(א) תְּפִלָּה לְדָוִד הַטֵּה ה’ אָזְנְךָ עֲנֵנִי כִּי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אָנִי:
(1) A tefillah by David. Hashem, incline Your ear, answer me, for I am poor and defenseless.
NOTE: For a PDF of this mizmor, please click here. This will enable you to print out the entire text of the article. [Rev. 0]
Key Concepts of Mizmor 086 – Answer Me
This mizmor was originally composed by David to strengthen his trust in Divine help when he was a fugitive, fleeing from King Shaul. David subsequently adapted it to serve the needs of the Jewish people whenever they might be in distress.
In this model tefillah (prayer), David demonstrates how a person who is despondent and forlorn, suffering from fear and guilt, can find solace and a renewed feeling of nearness to Hashem.
The mizmor consists of four parts, reflecting four stages in the process of regaining confidence in Hashem’s love. In the first part, David is dejected and crushed by circumstances. But he appeals to Hashem to listen to his tefillah. He does so by throwing himself upon Hashem’s mercy, humbly recognizing his total dependence upon his Creator. David pleads with Hashem to answer him and in doing so he feels a sense of Hashem’s presence all around him.
In the second part, David refreshes his appreciation of Hashem as the all-powerful and all-good Creator, the only authentic Power in all of Creation. This reminds him that Hashem loves him and will surely be ready to receive him in forgiveness.
In the third part, David is inspired to make a renewed effort to develop his own moral character and strengthen his spirit to be worthy of Hashem’s confidence. He asks Hashem to guide him in this process, teaching him the Divine attributes of goodness and kindness so that he can learn to emulate them.
Finally, in the fourth part David has gained sufficient confidence in his relationship with his Creator to step forward and plead with Hashem to exercise those Divine qualities now to enable him to endure the difficult challenges he is facing. And so he asks Hashem to let him overcome those who would harm him.
Exploring the Mizmor
PART 1. PLEA TO BE HEARD. David begins by seeking to re-establish his relationship with Hashem. His goal is to use the power of tefillah to gain a sense of Hashem’s nearness. The core of this plea is a self-examination in which he sees himself as being totally dependent upon Hashem, while at the same time being totally dedicated to Him. He praises the qualities of Hashem that cause Him to be responsive to those who call upon Him. By dwelling on those qualities David hopes that he too will be heard and will be blessed with the sense of nearness that he desperately seeks.
(א) תְּפִלָּה לְדָוִד הַטֵּה ה’ אָזְנְךָ עֲנֵנִי כִּי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אָנִי: (ב) שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי כִּי חָסִיד אָנִי הוֹשַׁע עַבְדְּךָ אַתָּה אֱלֹקַי הַבּוֹטֵחַ אֵלֶיךָ: (ג) חָנֵּנִי אֲדֹ־נָי כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֶקְרָא כָּל הַיּוֹם: (ד) שַׂמֵּחַ נֶפֶשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲדֹ־נָי נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא: (ה) כִּי אַתָּה אֲדֹ־נָי טוֹב וְסַלָּח וְרַב חֶסֶד לְכָל קֹרְאֶיךָ: (ו) הַאֲזִינָה ה’ תְּפִלָּתִי וְהַקְשִׁיבָה בְּקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָי: (ז) בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי אֶקְרָאֶךָּ כִּי תַעֲנֵנִי:
(1) A tefillah by David. Hashem, incline Your ear, answer me, for I am poor and defenseless (2) Protect my soul, for I am entirely dedicated [to You]. Save Your servant, who puts his trust in You, my G-d. (3) Grant me Your favor, Hashem, for I call upon You every day. (4) Bring joy to the soul of Your servant, for I lift up my soul to You Hashem [in total devotion]. (5) You, Hashem, are good and forgiving and You treat all who call upon You with bountiful kindness. (6) Hashem, hear my tefillah. Listen to the sound [and sincere intentions] of my supplications (7) I call upon You [now] on the day of my distress so that You will answer me [by giving me a sense of Your nearness].
PART 2. SONG OF PRAISE. David reflects upon the greatness of Hashem as the only authentic Power in all of Creation. Hashem’s unlimited goodness provides the basis by which even a poverty-stricken sinner can approach Him and be forgiven. These qualities will ultimately be recognized by all of humanity.
(ח) אֵין כָּמוֹךָ בָאֱלֹקִים אֲדֹ־נָי וְאֵין כְּמַעֲשֶׂיךָ: (ט) כָּל גּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ יָבוֹאוּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ אֲדֹ־נָי וִיכַבְּדוּ לִשְׁמֶךָ: (י) כִּי גָדוֹל אַתָּה וְעֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת אַתָּה אֱלֹקִים לְבַדֶּךָ:
(8) There is none like You among the heavenly forces, Hashem, and there is nothing like Your works. (9) All the nations that You have made will come and bow down before You, Hashem, and they will pay honor to Your Name. (10) For You are magnificent and perform wonders. You alone are G-d.
PART 3. PLEA FOR PERSONAL GROWTH. David resolves to work on his own spiritual development and calls upon Hashem to help him grow by focusing his attention on the cosmic qualities of morality, loving kindness, and gratitude .
(יא) הוֹרֵנִי ה’ דַּרְכֶּךָ אֲהַלֵּךְ בַּאֲמִתֶּךָ יַחֵד לְבָבִי לְיִרְאָה שְׁמֶךָ: (יב) אוֹדְךָ אֲדֹ־נָי אֱלֹקַי בְּכָל לְבָבִי וַאֲכַבְּדָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם: (יג) כִּי חַסְדְּךָ גָּדוֹל עָלָי וְהִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשְּׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיָּה:
(11) Teach me Your way, Hashem, so that I may walk in Your truth. Let my heart be focused in fearing Your Name. (12) I will then acknowledge You, Hashem, my G-d, with all my heart and I will give honor to Your Name forever (13) For Your kindness toward me is great; You have rescued my soul from the deep grave.
PART 4. PLEA FOR SURVIVAL. David now turns to his immediate and urgent need for surviving the dangers he is facing from ruthless enemies. He hopes that the spiritual strength he has acquired through tefillah will be rewarded with Hashem’s firect help in outlasting those who wish him harm.
(יד) אֱלֹקִים זֵדִים קָמוּ עָלַי וַעֲדַת עָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁוּ נַפְשִׁי וְלֹא שָׂמוּךָ לְנֶגְדָּם: (טו) וְאַתָּה אֲדֹ־נָי אֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת: (טז) פְּנֵה אֵלַי וְחָנֵּנִי תְּנָה עֻזְּךָ לְעַבְדֶּךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעָה לְבֶן אֲמָתֶךָ: (יז) עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי אוֹת לְטוֹבָה וְיִרְאוּ שֹׂנְאַי וְיֵבֹשׁוּ כִּי אַתָּה ה’ עֲזַרְתַּנִי וְנִחַמְתָּנִי:
(14) O G-d, wicked men have risen up against me; a group of powerful, ruthless men has sought my soul. They did not take Your truth into account. (15) But You, Hashem, are mighty G-d, the merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth. (16) Turn to me and have mercy on me. Grant Your strength to Your servant. Save the son of Your maidservant. (17) Provide me with a sign for good so that my enemies may see it and be disappointed that You, Hashem, have helped me and given me comfort.
Learning the Mizmor
PART 1. PLEA TO BE HEARD.
(א) תְּפִלָּה לְדָוִד
This mizmor was composed by David as a tefillah — תְּפִלָּה לְדָוִד to strengthen his trust in Divine help when he was a fugitive, fleeing from King Shaul. David subsequently adapted it to serve the needs of his people whenever they might be in distress.
הַטֵּה ה’ אָזְנְךָ עֲנֵנִי
כִּי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אָנִי:
כִּי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אָנִי:
Hashem, incline Your ear — הַטֵּה ה’ אָזְנְךָ and hear my words. Answer me — עֲנֵנִי by making me aware of Your active and sympathetic presence even before I have articulated any specific prayer, for I am poor and defenseless — כִּי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אָנִי . I am totally dependent on You. I want to please You but am unable to do so because of my desperate situation.
(ב) שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי כִּי חָסִיד אָנִי
הוֹשַׁע עַבְדְּךָ אַתָּה אֱלֹקַי הַבּוֹטֵחַ אֵלֶיךָ:
הוֹשַׁע עַבְדְּךָ אַתָּה אֱלֹקַי הַבּוֹטֵחַ אֵלֶיךָ:
Protect my soul — שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי from the dangers surrounding me; for I am entirely dedicated to You — כִּי חָסִיד אָנִי and I am defenseless without You. Save Your servant — הוֹשַׁע עַבְדְּךָ , who puts his trust in You, for You are my G-d — אַתָּה אֱלֹקַי הַבּוֹטֵחַ אֵלֶיךָ .
(ג) חָנֵּנִי אֲדֹ־נָי
כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֶקְרָא כָּל הַיּוֹם:
כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֶקְרָא כָּל הַיּוֹם:
Though I am unworthy, grant me Your favor, Hashem — חָנֵּנִי אֲדֹ־נָי , for I call upon You alone — כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֶקְרָא every day — כָּל הַיּוֹם , not just when I am in trouble.
(ד) שַׂמֵּחַ נֶפֶשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ
כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲדֹ־נָי נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא:
כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲדֹ־נָי נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא:
Bring spiritual joy to the soul of Your servant — שַׂמֵּחַ נֶפֶשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ by shining Your countenance upon me even in the midst of my physical suffering, for I lift up my soul to You Hashem in total devotion — כִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲדֹ־נָי נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא .
(ה) כִּי אַתָּה אֲדֹ־נָי טוֹב וְסַלָּח
וְרַב חֶסֶד לְכָל קֹרְאֶיךָ:
וְרַב חֶסֶד לְכָל קֹרְאֶיךָ:
For I know that even if I succumb to sin, You, Hashem, are good to the righteous and forgiving to the penitent — כִּי אַתָּה אֲדֹ־נָי טוֹב וְסַלָּח and You treat all who call upon You with bountiful kindness — וְרַב חֶסֶד לְכָל קֹרְאֶיךָ: .
(ו) הַאֲזִינָה ה’ תְּפִלָּתִי
וְהַקְשִׁיבָה בְּקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָי:
וְהַקְשִׁיבָה בְּקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָי:
Hashem, hear my tefillah — הַאֲזִינָה ה’ תְּפִלָּתִי . It will bring me closer to You if my attempt to recognize Your truth becomes worthy of Your attention. Listen to the sound and good intentions of my supplications — וְהַקְשִׁיבָה בְּקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָי even if the contents are not acceptable to You.
(ז) בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי אֶקְרָאֶךָּ כִּי תַעֲנֵנִי:
On the day of my distress — בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי I call upon You, not to test You but so that You will answer me — אֶקְרָאֶךָּ כִּי תַעֲנֵנִי by giving me a sense of Your nearness, so that I can endure the necessary suffering that You have decreed.
PART 2. SONG OF PRAISE.
(ח) אֵין כָּמוֹךָ בָאֱלֹקִים אֲדֹ־נָי
וְאֵין כְּמַעֲשֶׂיךָ:
וְאֵין כְּמַעֲשֶׂיךָ:
I know that You will bring an end to my pain when the time is right, for there is no limit to Your power. For there is none like You among the heavenly forces, Hashem — אֵין כָּמוֹךָ בָאֱלֹקִים אֲדֹ־נָי , and there is nothing like Your works — וְאֵין כְּמַעֲשֶׂיךָ .
(ט) כָּל גּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ
יָבוֹאוּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ אֲדֹ־נָי
וִיכַבְּדוּ לִשְׁמֶךָ:
יָבוֹאוּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ אֲדֹ־נָי
וִיכַבְּדוּ לִשְׁמֶךָ:
Your truth will one day be recognized by all of mankind. All the nations that You have made — כָּל גּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ will come and bow down before You, Hashem — יָבוֹאוּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ אֲדֹ־נָי , and they will pay honor to Your Name — וִיכַבְּדוּ לִשְׁמֶךָ for they will have come to recognize and value Your qualities of truth and goodness that are inherent in Your Name.
(י) כִּי גָדוֹל אַתָּה וְעֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת
אַתָּה אֱלֹקִים לְבַדֶּךָ:
אַתָּה אֱלֹקִים לְבַדֶּךָ:
For You are magnificent — כִּי גָדוֹל אַתָּה and perform wonders — וְעֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת . But the greatest of Your wonders is the kindness with which You guide those who have strayed and must be led back to You. They then recognize that You alone are G-d — אַתָּה אֱלֹקִים לְבַדֶּךָ , the original force of all existence. The power to create something out of nothing rests with You alone. Mankind will come to realize that the heavenly forces that impress them are nothing more than tools in Your hand.
PART 3. PLEA FOR PERSONAL GROWTH.
(יא) הוֹרֵנִי ה’ דַּרְכֶּךָ אֲהַלֵּךְ בַּאֲמִתֶּךָ
יַחֵד לְבָבִי לְיִרְאָה שְׁמֶךָ:
יַחֵד לְבָבִי לְיִרְאָה שְׁמֶךָ:
Teach me, Your way of universal love and kindness, Hashem — הוֹרֵנִי ה’ דַּרְכֶּךָ , so that I may walk in Your truth — אֲהַלֵּךְ בַּאֲמִתֶּךָ , to abide by the laws of the Torah that are not evident to the mind of man. Let my heart avoid distracting thoughts and concerns so that it will be focused in sincerely fearing Your Name — יַחֵד לְבָבִי לְיִרְאָה שְׁמֶךָ . Reconcile all the stirrings and inclinations within me so that my only fear will be that I fail to respect the holiness of Your Name.
(יב) אוֹדְךָ אֲדֹ־נָי אֱלֹקַי בְּכָל לְבָבִי
וַאֲכַבְּדָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם:
וַאֲכַבְּדָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם:
Then, with my heart completely focused, I will acknowledge and thank You, Hashem, my G-d, with all my heart — אוֹדְךָ אֲדֹ־נָי אֱלֹקַי בְּכָל לְבָבִי , and I will publicly give honor to Your Name forever — וַאֲכַבְּדָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם with clear and persuasive expositions of Your truth. I will work to match my qualities of character to Your example so that through my behavior honor will be given to Your Name.
(יג) כִּי חַסְדְּךָ גָּדוֹל עָלָי
וְהִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשְּׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיָּה:
וְהִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשְּׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיָּה:
For Your kindness toward me is great — כִּי חַסְדְּךָ גָּדוֹל עָלָי . Not only have You acted to save my body from the hands of my enemies by teachining me to repent my sins, You have rescued my soul from the deep grave — וְהִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשְּׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיָּה of death.
PART 4. PLEA FOR SURVIVAL.
(יד) אֱלֹקִים זֵדִים קָמוּ עָלַי
וַעֲדַת עָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁוּ נַפְשִׁי
וְלֹא שָׂמוּךָ לְנֶגְדָּם:
וַעֲדַת עָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁוּ נַפְשִׁי
וְלֹא שָׂמוּךָ לְנֶגְדָּם:
O G-d, wicked men have risen up against me — אֱלֹקִים זֵדִים קָמוּ עָלַי , although I did them no harm. A group of powerful, ruthless men has sought my soul — וַעֲדַת עָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁוּ נַפְשִׁי . Thinking You abandoned me, they felt free to attack, but they did not take You or Your truth into account in their misguided considerations — וְלֹא שָׂמוּךָ לְנֶגְדָּם .
(טו) וְאַתָּה אֲדֹ־נָי אֵ־ל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן
אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת:
אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת:
They forgot that You, Hashem, are mighty G-d — וְאַתָּה אֲדֹ־נָי אֵ־ל , the inexhaustible source of strength for all those that are weak. And they forgot that You are the merciful and compassionate — רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן , slow to anger — אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם , abundant in kindness and truth — וְרַב חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת . They forgot that You stand ready to forgive those who repent their sins.
(טז) פְּנֵה אֵלַי וְחָנֵּנִי
תְּנָה עֻזְּךָ לְעַבְדֶּךָ
וְהוֹשִׁיעָה לְבֶן אֲמָתֶךָ:
תְּנָה עֻזְּךָ לְעַבְדֶּךָ
וְהוֹשִׁיעָה לְבֶן אֲמָתֶךָ:
Turn to me now and have mercy on me — פְּנֵה אֵלַי וְחָנֵּנִי . Grant Your spiritual strength to enable Your servant — תְּנָה עֻזְּךָ לְעַבְדֶּךָ to persevere in Your service. Save the son of Your maidservant — וְהוֹשִׁיעָה לְבֶן אֲמָתֶךָ , the virtuous Jewish mother who sacrificed so much in her devotion to You.
(יז) עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי אוֹת לְטוֹבָה
וְיִרְאוּ שֹׂנְאַי וְיֵבֹשׁוּ
כִּי אַתָּה ה’ עֲזַרְתַּנִי וְנִחַמְתָּנִי:
וְיִרְאוּ שֹׂנְאַי וְיֵבֹשׁוּ
כִּי אַתָּה ה’ עֲזַרְתַּנִי וְנִחַמְתָּנִי:
Provide me with a sign for good — עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי אוֹת לְטוֹבָה ; so that my enemies may see it and be disappointed — וְיִרְאוּ שֹׂנְאַי וְיֵבֹשׁוּ that You, Hashem, have helped me — כִּי אַתָּה ה’ עֲזַרְתַּנִי against my enemies, that You have forgiven my sins and that You have given me comfort — וְנִחַמְתָּנִי .
Sources
The primary sources used in the interpretation of the verses in this mizmor are listed below.
א – רד”ק, אלשיך, המאירי, ספורנו, רשר”ה
ב – רשר”ה
ג – רד”ק, המאירי, נר לרגלי
ד- רש”י, רד”ק, נר לרגלי
ה – אבן עזרא, בן רמוך, רשר”ה
ו – רשר”ה, נר לרגלי
ז – אבן עזרא, רשר”ה
ח – רד”ק, בן רמוך
ט – רד”ק, נר לרגלי
י – רד”ק, מלבי”ם, אבן יחייא, רשר”ה
יא – רד”ק, מלבי”ם, המאירי, בן רמוך, רשר”ה
יב – רד”ק, בן רמוך,
יג – רש”י, רד”ק, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
יד – מצודות, רשר”ה, נר לרגלי
טו – רד”ק, בן רמוך, רשר”ה
טז – רשר”ה, דעת סופרים
יז – רש”י, מצודות, מלבי”ם, רשר”ה