need for God’s care. This verse sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which is a heartfelt prayer for mercy and support.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 86:1

  • "Prayer" (תְּפִלָּה, tefillah): This word signals that the whole psalm is meant as a direct conversation with God, not just a statement or a song.
  • "Down" (נָטָה, natah): The Hebrew word often means to stretch out or bend down, giving the picture of God leaning in to listen closely, which adds warmth and care to the request.
  • "Poor" (עָנִי, ani): This word describes someone who is afflicted or humbled, not just lacking money but feeling low or vulnerable in life.
  • "Needy" (אֶבְיוֹן, evyon): This term often refers to someone desperate for help, emphasizing David’s sense of dependence and urgency.

Why Psalms 86:1 matters

  • The verse highlights how David approaches God honestly, without pretending to be strong, which encourages readers to be open about their own needs in prayer.
  • The language of God “bowing down” His ear shows a personal, attentive relationship, not a distant or uncaring deity.
  • Understanding the original words for “poor” and “needy” reveals that David’s need is not just financial but deeply emotional and spiritual, broadening the sense of what it means to seek God’s help.

Where else these words appear

“needy” Hebrew H34 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 23:6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
  • Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
  • Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

“Prayer” Hebrew H8605 · used in 70 verses

  • 2 Samuel 7:27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
  • Nehemiah 11:17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
  • Psalms 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

“poor” Hebrew H6041 · used in 78 verses

  • Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
  • Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
  • Ecclesiastes 6:8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?