King James Version

What Does Psalms 86:15 Mean?

Psalms 86:15 in the King James Version says “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering , and plenteous in mercy and truth. — study this verse from Psalms chapter 86 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 86:15 · KJV


Context

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.

16

O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

17

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious (וְאַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֵל־רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן, ve-attah Adonai El-rachum ve-channun)—Rachum means compassionate, merciful; channun means gracious, showing favor. Longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב־חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת, erekh appayim ve-rav-chesed ve-emet)—Erekh appayim literally means "long of nostrils," i.e., slow to anger; rav-chesed means abundant in covenant love; emet means truth, faithfulness.

This verse quotes Exodus 34:6, God's self-revelation to Moses after the golden calf. David contrasts his godless enemies (v. 14) with God's compassionate character. The fivefold description emphasizes divine patience and reliability. Despite enemy violence, God remains merciful. This isn't weakness but strength—he could destroy rebels instantly but offers grace instead.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Exodus 34:6-7 is cited repeatedly in the OT (Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 103:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2), becoming Israel's core confession of God's character. Whenever they faced judgment or distress, they appealed to this revelation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does meditating on God's character (compassion, grace, patience) transform your response to enemies?
  2. Which of these five attributes (compassion, grace, patience, mercy, faithfulness) do you most need to trust right now?
  3. How does God's "longsuffering" with his enemies inform how you should treat yours?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְאַתָּ֣ה1 of 10
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֲ֭דֹנָי2 of 10

But thou O Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

אֵל3 of 10

art a God

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

רַח֣וּם4 of 10

full of compassion

H7349

compassionate

וְחַנּ֑וּן5 of 10

and gracious

H2587

gracious

אֶ֥רֶךְ6 of 10

longsuffering

H750

long

אַ֝פַּ֗יִם7 of 10
H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְרַב8 of 10

and plenteous

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

חֶ֥סֶד9 of 10

in mercy

H2617

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

וֶאֱמֶֽת׃10 of 10

and truth

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness


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 86:15 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 86:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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