Psalm 86:1-2 Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
Although David was king and subsequently wealthy, before God he considered himself poor and needy. In such a state of need he responds with prayer for the Lord to hear him. He has been convicted by the Word of his own spiritual condition of sin, weakness and wretchedness. He recognizes that a merciful and caring God is his only hope, so he asks the Lord to hear his prayer and see his need. So also for us: we are beaten down by sin and guilt, and we pray for mercy. God hears us because of Christ.
We ask Him to preserve our soul, our whole self, mind, will, and emotions, for we are fragmenting and breaking apart under the burden of sin, death and the devil. We come broken to Jesus who puts us together and holds us together.
We trust Him to save us and do all the work of salvation and to make us holy through the blood of Christ, and make us worthy to be rescued.