Psalms 86:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God to instruct him and make his heart single in devoted fear.
The Context of Psalms 86:11
The prayer shifts from petition for help to petition for spiritual transformation.
What Does Psalms 86:11 Mean?
Teach me thy way moves from asking for rescue to asking for guidance. The speaker recognizes that protection comes not only through divine intervention but through alignment with God's purposes. Walking in God's truth means living according to His revealed character and will.
Unite my heart to fear thy name reveals a fragmentary spiritual condition: the heart is divided, lacking wholeness. The request is for integration—for the divided parts of the self to gather into a unified stance of reverence and obedience toward God. Fear (יִרְאָה, yirah) means awe and respect, not terror.
Psalms 86:11 in the Original Language
yirah (יִרְאָה), 'fear' — awe, reverence, devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 86:11
What does Psalms 86:11 mean?
The psalmist asks God to instruct him and make his heart single in devoted fear.
What is the context of Psalms 86:11?
The prayer shifts from petition for help to petition for spiritual transformation.