Bible Strands
Psalms 86:16
Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, positioning a personal plea between a declaration of divine character (Psalms 86:15) and a request for a confirming sign (Psalms 86:17).
The words — פְּנֵ֥ה (pe.Neh) translates literally as "turn," and עֻזְּ/ךָ֥ ('u.ze./Kha) means "your strength." The text commands God to redirect His attention toward the speaker and to impart His power to His servant.
The thread — This appeal for divine empowerment aligns with the New Testament's call to rely on God's mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) and Christ's enabling strength (Philippians 4:13), while echoing the Old Testament promise that God gives power to the faint (Isaiah 40:29).
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition of human helplessness and requires the reader to actively seek God's mercy and power rather than relying on self-sufficiency. It frames survival and deliverance as dependent entirely on divine intervention.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
- Psalms 25:16 Turn to me and be gracious, for I am lonely and afflicted.
- Psalms 116:16 Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
- Psalms 138:3 On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.
- Ephesians 3:16 I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
- Colossians 1:11 being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully
- Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
- Psalms 69:16 Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.