For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The original Hebrew word translated "ready to forgive" here appears only once in the entire Old Testament, hinting that God's readiness to forgive isn't just a minor trait, but a distinct and profound aspect of His character that the psalmist is highlighting. This unique word emphasizes a willingness to "remit" or overlook, suggesting God actively sets aside our debts when we call on Him.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist, in distress and feeling his own weakness, has poured out his needs and his plea for help. Now, he shifts from his own desperate situation to God's inherent nature, highlighting God's goodness, willingness to forgive even when the person calling on Him might be undeserving or even guilty, and His abundant steadfast love available to all who reach out to Him. This appeal to God's character serves as a powerful foundation for the prayer, aiming to secure God's attention and favor.
When life feels overwhelming and our own failings are obvious, where do we turn? David doesn't just list his problems; he reminds God of Who God is.
In Psalm 86:5, David shifts from declaring his needs to asserting God's character as the basis for his plea. He's not trying to convince God to act; he's reminding God of His inherent goodness and His established way of interacting with His people.
The Power of Divine Nature
This isn't just flattery; it's a profound theological move. David is anchoring his prayer in the unchanging nature of God. He knows that God's goodness isn't conditional on David's performance, but is an intrinsic part of who God is. This is the ultimate reason for hope: God is good, therefore He will act for good.
The Bible uses a special word here for 'forgiving.' It’s not just that God can forgive, but that it’s a defining characteristic, a readiness to let go of offenses.
The Hebrew word translated as 'ready to forgive' in this verse is unique, appearing only here in this specific form. While other words for forgiveness exist, this one emphasizes God’s disposition – His eagerness and willingness to remit debts and release people from their wrongdoing.
More Than Just Pardon
This isn't passive tolerance, nor is it simply a legal transaction. It speaks to a 'considering human weakness' aspect, as some ancient translations suggest. God's forgiveness isn't reluctant; it's a proactive attribute. He is inherently inclined to forgive those who turn to Him, making forgiveness a readily available response to His people's needs.
Ask a follow-up
Who gets to experience God's abundant love? The verse is clear: 'all who call upon you.' But what does this 'steadfast love' really mean for us today?
The phrase 'steadfast love' translates a rich Hebrew term that signifies a deep, loyal, and covenantal love. It’s a love that is unwavering, committed, and enduring, not based on fleeting emotions but on God's enduring faithfulness.
Love That Responds
Crucially, this abundant love is directed towards 'all who call upon you.' This isn't a blanket, indiscriminate love that ignores sin, but a love that is actively bestowed upon those who turn to God in prayer and reliance. It's a responsive love, available to anyone who genuinely seeks Him. This means God's immense, faithful love isn't reserved for a select few, but is freely offered to all who will simply call out to Him.
Understand the original words
towb · Hebrew Adjective
The quality of being inherently virtuous, morally excellent, and beneficial; often used to describe God's nature as the source of all that is right and good.
sallach · Hebrew Adjective
Describes God's willingness to pardon sin and remove the guilt of those who repent, showing that He is not easily provoked to wrath.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A rich Hebrew term encompassing covenant faithfulness, loyal love, kindness, and mercy that God consistently shows to His people.
This passage directly echoes Psalm 86:5, as God Himself proclaims His character as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, and forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. It shows the foundational description of God's nature that the psalmist is referencing.
Joel 2:13This verse uses nearly identical language, 'gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love,' to describe God's readiness to turn from disaster when His people repent. It highlights God's merciful response to those who humbly call upon Him.
Romans 5:8Paul writes that 'God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' This powerfully illustrates God's goodness and forgiving nature, demonstrating His abounding love even before we actively called upon Him.
1 John 1:9This verse is a direct promise: 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' It underscores God's readiness to forgive those who acknowledge their need and call out to Him in confession.
Matthew 11:28Jesus invites, 'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' This reflects the goodness of God, offering solace and forgiveness to all who approach Him with their burdens, just as Psalm 86:5 promises His abundant love to all who call upon Him.
pulpitPsalms 86:5: "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."
Verse 5. - For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive. The word translated "ready to forgive," סַלָח, occurs here only; but the context sufficiently fixes its meaning, which is well expressed by the ἐπιεικὴς of the LXX. As God was "good" and "forgiving," he would be likely to grant the petitions just addressed to him. And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon th…
ellicottPsalms 86:5: "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."
(5) For thou. —Up to this time the psalmist has only put forward his needs in various aspects as a plea for God’s compassion. Now, not without art, he clenches his petition by an appeal to the nature itself of the Divine Being. The originals of the expressions in this verse will be found in Exodus 20:6 ; Exodus 34:6-9 ; Numbers 14:18-19 . Ready to forgive.—The Hebrew word occ…
The original Hebrew word translated "ready to forgive" here appears only once in the entire Old Testament, hinting that God's readiness to forgive isn't just a minor trait, but a distinct and profound aspect of His character that the psalmist is highlighting. This unique word emphasizes a willingness to "remit" or overlook, suggesting God actively sets aside our debts when we call on Him.
The psalmist, in distress and feeling his own weakness, has poured out his needs and his plea for help. Now, he shifts from his own desperate situation to God's inherent nature, highlighting God's goodness, willingness to forgive even when the person calling on Him might be undeserving or even guilty, and His abundant steadfast love available to all who reach out to Him. This appeal to God's character serves as a powerful foundation for the prayer, aiming to secure God's attention and favor.
The psalmist, in distress and feeling his own weakness, has poured out his needs and his plea for help. Now, he shifts from his own desperate situation to God's inherent nature, highlighting God's goodness, willingness to forgive even when the person calling on Him might be undeserving or even guilty, and His abundant steadfast love available to all who reach out to Him. This appeal to God's character serves as a powerful foundation for the prayer, aiming to secure God's attention and favor.
"For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." — The original Hebrew word translated "ready to forgive" here appears only once in the entire Old Testament, hinting that God's readiness to forgive isn't just a minor trait, but a distinct and profoun…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026