Bible Strands
Psalms 86:3
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses Yahweh as a servant in distress, sandwiching his plea between requests for soul preservation and spiritual joy. The psalmist positions himself as one who trusts in God while actively seeking deliverance.
The words — The imperative חָנֵּ֥נִי (chānēnî) commands God to "show favor" or "be merciful," anchored by the phrase אֶ֝קְרָ֗א כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם ('eqrāʾ kol-hayyôm), which literally means "I call out all day."
The thread — The motif of unceasing daily supplication recurs in Psalm 88:9 and aligns with the apostolic instruction to pray continually in Ephesians 6:18.
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to abandon self-reliance and adopt a posture of constant, explicit dependence on divine mercy.
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
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
Cross-references
- Psalms 57:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
- Psalms 88:9 My eyes grow dim with grief. I call to You daily, O LORD; I spread out my hands to You.
- Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
- Psalms 25:5 Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.
- Psalms 4:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress; show me grace and hear my prayer.
- Psalms 55:17 Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
- Psalms 56:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
- Luke 2:37 and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
- Luke 11:8 I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
- Luke 18:7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?