King James Version

What Does Psalms 86:13 Mean?

Psalms 86:13 in the King James Version says “For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. hell: or, grave” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 86 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. hell: or, grave”

Psalms 86:13 · KJV

Salvation

Context

11

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

12

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

13

For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. hell: or, grave

14

O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. violent: Heb. terrible

15

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering , and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Read Psalms 86 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For great is thy mercy toward me (כִּי־חַסְדְּךָ גָדוֹל עָלָי, ki-chasdekha gadol alai)—Chesed means steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy; gadol means great, large, abundant. And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell (וְהִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשְּׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיָּה, ve-hitzalta nafshi mi-she'ol tachtiyyah)—Hitzalta means you have delivered; she'ol tachtiyyah means the lowest Sheol, the depths of the grave.

This verse grounds praise (v. 12) in specific deliverance. God's chesed isn't abstract but experienced—he rescued David from death itself. "Lowest hell" (Sheol) represents not just physical death but the realm of the dead, separation from God. New Testament believers read this christologically: Jesus descended to the grave and rose, delivering all who trust him from ultimate death (Ephesians 4:8-9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

David repeatedly faced mortal danger—from Goliath, Saul's spear, enemy armies, Absalom's coup. Each deliverance confirmed God's chesed. Early Christians applied this verse to Christ's resurrection, seeing it as the ultimate deliverance from Sheol's depths.

Reflection Questions

  1. From what specific "depths" has God's mercy delivered you in the past?
  2. How does remembering past deliverances strengthen faith during present trials?
  3. How does Christ's descent to death and resurrection fulfill this verse ultimately?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
כִּֽי1 of 8
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חַ֭סְדְּךָ2 of 8

“is thy mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

גָּד֣וֹל3 of 8

“For great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

עָלָ֑י4 of 8
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְהִצַּ֥לְתָּ5 of 8

“toward me and thou hast delivered”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י6 of 8

“my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מִשְּׁא֥וֹל7 of 8

“hell”

H7585

hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates

תַּחְתִּיָּֽה׃8 of 8

“from the lowest”

H8482

lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 86:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 86:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 103:8-12Luke 1:58Psalms 56:13Psalms 116:8Job 33:28Psalms 57:10

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