Single lesson
Psalm 86: Tried but Trusting
Psalms 86:1–17
Psalm 86 is a prayer from someone in trouble who keeps calling to God. In this lesson, children trace how the prayer moves from need, to praise, to asking for help and strength again.
Before you teach
In Psalm 86:1–17, the speaker asks God to hear, save, show mercy and bring joy. He says he trusts God, calls all day, praises God’s goodness and forgiveness, and speaks about trouble from proud and violent people. The prayer also asks to be taught God’s way and to have an undivided heart.
Students will identify at least one request, one praise statement, and one change in focus across Psalm 86:1–17.
Welcome: What kind of words do we hear in this prayer?
4 minSay that Psalm 86 is a prayer spoken to the Lord. Ask children to listen for four kinds of words as you read selected verses aloud: help words, trust words, praise words and learning words. Briefly explain that “poor and needy” means deeply in need, and “merciful” means showing compassion.
Psalms 86:1, Psalms 86:3, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 86:11
Read and explain: The prayer begins with need and trust
7 minRead verses 1–7. Point out that the speaker asks God to hear, answer, preserve, save, show mercy and bring joy. He calls himself God’s servant and says he trusts in God. Show that this prayer is honest about trouble, yet still expects God to hear and answer.
Psalms 86:1, Psalms 86:2, Psalms 86:3, Psalms 86:4, Psalms 86:6, Psalms 86:7
Discuss: The middle of the psalm praises God
6 minRead verses 8–13. Help children notice the change in focus. The speaker talks about who God is: no one is like him, his deeds are great, and he alone is God. He also asks to be taught God’s way and for an undivided heart, then promises wholehearted praise.
Psalms 86:8, Psalms 86:9, Psalms 86:10, Psalms 86:11, Psalms 86:12, Psalms 86:13
Make and respond: Illustrated prayer card
8 minChildren make a simple card with three panels or sections: ‘Help’, ‘Praise’ and ‘Trust’. In each part, they draw or write a phrase from the psalm that fits. Encourage them to choose exact words from the verses, such as ‘Hear me’, ‘You are good’, or ‘Teach me your way’.
Psalms 86:1, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 86:11, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 86:16, Psalms 86:17
Closing: End with the final requests of the prayer
5 minRead verses 14–17. Explain that the speaker tells God about proud and violent people, then returns to God’s mercy, grace, loving kindness and truth. Finish by asking children to name one thing the speaker asks for at the end: mercy, strength, salvation, or a sign of God’s goodness.
Psalms 86:14, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 86:16, Psalms 86:17
Questions to explore
What words in the opening verses show that the speaker is in real need, and what words show trust at the same time?
Look for phrases like ‘poor and needy’, ‘save your servant’ and ‘trusts in you’ to see both trouble and confidence together.
Psalms 86:1, Psalms 86:2
How does the prayer change in the middle when the speaker talks about God?
Notice the praise statements about God’s greatness, wondrous deeds and that he is God alone, then the request to be taught God’s way.
Psalms 86:8, Psalms 86:10, Psalms 86:11
What does the speaker ask for at the end, and what reasons does he give for asking?
Read the closing verses carefully and list the requests for mercy, strength, salvation and a sign, along with the words about enemies and God’s help.
Psalms 86:14, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 86:16, Psalms 86:17
Make, think or respond
Illustrated Prayer Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
- Bible text of Psalm 86:1–17
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three sections and label them ‘Help’, ‘Praise’ and ‘Trust’.
- Read Psalm 86 again and choose a short phrase for each section from the verses.
- Draw a simple picture or symbol to match each phrase, such as praying hands, a heart, or a path.
- Share the card with a partner and explain why each phrase fits that section.
This activity helps children see the movement of Psalm 86 from asking for help, to praising God, to trusting him again.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-write several short phrases from the psalm on the board and let them copy one into each section with simple drawings.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to add verse numbers and explain in one sentence how the psalm changes from beginning to middle to end.
An optional closing prayer
You could pray: ‘Lord, hear us when we call to you. Teach us your way, help us trust you, and fill our hearts with praise for your goodness and mercy. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 86
1 Hear, Yahweh, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
3 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.
6 Hear, Yahweh, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.
8 There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.
9 All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone.
11 Teach me your way, Yahweh. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forever more.
13 For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
14 God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, and they don’t hold regard for you before them.
15 But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant.
17 Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.