1 A Prayer of David. Incline, O Jehovah, Thine ear, Answer me, for I `am' poor and needy.
2 Keep my soul, for I `am' pious, Save Thy servant -- who is trusting to Thee, O Thou, my God.
3 Favour me, O Lord, for to Thee I call all the day.
4 Rejoice the soul of Thy servant, For unto Thee, O Lord, my soul I lift up.
5 For Thou, Lord, `art' good and forgiving. And abundant in kindness to all calling Thee.
6 Hear, O Jehovah, my prayer, And attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In a day of my distress I call Thee, For Thou dost answer me.
8 There is none like Thee among the gods, O Lord, And like Thy works there are none.
9 All nations that Thou hast made Come and bow themselves before Thee, O Lord, And give honour to Thy name.
10 For great `art' Thou, and doing wonders, Thou `art' God Thyself alone.
11 Show me, O Jehovah, Thy way, I walk in Thy truth, My heart doth rejoice to fear Thy name.
12 I confess Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I honour Thy name to the age.
13 For Thy kindness `is' great toward me, And Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
14 O God, the proud have risen up against me, And a company of the terrible sought my soul, And have not placed Thee before them,
15 And Thou, O Lord, `art' God, merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth.
16 Look unto me, and favour me, Give Thy strength to Thy servant, And give salvation to a son of Thine handmaid.
17 Do with me a sign for good, And those hating me see and are ashamed, For Thou, O Jehovah, hast helped me, Yea, Thou hast comforted me!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 86
Commentary on Psalms 86 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 86
Ps 86:1-17. This is a prayer in which the writer, with deep emotion, mingles petitions and praises, now urgent for help, and now elated with hope, in view of former mercies. The occurrence of many terms and phrases peculiar to David's Psalms clearly intimates its authorship.
1, 2. poor and needy—a suffering child of God, as in Ps 10:12, 17; 18:27.
I am holy—or, "godly," as in Ps 4:3; 85:8.
4. lift up my soul—with strong desire (Ps 25:1).
5-7. unto all … that call upon thee—or, "worship Thee" (Ps 50:15; 91:15) however undeserving (Ex 34:6; Le 11:9-13).
8. neither … works—literally, "nothing like thy works," the "gods" have none at all.
9, 10. The pious Jews believed that God's common relation to all would be ultimately acknowledged by all men (Ps 45:12-16; 47:9).
11. Teach—Show, point out.
the way—of Providence.
walk in thy truth—according to its declarations.
unite my heart—fix all my affections (Ps 12:2; Jas 4:8).
to fear thy name—(compare Ps 86:12) to honor Thy perfections.
13, 14. The reason: God had delivered him from death and the power of insolent, violent, and godless persecutors (Ps 54:3; Eze 8:12).
15. Contrasts God with his enemies (compare Ps 86:5).
16. son … handmaid—homeborn servant (compare Lu 15:17).
17. Show me—literally, "Make with me a token," by Thy providential care. Thus in and by his prosperity his enemies would be confounded.