Psalms 86:17

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The psalmist speaks directly to the LORD, concluding a plea for mercy and deliverance after requesting strength to be saved (Psalms 86:16).

The words — א֗וֹת ('ot) means "a sign" and לְ/ט֫וֹבָ֥ה (le./To.Vah) means "of goodness," forming the explicit request for a visible demonstration of divine favor. וְ/יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ (ve./ye.Vo.shu) literally means "and they may be ashamed," directed at the שֹׂנְאַ֣/י (so.ne.'A/i), those who hate the speaker.

The thread — The request for a sign appears in Judges 6:17, while the theme of divine intervention for vindication parallels the psalmist’s plea in Psalms 41:10 to be raised up so he may repay his enemies.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition of the LORD’s past help and comfort as the basis for future vindication against hostile forces.

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

עֲשֵֽׂה־'a.seh-do עִמִּ֥י'i.M/iwith/ me א֗וֹת'ota sign לְט֫וֹבָ֥הle./To.Vahof/ goodness וְיִרְא֣וּve./yir.'Uso/ they may see שֹׂנְאַ֣יso.ne.'A/i[those who] hate/ me וְיֵבֹ֑שׁוּve./ye.Vo.shuand/ they may be ashamed כִּֽי־ki-for אַתָּ֥ה'a.Tahyou יְ֝הוָ֗הYah.wehO Yahweh עֲזַרְתַּ֥נִי'a.zar.Ta./niyou have helped/ me וְנִחַמְתָּֽנִי׃ve./ni.cham.Ta./niand/ you have comforted/ me

King James Version

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Cross-references

Psalms 41:10 But You, O LORD, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them.
Judges 6:17 Gideon answered, “If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me.
Psalms 71:20 Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.
Psalms 71:9 Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
Psalms 40:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
Micah 7:8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
Psalms 109:29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace; may they wear their shame like a robe.
1 Corinthians 5:5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
Isaiah 38:22 And Hezekiah had asked, “What will be the sign that I will go up to the house of the LORD?”
Psalms 74:9 There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer any prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last.