“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” (Psalm 86:5 KJV)
Psalm 86:5 KJV gives us a clear and steady picture of who God is. In a world where forgiveness is often conditional and mercy is limited, this verse stands firm. It tells us that the Lord is good, ready to forgive, and overflowing with mercy. Those three truths shape how we approach Him daily. They also shape how we understand grace.
David wrote Psalm 86 during a time of need. He was not speaking from comfort but from pressure. Yet even in distress, he focused on the character of God. That focus matters. When life becomes heavy, we tend to focus on our failures or our fears. However, Psalm 86:5 redirects our attention. It reminds us that God’s goodness is not affected by our weakness.
The phrase “ready to forgive” carries weight. It means forgiveness is not reluctant. It is prepared. It is available. In addition, the verse says God is “plenteous in mercy.” That word plenteous signals abundance. There is no shortage in heaven’s supply of mercy.
🔥 What Does Psalm 86:5 Mean for Us Today?
Psalm 86:5 KJV reveals deep theological truth, yet it also speaks to everyday life. First, it establishes that God is inherently good. His goodness is not seasonal. It is not dependent on human behavior. It is part of His eternal nature. Because He is good, His forgiveness flows naturally from who He is.
Second, the verse emphasizes readiness. God does not hesitate when a repentant heart calls on Him. While we often delay confession due to pride or shame, the Lord does not delay mercy. This readiness shows divine willingness. It shows compassion. It shows grace that moves toward the sinner instead of away.
Third, the phrase “plenteous in mercy” highlights abundance. God’s mercy is not measured out sparingly. It is poured out generously. Lamentations 3:22–23 confirms this truth: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed… They are new every morning.” Mercy renews daily because God’s nature does not change.
Finally, the promise is directed “unto all them that call upon thee.” Calling requires humility. It requires action. Forgiveness is available, but it must be received through sincere prayer and repentance. That balance keeps this verse powerful and practical.
🛠 Real Life Stories That People Can Relate To
Consider someone carrying private guilt. Perhaps they damaged a relationship through harsh words. Perhaps they made a financial mistake that affects their family. Over time, regret settles in. Instead of turning to God, they withdraw. They assume disappointment awaits them.
Then they read Psalm 86:5 KJV.
Suddenly, the focus shifts. Instead of dwelling on failure, they see God’s goodness. Instead of expecting rejection, they see readiness. That truth changes their posture. They pray honestly. They confess fully. They stop hiding.
The external situation may still require rebuilding. However, something internal changes immediately. Peace replaces panic. Hope replaces shame. The heart is restored before the circumstances are resolved. That is the power of understanding that God is ready to forgive.
📝 Lessons
- Psalm 86:5 teaches that forgiveness begins with God’s character, not our performance. His goodness anchors His mercy. That truth builds confidence in prayer.
- It also teaches that mercy is abundant. We do not approach a limited supply. We approach a plenteous fountain. Therefore, repeated failure does not exhaust divine compassion when repentance is genuine.
- Finally, the verse teaches responsibility. We must call upon Him. Silence keeps distance. Pride prolongs struggle. Humility opens the door to grace.
💭 Reflections
Reflect carefully on your current walk. Is there an area where shame has kept you silent before God? Are you assuming that repeated mistakes have reduced His willingness to forgive?
Psalm 86:5 KJV directly challenges those assumptions. God’s readiness has not diminished. His mercy has not dried up. However, He invites you to call. He invites you to speak honestly. He invites you to return.
Hebrews 4:16 reinforces this invitation: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Boldly does not mean arrogantly. It means confidently in His character.
🤠 The Big Takeaway
Psalm 86:5 KJV is not just encouragement. It is doctrine. It defines God’s nature clearly and firmly. He is good. He is ready to forgive. He is plenteous in mercy. Those truths remove fear from repentance.
On the hard days, remember this verse. When guilt whispers that you should stay distant, answer with Scripture. When shame tells you to hide, respond with prayer. Calling upon the Lord is not weakness. It is wisdom.
Mercy is not scarce. Forgiveness is not reluctant. God’s goodness remains steady. That is solid ground for every believer walking the daily trail of faith.
📚 Further Reading
Visit our Scripture Section for more Bible-based reflections.
🔗 Explore Parables of Jesus from the Gospels
🔗 Learn about mercy in our Bible Verses section
🔗 Read the Word of God the Christian Cowboy way
🔗 Meet the heroes of faith in our Cloud of Witnesses
🔗 Study God’s moral law in the Ten Commandments section
🔗 Stand firm in spiritual battles with our Armor of God teaching