13 For Thy kindness `is' great toward me, And Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
Merciful and gracious `is' Jehovah, Slow to anger, and abundant in mercy. Not for ever doth He strive, Nor to the age doth He watch. Not according to our sins hath He done to us, Nor according to our iniquities Hath He conferred benefits upon us. For, as the height of the heavens `is' above the earth, His kindness hath been mighty over those fearing Him. As the distance of east from west He hath put far from us our transgressions.
When Thou dost cast me `into' the deep, Into the heart of the seas, Then the flood doth compass me, All Thy breakers and Thy billows have passed over me. And I -- I said: I have been cast out from before Thine eyes, (Yet I add to look unto Thy holy temple!) Compassed me have waters unto the soul, The deep doth compass me, The weed is bound to my head. To the cuttings of mountains I have come down, The earth, her bars `are' behind me to the age. And Thou bringest up from the pit my life, O Jehovah my God.
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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.