Psalms 86:5
“For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.”
What does Psalms 86:5 mean?
God's character is fundamentally generous and forgiving, not grudging or distant. When you call out to him, you're not bothering someone who resents you or keeps a careful scorecard of your failures, but rather approaching someone whose default posture is kindness and mercy. The psalmist is reminding us that forgiveness isn't something we have to twist God's arm to get, or something we earn through perfect behavior, but rather it flows naturally from who he is. This is especially comforting when you're carrying shame or regret, because it means the barrier isn't God's unwillingness to forgive you, but simply whether you're willing to turn toward him and ask.