Psalms 85–86 - Pleading for God's mercy, salvation, and guidance, and trusting in His goodness.
Here is your daily devotional for Monday, September 8, 2026.
Today, as we delve into Psalms 85 and 86, we focus on pleading for God's mercy, salvation, and guidance, and trusting in His goodness. These psalms powerfully articulate a yearning for divine intervention and a steadfast reliance on the Lord's character.
For our devotional source today, I first checked rsc.byu.edu and josephsmithpapers.org. While the Joseph Smith Papers did not have a direct entry for these specific psalms, the BYU Religious Studies Center provided a valuable resource on the broader themes of seeking the Lord. The article "Seeking the Lord" by Stephen L. Heath, published in Go Ye Therefore and Teach: Teaching the Gospel in the Home and Classroom, discusses the importance of actively seeking God's presence and direction in our lives. It highlights that prophets throughout scripture have emphasized diligently seeking the Lord, often in a spirit of humility and repentance, much like the psalmist does in Psalms 85 and 86. The author explains that this seeking involves both a longing for God and an effort to live righteously, leading to greater understanding and a closer relationship with Him. You can find this article at https://rsc.byu.edu/go-ye-therefore-teach-teaching-gospel-home-classroom/seeking-lord.
In Psalms 85, the psalmist expresses hope for the restoration of Zion, recalling God's past mercies and pleading for a renewal of His favor: "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" (Psalm 85:6 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/85?lang=eng]). This reflects a collective yearning for God's redemptive power. Psalm 86 is a deeply personal prayer of David, who entreats the Lord for help, guidance, and deliverance: "Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy." (Psalm 86:1 [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/86?lang=eng]). He declares his trust in God's goodness and mercy, seeking comfort and strength in times of trouble. Throughout both psalms, there is an unwavering belief in God's capacity to forgive, restore, and guide.
One analytical question this article raises is: How does the act of "seeking the Lord" in our daily lives—as discussed by Stephen L. Heath—directly connect with the psalmist's pleas for mercy, salvation, and guidance in Psalms 85 and 86?
As you reflect on today's devotional, consider your morning intention to intentionally remember the Lord's miracles in your life and declare His goodness, strengthening your own covenant path and inspiring those who follow. How might actively seeking the Lord, as described in the article and demonstrated by the psalmist, help you more readily recognize and declare those miracles, thereby strengthening your covenant path and inspiring others?
References
1. Heath, Stephen L. "Seeking the Lord." Go Ye Therefore and Teach: Teaching the Gospel in the Home and Classroom. BYU Religious Studies Center, 2018. https://rsc.byu.edu/go-ye-therefore-teach-teaching-gospel-home-classroom/seeking-lord
2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Psalms 85." Gospel Library. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/85?lang=eng
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Psalms 86." Gospel Library. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/86?lang=eng