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!
And Thou, Jehovah, favour me, And cause me to rise, And I give recompence to them. By this I have known, That Thou hast delighted in me, Because my enemy shouteth not over me.
Because Thou hast showed me many and sad distresses, Thou turnest back -- Thou revivest me, And from the depths of the earth, Thou turnest back -- Thou bringest me up. Thou dost increase my greatness, And Thou surroundest -- Thou comfortest me,
Cast me not off at the time of old age, According to the consumption of my power forsake me not. For mine enemies have spoken against me, And those watching my soul have taken counsel together, Saying, `God hath forsaken him, Pursue and catch him, for there is no deliverer.' O God, be not far from me, O my God, for my help make haste. They are ashamed, they are consumed, Who are opposing my soul, They are covered `with' reproach and blushing, Who are seeking my evil,
Thou dost not rejoice over me, O mine enemy, When I have fallen, I have risen, When I sit in darkness Jehovah is a light to me. The indignation of Jehovah I do bear, For I have sinned against Him, Till that He doth plead my cause, And hath executed my judgment, He doth bring me forth to the light, I look on His righteousness. And see doth mine enemy, And cover her doth shame, Who saith unto me, `Where `is' Jehovah thy God?' Mine eyes do look on her, Now she is for a treading-place, As mire of the out-places.
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.