Psalms – Chapter 86

Old Testament • 7 Verses

Chapter Summary

"For the sons of Core, a psalm of a canticle. The foundations thereof are the holy mountains:" — so begins Psalms 86. The chapter centers on Jacob and Rahab. Across its 7 verses, two threads run through the text: love and charity and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1For the sons of Core, a psalm of a canticle. The foundations thereof are the holy mountains:

2The Lord loveth the gates of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.

3Glorious things are said of thee, O city of God.

4I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon knowing me. Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, these were there.

5Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her? and the Highest himself hath founded her.

6The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, of them that have been in her.

7The dwelling in thee is as it were of all rejoicing.

Important Verses in Psalms 86

“For the sons of Core, a psalm of a canticle. The foundations thereof are the holy mountains:”

Psalms 86:1

“The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, of them that have been in her.”

Psalms 86:6

Historical Context

Psalms belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for god's people at prayer in every age. Chapter 86 of 150 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 7 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Jacob and Rahab, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "For the sons of Core, a psalm of a canticle. The foundations thereof are the holy mountains:" The final verse reads: "The dwelling in thee is as it were of all rejoicing. " The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

This psalm is a prayer-poem that Israel sang in Temple worship and private devotion. A pivotal line is verse 1: "For the sons of Core, a psalm of a canticle. The foundations thereof are the holy mountains:" The passage repeatedly touches on love and charity.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 74).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.

People in This Chapter

Jacob1 mentionRahab1 mention

Reflection for Today

The central section of Psalms—Chapter 86 of 150—opens a particular moment in the story of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God.

According to Catholic teaching, the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). This chapter especially highlights care for the poor and vulnerable, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 113).

May your reading of Psalms Chapter 86 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 86 about?

Psalms 86 contains 7 verses. It opens with "For the sons of Core, a psalm of a canticle. The foundations thereof are the holy mountains:" and closes with "The dwelling in thee is as it were of all rejoicing. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 86?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "For the sons of Core, a psalm of a canticle. The foundations thereof are the holy mountains:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 86?

This chapter mentions Jacob, Rahab.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

Isaiah 29Shares people and themes with this chapterMalachi 1Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Maccabees 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love🙏Litany of the Sacred Heart🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

Deepen your understanding with these related articles

How to Pray

Hope Prayer: Catholic Faith Trust in God During Difficult Times

10 min readRead article
How to Pray

Intercessory Prayer and Divine Mercy: A Catholic Perspective

11 min readRead article
Bible & Faith

How to Use Faith to Embrace God's Mercy and Forgiveness

7 min readRead article
Explore All Articles