New International VersionBring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
New Living TranslationGive me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.
English Standard VersionGladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Berean Standard BibleBring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
King James BibleRejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
New King James VersionRejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
New American Standard BibleMake the soul of Your servant joyful, For to You, Lord, I lift up my soul.
NASB 1995Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
NASB 1977Make glad the soul of Thy servant, For to Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Legacy Standard BibleMake glad the soul of Your slave, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Amplified BibleMake Your servant rejoice, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul [all that I am—in prayer].
Christian Standard BibleBring joy to your servant’s life, because I appeal to you, Lord.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBring joy to Your servant’s life, because I turn to You, Lord.
American Standard VersionRejoice the soul of thy servant; For unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Contemporary English VersionMake my heart glad! I serve you, and my prayer is sincere.
English Revised VersionRejoice the soul of thy servant; for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationGive me joy, O Lord, because I lift my soul to you.
Good News TranslationMake your servant glad, O Lord, because my prayers go up to you.
International Standard VersionYour servant rejoices, because, Lord, I set my hope on you.
NET BibleMake your servant glad, for to you, O Lord, I pray!
New Heart English BibleBring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Webster's Bible TranslationRejoice the soul of thy servant: for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
World English BibleBring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionMake glad the soul of Your servant, "" For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Young's Literal Translation Rejoice the soul of Thy servant, For unto Thee, O Lord, my soul I lift up.
Smith's Literal TranslationRejoice the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Jehovah, will I lift up my soul. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleGive joy to the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul.
Catholic Public Domain VersionGive joy to the soul of your servant, for I have lifted up my soul to you, Lord.
New American Bible Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
New Revised Standard Version Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible Rejoice the soul of thy servant; for unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Make the soul of your Servant glad, because to you, LORD JEHOVAH, I have lifted up my soul!OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917 Rejoice the soul of Thy servant; For unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Brenton Septuagint Translation Rejoice the sold of thy servant: for to thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Tried But Trusting… 3Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long. 4Bring joyto Your servant,forto You,O Lord,I lift upmy soul.5For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.…
Cross References Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Psalm 5:11But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy. May You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
Psalm 90:14Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
John 16:22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
Isaiah 61:10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Romans 15:13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 30:5For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.
1 Peter 1:8Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
Psalm 51:12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Nehemiah 8:10Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Psalm 16:11You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Psalm 33:21For our hearts rejoice in Him, since we trust in His holy name.
1 Thessalonians 5:16Rejoice at all times.
Psalm 70:4May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “Let God be magnified!”
Treasury of Scripture Rejoice the soul of your servant: for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. rejoice Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold mewith thy free spirit. Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for everin that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. do Psalm 25:1A Psalm of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: Godis a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 143:8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Jump to Previous GladGladdenJoyLiftRejoiceServantSoulJump to Next GladGladdenJoyLiftRejoiceServantSoulPsalm 86 1.David strengthens his prayer by the consciousness of his religion5.By the goodness and power of God11.He desires the continuance of former grace14.Complaining of the proud, he craves some token of God's goodnessBring joy to Your servantThis phrase reflects a plea for divine intervention and joy, emphasizing the relationship between God and His servant. The term "servant" indicates a position of humility and submission, often used by David to describe his relationship with God. In biblical times, a servant was someone who relied entirely on their master for provision and protection, mirroring the believer's dependence on God. The request for joy suggests a deep trust in God's ability to transform circumstances, aligning with the biblical theme that true joy comes from God ( Psalm 16:11). This plea can be seen as a foreshadowing of the joy found in Christ, who offers eternal joy and peace to His followers ( John 15:11). for to You, O Lord The use of "O Lord" signifies a personal and covenantal relationship with God, invoking His name as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. This reflects the understanding that God is not distant but intimately involved in the lives of His people. The phrase underscores the monotheistic belief central to the faith of Israel, contrasting with the polytheistic cultures surrounding them. It also highlights the exclusivity of worship and reliance on the one true God, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:4). I lift up my soul Lifting up one's soul is an expression of complete surrender and trust in God. It indicates a deep spiritual act of worship and dependence, where the psalmist offers his innermost being to God. This act of lifting up the soul is a recurring theme in the Psalms, symbolizing a heartfelt prayer and longing for God's presence and guidance (Psalm 25:1). It reflects the biblical principle that God desires a relationship with His people that involves the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. This phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, who perfectly exemplified a life of complete surrender to the Father's will (Luke 22:42). Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 86, David is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his deep relationship with God, his role as the second king of Israel, and his authorship of many psalms. 2. God (Yahweh)The one to whom David directs his prayer, seeking joy and lifting his soul. Yahweh is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. 3. ServantRefers to David himself, highlighting his humility and dedication to serving God. Teaching Points Joy in ServiceTrue joy comes from serving God and aligning our desires with His will. David's request for joy is rooted in his identity as God's servant. Lifting the SoulLifting our soul to God signifies trust and surrender. It is an act of worship and dependence, acknowledging that God is the source of our joy and strength. Prayer as a Source of JoyPrayer is not just a request for help but a means to experience God's presence and joy. Regular communication with God transforms our perspective and fills us with His joy. Humility in Relationship with GodRecognizing our position as servants of God fosters humility. This humility opens the door to experiencing God's grace and joy. God's FaithfulnessTrusting in God's faithfulness is crucial for experiencing joy. David's confidence in God’s character is the foundation of his request for joy. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Psalm 86:4?
2.How can we "bring joy" to our souls through daily prayer practices?
3.What does it mean to "lift up my soul" to God in trust?
4.How does Psalm 86:4 connect with Jesus' teachings on joy and peace?
5.In what ways can we seek God's presence during times of distress?
6.How can trusting God in Psalm 86:4 influence our response to life's challenges?
7.How does Psalm 86:4 reflect the nature of God's relationship with His followers?
8.What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 86:4?
9.How does Psalm 86:4 address the concept of joy in times of distress?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 86?
11.Do the joyful descriptions in Psalm 126:2, 5-6 conflict with other biblical accounts (e.g., Nehemiah 4) that depict the return from exile as difficult and fraught with opposition?
12.Does the mention of temple procession (Psalm 42:4) align with archaeological evidence of ancient Israelite worship?
13.Psalm 112:3 declares that the righteous will enjoy wealth and riches; how does this reconcile with devout individuals who remain poor and persecuted throughout history?
14.What are the main themes of the Bible's books?What Does Psalm 86:4 Mean Bring joy– David does not chase joy through his own efforts; he asks God to “Bring joy.” – Joy is treated as a gift that flows from God’s presence and activity (Psalm 16:11;Psalm 30:5;Psalm 51:12). – The request presumes that God delights to gladden His children—His nature is generous (James 1:17;Psalm 86:5). to Your servant– Calling himself “Your servant” highlights humility, ownership, and loyalty (Psalm 116:16;Psalm 119:49). – A servant’s well-being reflects on the Master’s honor. When God blesses His servant, His own goodness is displayed (Isaiah 43:21). – New-covenant believers still embrace this identity (Acts 4:29;1 Peter 2:16). for to You– “For” gives the basis of the plea: the psalmist has nowhere else to turn. – Only God holds the authority and resources to grant lasting joy (Psalm 62:1–2;Psalm 73:25–26). – The verse teaches that prayer is grounded in relationship; we ask because we belong to Him. O Lord– Addressing God by His covenant name underscores personal intimacy and reverence (Psalm 86:15;Exodus 34:6). – The psalmist expects covenant faithfulness; God’s promises anchor his confidence (Deuteronomy 7:9;2 Timothy 2:13). I lift up my soul– “Lift up” pictures wholehearted surrender and dependence (Psalm 25:1;Psalm 143:8). – The soul, the deepest self, is offered to God—no compartmentalized religion here. – This posture invites God to fill what is emptied before Him (Lamentations 3:41;Matthew 11:28–29). summaryPsalm 86:4 reveals a servant who looks solely to the Lord for inner gladness. He comes humbly, confident that the covenant-keeping God delights to grant joy when a soul is lifted up in total trust. Verse 4. - Rejoice the soul of thy servant. The prayer rises from mere entreaties for relief and recovery from a state of suffering, into an earnest request for that which the heart of man is ever longing for and seeking after - gladness and joy. The faithful are promised that they shall come ultimately to a condition of exceeding great joy; but even saints are sometimes impatient, and want their joy in this world and at once. For unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul (comp. Psalm 25:1, entitled, like this, "a Psalm of David"). There is no more likely way of attaining to spiritual joy than to be always lifting up the soul to God.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Bring joyשַׂ֭מֵּחַ(mê·aḥ)Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 8055:To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesometo Your servant,עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ(‘aḇ·de·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650:Slave, servantforכִּ֥י(kî)Conjunction Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionto You,אֵלֶ֥יךָ(’ê·le·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toO Lord,אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י(’ă·ḏō·nāy)Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136:The LordI lift upאֶשָּֽׂא׃(’eś·śā)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takemy soul.נַפְשִׁ֥י(nap̄·šî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5315:A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion
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OT Poetry: Psalm 86:4 Bring joy to the soul of your (Psalm Ps Psa.) |