Psalms 86:15

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

But thou, O Lord {H136}, art a God {H410} full of compassion {H7349}, and gracious {H2587}, longsuffering {H750}{H639}, and plenteous {H7227} in mercy {H2617} and truth {H571}.

But you, Adonai, are a merciful, compassionate God, slow to anger and rich in grace and truth.

But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.

But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

Commentary

Psalms 86:15 is a profound declaration of God's unchanging character, a cornerstone verse that reveals the very essence of the divine nature. In this verse, David, in the midst of his prayer for deliverance, shifts from petition to praise, anchoring his hope in the steadfast attributes of the Lord.

Context

Psalm 86 is a personal lament and prayer of David, where he pours out his heart to God, seeking help and guidance in a time of distress. Throughout the psalm, David appeals to God's goodness and power, contrasting his own weakness with God's strength. Verse 15 serves as a powerful theological anchor within this prayer, providing the foundation for David's confidence that God will indeed hear and answer. It is a direct invocation of God's self-revelation, echoing foundational truths about the Lord's identity first revealed in the Old Testament.

Key Themes

  • Divine Compassion and Grace: The verse opens by highlighting God as "full of compassion" (rachum in Hebrew) and "gracious" (channun). These terms emphasize God's tenderhearted pity for humanity and His readiness to bestow unmerited favor. His compassion is not merely a feeling but an active inclination to relieve suffering and show kindness.
  • Longsuffering Patience: God is described as "longsuffering" (erekh appayim, literally "slow to anger"). This attribute underscores God's immense patience and forbearance with human sin and rebellion, giving ample opportunity for repentance rather than immediate judgment.
  • Abundant Mercy and Truth: The phrase "plenteous in mercy and truth" points to God's rich and overflowing steadfast love (chesed) and His unwavering faithfulness (emeth). God's mercy here signifies His covenant loyalty and enduring kindness, while His truth speaks to His reliability, integrity, and the certainty of His promises. These attributes assure believers of God's trustworthiness and His commitment to His word.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in Psalms 86:15 are highly significant:

  • Rachum (compassion): Conveys a deep, visceral tenderness, often associated with a mother's affection for her child. It signifies a profound empathy.
  • Channun (gracious): Implies a bending down to help the needy, a willingness to show favor and kindness, especially to those who do not deserve it.
  • Erekh Appayim (longsuffering): Literally "long of nostrils" or "slow to anger," indicating a delayed and restrained response to provocation.
  • Chesed (mercy/steadfast love): A cornerstone theological term in the Old Testament, denoting loyal, covenantal love, faithfulness, and kindness that endures. It's often translated as "lovingkindness."
  • Emeth (truth): Signifies reliability, faithfulness, and consistency. God's truth means He is utterly dependable and His word is true.

Related Scriptures

This declaration of God's character is not unique to Psalms 86 but echoes a foundational revelation of God's nature throughout Scripture. It is famously first revealed to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7, where the Lord passes before Moses and proclaims these very attributes. Similar affirmations of God's compassionate and merciful nature can be found in Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, and most notably, Psalm 103:8, which almost directly mirrors this verse. These recurring declarations emphasize the unchanging and consistent nature of God's benevolent character towards His people.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 86:15 serves as a powerful reminder of the God we worship. In times of personal struggle, doubt, or distress, we can confidently appeal to His proven character. Knowing that God is compassionate, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in mercy and truth provides a solid foundation for prayer, repentance, and hope. It encourages us to approach Him with boldness, trusting in His willingness to forgive, to sustain, and to be faithful to His promises. This verse invites us to reflect His character in our own lives, extending compassion, grace, patience, and truth to others, just as He extends it to us.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ephesians 2:4

    ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

  • Ephesians 2:7

    That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

  • Psalms 130:7

    Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD [there is] mercy, and with him [is] plenteous redemption.

  • Psalms 103:8

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

  • Ephesians 1:7

    In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

  • Psalms 86:5

    For thou, Lord, [art] good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

  • Joel 2:13

    And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.