Psalm 86 is the psalmist’s prayer to God for help during a difficult time. The beauty of this prayer is that whatever the context, the psalmist feels confident in approaching God with their lament and supplication because of who God is. God is steadfast in love, gracious, good, and forgiving. God has not changed. Like the psalmist, we too can approach God with the assurance that God will hear and answer us.
Below you will find Psalm 86 arranged with a sung refrain and prayer. In the sung refrain instead of speaking of the day of trouble, I choose to make it more specific to this day of trouble. As you add your own prayers, I encourage you to name the specific occasions for trouble that your worshiping community is experiencing.
The refrain itself is made up of three parts, an ostinato, melody, and descant. It is simple enough that it can be split between voices or even sections of a congregation, though ideally you will have a choir or other vocalists available to help in the leading. It can be sung acapella or with a light piano accompaniment alternating between the Dm and Gm chord or with a cello, string bass, or organ playing a sustained low “D” throughout as a drone. The ostinato can be repeated under the spoken text as indicated or another instrument can keep the sound going.
Here is a simple audio of the full refrain.
In This Day of Trouble, Psalm 86:1–10, 16–17 NRSVUE
Sung Refrain: "In This Day of Trouble"
[Ostinato continues underneath the following spoken verses from Psalm 86.]
Psalm 86: 1–3
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all day long.
[Ostinato ends.]
Psalm 86: 4–5
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Sung Refrain: "In This Day of Trouble"
[Ostinato continues underneath the following spoken verses from Psalm 86.]
Psalm 86: 6–7
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.
[Ostinato ends.]
Prayers of Supplication, Intercession, and Lament
[Add your own prayers of the people at this time or pray for one or two specific items that are of particular importance to your community.]
Sung Refrain: "In This Day of Trouble"
Silence is kept.
Psalm 86: 8–10
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
All the nations you have made shall come
and bow down before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
Sung Refrain: "In This Day of Trouble"
[Ostinato continues underneath the following spoken verses from Psalm 86.]
Psalm 86: 16–17
Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant;
save the child of your maidservant.
Show me a sign of your favor,
so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,
because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
[Ostinato dies out.]
We pray this in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A - Season after Pentecost - Proper 7 (12)
