Psalms 86:1-17 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

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Bible Comments

Title. A prayer of David. All antiquity, and all the versions, support this title.

Psalms 86:2. I am holy, I have not done any wrong to Saul, nor to Absalom, nor indeed to any of the families which have followed the house of Saul. Having received a special anointing, he was “holy;” and it was David's great concern to live in holy communion and fellowship with God.

Psalms 86:8. Among the gods, the kings and princes of the gentiles, there is none like thee. I therefore seek help from thee alone, and not from alliances with the heathen. David believed, as in Psalms 86:9, that all those princes and nations should come and worship before the Lord.

REFLECTIONS.

This psalm was written under Saul's persecution, or some revolt of wicked men; but the substance of it will be found comprised in many of the preseding psalms. David's asking a token for good, Psalms 86:17, may imply some outward help of providence, connected with inward comfort in devotion; for divine comfort assures us of pardon, prompts us to duty, and supports us in the day of trouble. Let us here learn the true way of approaching God in our griefs; for he is full of compassion, and there is none like him among the gods whom the gentiles adore.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 86:1

Psalms 86:1-17

1 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy:a O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.b

4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.c

14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violentd men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.