Psalms 86:13 Meaning and Explanation
“For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's mercy is great, and He has rescued the psalmist from spiritual death.
The Context of Psalms 86:13
The psalmist recalls past deliverance as proof of God's saving mercy.
What Does Psalms 86:13 Mean?
The lowest hell (שְׁאוֹל, sheol) represents the realm of the dead, or metaphorically, the deepest despair and separation from life. The speaker recalls deliverance from this condition—whether past rescue or present consciousness of being drawn back from spiritual death and alienation.
The emphasis on mercy as the cause of deliverance refocuses the reader: what saves is not human effort or merit but God's abundant compassion. The past act of rescue becomes the ground for confidence in present petition.
Psalms 86:13 in the Original Language
sheol (שְׁאוֹל), 'hell' — the grave, depths, realm of the dead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 86:13
What does Psalms 86:13 mean?
God's mercy is great, and He has rescued the psalmist from spiritual death.
What is the context of Psalms 86:13?
The psalmist recalls past deliverance as proof of God's saving mercy.