Psalms 86:13

KJV

For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

KJV (with Strong's)

For great {H1419} is thy mercy {H2617} toward me: and thou hast delivered {H5337}{H8689)} my soul {H5315} from the lowest {H8482} hell {H7585}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For your grace toward me is so great! You have rescued me from the lowest part of Sh'ol.

Berean Standard Bible

For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol.

American Standard Version

For great is thy lovingkindness toward me; And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 86:13 is a fervent declaration by David, expressing profound gratitude for God's boundless mercy and His powerful deliverance from the most extreme peril. This verse encapsulates a personal testimony of rescue from what David perceived as the brink of utter destruction or the deepest despair, affirming God's steadfast loving-kindness as the source of his salvation and the foundation of his ongoing trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 86 is a deeply personal prayer of David, categorized as a "Prayer of David" and often identified as a lament or supplication. Throughout the psalm, David, a man facing numerous adversaries and personal distress, appeals to God's character, particularly His mercy, goodness, and truth. The psalm opens with pleas for God to hear and preserve him ([Psalms 86:1-2](/psalms/86-1 "Psalms 86:1-2 - David's Plea for Mercy")), acknowledges God's unique deity and power ([Psalms 86:8-10](/psalms/86-8 "Psalms 86:8-10 - God's Uniqueness and Power")), and concludes with a renewed request for a sign of God's favor ([Psalms 86:17](/psalms/86-17 "Psalms 86:17 - David's Plea for a Sign")). Verse 13 serves as a powerful declaration of past deliverance, providing a foundational reason for David's continued confidence and appeals for help, anchoring his present petitions in God's proven faithfulness. It transitions from a general appeal for mercy to a specific, grateful remembrance of a past, profound rescue.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was marked by frequent periods of intense peril, including persecution by King Saul, numerous battles against foreign enemies, and internal rebellions (e.g., Absalom's revolt, as detailed in [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). The phrase "lowest hell" (Hebrew: *Sheol tahtit*) reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of Sheol as the grave or the realm of the dead, a shadowy place from which return was generally not expected. The addition of "lowest" intensifies the imagery, signifying the deepest possible pit or the most extreme form of distress, near-death experience, or utter despair. It does not refer to a place of eternal punishment as later Christian theology developed, but rather to a rescue from existential threat, grave illness, or overwhelming circumstances that threatened to consume life itself. David's experience is thus rooted in his concrete historical struggles and the prevalent cultural understanding of life and death.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Abundant Mercy (Hebrew: *chesed*)**, emphasizing that His loving-kindness is not merely a fleeting emotion but a steadfast, covenantal loyalty that is actively demonstrated in deliverance. David's personal experience underscores the boundless nature of this divine attribute. Secondly, it showcases **Divine Deliverance from Utter Peril**, illustrating God's sovereign power to rescue His people from the most dire circumstances, even from the very brink of death or overwhelming despair, as seen in David's numerous escapes from enemies (e.g., [1 Samuel 19](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - David's Escape from Saul")). Lastly, the verse functions as a **Personal Testimony and Foundation for Trust**. David's declaration is a profound personal witness to God's intervention in his life, fostering a spirit of gratitude and reinforcing his trust in God's ongoing help, thereby providing a basis for his continued prayers and reliance on God's character, as exemplified throughout [Psalm 86](/psalms/86 "Psalm 86 - A Prayer of David").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _ḥesed'_):** This rich theological term, often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty," signifies God's faithful, active, and enduring love, particularly within the context of His covenant relationship with His people. It is far more profound than mere pity, denoting an unwavering commitment that prompts God to act on behalf of those He loves, even when they are undeserving. David's use of "great is thy mercy" emphasizes the vast, unmerited nature of this divine attribute.
* **Lowest hell (Hebrew, _Sheol taḥtît'_):** *Sheol* typically refers to the grave, the realm of the dead, or the underworld in general in the Old Testament. The addition of *taḥtît* (lowest, deepest) intensifies this, suggesting the deepest possible pit, the most severe affliction, or the very brink of annihilation. It represents a state of extreme danger, profound despair, or a near-death experience, rather than a theological concept of eternal damnation as understood in later Christian doctrine. It signifies a rescue from the power of death or the forces that lead to it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For great [is] thy mercy toward me":** This opening clause serves as a declaration of God's character and David's personal experience of it. The "For" indicates that this truth is the foundation or reason for David's preceding prayers and confidence. It highlights the immensity ("great") and personal nature ("toward me") of God's *ḥesed*. It is not a general attribute but one actively and powerfully demonstrated in David's life.
* **"and thou hast delivered my soul":** This clause describes the specific action God took. "Delivered" implies a rescue from bondage, danger, or a perilous situation. "My soul" refers to David's very life, his being, emphasizing the personal and existential nature of the rescue. It is a past, completed action, a testament to God's faithfulness.
* **"from the lowest hell":** This phrase describes the extreme depth of the peril from which David was delivered. Whether a literal brush with death, a profound spiritual or emotional crisis, or an overwhelming threat that felt like the very gates of death, God's intervention pulled him back from the deepest possible pit. It underscores the severity of the situation and the extraordinary power of God's salvation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 86:13 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The phrase "lowest hell" is a prime example of **Hyperbole**, used to emphasize the extreme nature of the danger or despair from which David was delivered. It is not meant to be taken literally as a geographical location but rather to express the profound depth of his affliction and the miraculous extent of God's rescue. The verse also functions as a **Personal Testimony**, a direct, first-person declaration of God's saving work in David's life, which serves to affirm God's character and encourage the reader. Furthermore, the entire verse is an expression of **Gratitude**, stemming from David's profound relief and awe at God's intervention. The contrast between David's dire situation and God's "great mercy" also suggests a subtle use of **Antithesis**, highlighting the vast difference between human vulnerability and divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates a core biblical truth: God's character is defined by immense mercy and an unfailing commitment to deliver His people from the deepest perils. David's experience of being rescued from "the lowest hell" is a testament to God's sovereign power over life and death, and His compassionate *ḥesed* that extends even to the brink of annihilation. This divine attribute is not merely a passive feeling but an active, redemptive force that intervenes in the lives of those who call upon Him. It establishes a pattern of divine rescue that permeates the entire biblical narrative, from Israel's deliverance from Egypt to the ultimate salvation offered in Christ.

* [Psalms 103:11](/psalms/103-11 "Psalms 103:11 - God's Great Mercy")
* [Jonah 2:2](/jonah/2-2 "Jonah 2:2 - Jonah's Prayer from Sheol")
* [Psalms 30:3](/psalms/30-3 "Psalms 30:3 - God Brings Soul from Sheol")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 86:13 offers profound encouragement and a powerful model for believers navigating their own seasons of distress. It reminds us that no matter how deep the "pit" of despair, sickness, spiritual struggle, or life's overwhelming difficulties, God's mercy is infinitely greater, and His arm is long enough to deliver. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of profound gratitude, reflecting on past instances of God's faithful intervention in our lives. Remembering His past mercies not only strengthens our faith for present and future challenges but also provides a solid foundation for our prayers. Just as David based his appeals on God's proven character and past actions, we too can approach God with confidence, knowing that His *ḥesed* endures forever, and He is capable of saving us from any situation that threatens to overwhelm our souls. It invites us to trust in a God who specializes in bringing light to the darkest places and hope to the most hopeless situations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How have you personally experienced God's "great mercy" in moments of deep distress or apparent hopelessness?**
* **In what "lowest hell" (figuratively speaking, a challenging situation or despair) might God be calling you to trust in His delivering power today?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness and deliverance strengthen your faith for future challenges?**

### FAQ

**What does "lowest hell" mean in this Old Testament context?**

Answer: In Psalms 86:13, "lowest hell" translates the Hebrew phrase *Sheol taḥtît*. *Sheol* in the Old Testament primarily refers to the grave or the realm of the dead, a shadowy place where all people go after death, regardless of their righteousness. It is not the New Testament concept of a place of eternal punishment for the wicked. The addition of "lowest" (*taḥtît*) intensifies the imagery, signifying the deepest possible pit, the most severe affliction, or the very brink of annihilation. Therefore, David's deliverance from the "lowest hell" means he was rescued from an extremely perilous situation, a near-death experience, or a profound state of despair that felt like being swallowed by death itself. It underscores God's power to save from the most dire circumstances, as seen in [Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish](/jonah/2-2 "Jonah 2:2 - Jonah's Prayer from Sheol") or God bringing one's soul up from the grave in [Psalms 30:3](/psalms/30-3 "God Brings Soul from Sheol").

**How is "mercy" (Hebrew: *ḥesed*) different from general kindness?**

Answer: The Hebrew word *ḥesed* is a rich theological term that goes far beyond general kindness or pity. It is best understood as "steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," or "lovingkindness." *Ḥesed* describes God's faithful, active, and enduring love, particularly as it is expressed within the context of His covenant relationship with His people. It implies a deep commitment and loyalty that compels God to act on behalf of those He has bound Himself to, even when they are undeserving. Unlike a fleeting act of kindness, *ḥesed* is a persistent, unwavering attribute of God's character, demonstrating His reliability and faithfulness in keeping His promises and delivering His people. It is a love that is both gracious and strong, as seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - God's Character of Mercy and Grace").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While David's deliverance from the "lowest hell" was a profound personal experience of God's mercy, it ultimately points forward to the supreme act of deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ. David's rescue from the brink of death foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over death, the grave, and the power of sin. Jesus, the true Son of David, did not merely escape death but conquered it, descending into the "lower parts of the earth" ([Ephesians 4:9](/ephesians/4-9 "Ephesians 4:9 - Christ's Descent into the Lower Parts of the Earth")) through His crucifixion and then triumphantly rising from the dead on the third day. His resurrection is the definitive proof of God's "great mercy" and delivering power, breaking the bonds of death and destroying the power of the one who holds the power of death—that is, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection, believers are delivered not only from the metaphorical "lowest hell" of despair and sin's dominion but from eternal separation from God, receiving new life and the promise of resurrection ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried with Christ Through Baptism")). Thus, David's grateful testimony finds its ultimate and complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world and delivers us from every "hell" that seeks to consume us ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 103:8

The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Psalms 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Luke 1:58

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Psalms 56:13

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not [thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Psalms 116:8

For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, [and] my feet from falling.

Psalms 57:10

For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

Job 33:28

He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.