Bible Commentaries
Psalms 86

Introduction

PSALM 86

:-. 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.

Verse 1

1, 2. poor and needy—a suffering child of God, as in Psalms 10:12; Psalms 10:17; Psalms 18:27.

I am holy—or, "godly," as in Psalms 4:3; Psalms 85:8.

Verse 4

4. lift up my soul—with strong desire (Psalms 25:1).

Verse 5

5-7. unto all . . . that call upon thee—or, "worship Thee" (Psalms 50:15; Psalms 91:15) however undeserving (Exodus 34:6; Leviticus 11:9-13).

Verse 8

8. neither . . . works—literally, "nothing like thy works," the "gods" have none at all.

Verse 9

9, 10. The pious Jews believed that God's common relation to all would be ultimately acknowledged by all men (Psalms 45:12-16; Psalms 47:9).

Verse 11

11. Teach—Show, point out.

the way—of Providence.

walk in thy truth—according to its declarations.

unite my heart—fix all my affections (Psalms 12:2; James 4:8).

to fear thy name—(compare Psalms 86:12) to honor Thy perfections.

Verse 13

13, 14. The reason: God had delivered him from death and the power of insolent, violent, and godless persecutors (Psalms 54:3; Ezekiel 8:12).

Verse 15

15. Contrasts God with his enemies (compare Psalms 86:5).

Verse 16

16. son . . . handmaid—homeborn servant (compare Luke 15:17).

Verse 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.