Psalms 86:3
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
Original Language Analysis
חָנֵּ֥נִי
Be merciful
H2603
חָנֵּ֥נִי
Be merciful
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶ֝קְרָ֗א
for I cry
H7121
אֶ֝קְרָ֗א
for I cry
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 7
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Psalms 57:1Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.Psalms 88:9Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.Ephesians 6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;Psalms 25:5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.Psalms 55:17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.Psalms 56:1Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.Psalms 4:1Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.Luke 2:37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.Luke 18:7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Historical Context
The daily prayer pattern reflects Jewish devotional practice that developed into fixed prayer times (morning, afternoon, evening). Daniel prayed three times daily facing Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10), and the early church continued this rhythm (Acts 3:1, 10:9). David's example established prayer as regular discipline sustaining covenant relationship, not merely crisis response. This foundation shaped Jewish and Christian spirituality.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your prayer life reflect daily dependence on God or primarily emergency appeals during crisis?
- How does praying for mercy rather than justice change your attitude toward God and others?
- What practical steps could help you develop 'all day' prayer consciousness like David practiced?
Analysis & Commentary
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. The appeal for mercy (chonneni, חָנֵּנִי, show grace/favor) uses a verb from chen (חֵן, grace), emphasizing unmerited favor rather than earned reward. David seeks not justice but grace, recognizing that survival depends on God's compassion, not his own deserving.
The term O Lord here is Adonai (אֲדֹנָי, Master/Sovereign), emphasizing God's authority and David's submission. As servant to Master, David has no rights to demand but every reason to appeal to God's character. This master-servant framework undergirds biblical prayer—we approach the King who has bound Himself by covenant to care for His people.
I cry unto thee daily (kol-hayom, כָּל־הַיּוֹם, all the day) reveals persistent, sustained prayer, not occasional crisis petitions. David's practice anticipates Paul's exhortation to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and Jesus's teaching on persistent prayer (Luke 18:1-8). Daily, continual prayer demonstrates dependence as lifestyle, not emergency measure.