The remnant of the ten tribes is back in Israel (Psalm 84). Inner restoration has taken place (Psalm 85). This Psalm is the only psalm of David in the third book of Psalms. David, the man after God’s heart, is a type of the remnant of Israel who are now being tested. Psalm 86 shows us what takes place in their hearts during this particular time of tribulation. David is in great distress, he is "poor and needy" (v. 1) and lacks spiritual strength. In such a situation a person can do no better than turn to God. That is what David does. In his prayer, he turns to the "LORD". With this he appeals to the faithfulness of God to His covenant with him.
He asks for the preservation of his soul, that is of his life. His pleading ground is who he is before God: "for I am holy" (v. 2). "Godly man" in Hebrew is chasid, which means one who is faithful to the covenant, which is "when I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). It is one who takes refuge in the blood of the Lamb of God, pointing to the New Covenant, the blood of Christ. And on that basis "thy servant that trusteth in thee" (v. 2). That is the pleading ground of the Psalmist. It is not about merit, but about what is the basis of the relationship.
The Psalmist prays to be Heard and Answered and for his Life to be Preserved because of his Need (v. 1), his Devotion and Trust (v. 2), his Pleading (v. 3~4), The Lord's Goodness (v. 5), and the LORD's Incomparable Character (v. 6) and Works (v. 8); which are So Great that All Nations will Come and Worship (v. 9~10). Pleading for Guidance, he Promises Praise (v. 11~12) and reflects on a Past Rescue of His Life (v. 13), which (life) seems to be Again in Danger from Insolent Foes (v. 14): in view of whom he Pleads the Character of The Lord God (v. 15). He prays for Favour, Strength and Salvation, in view of his own Devotion and that of his Mother (v. 16); asking for Such a Token as shall Shame his Enemies (v. 17).
A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Psalms 86:2
Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
Psalms 86:3
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
Psalms 86:4
Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Psalms 86:5
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Psalms 86:6
Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
Psalms 86:7
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
Psalms 86:8
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
Psalms 86:9
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
Psalms 86:10
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
Psalms 86:11
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Psalms 86:12
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
Psalms 86:13
For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
Psalms 86:14
O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
Psalms 86:15
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Psalms 86:16
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
Psalms 86:17
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.
Presented to us in this Psalm is a succession of invocations and entreaties to God, supporting themselves on one hand upon the need of the suppliant and His covenant relation, and on the other upon God’s compassion and accessibility (86:1~7).
His prayer is marked by great insistence:
v1
O LORD, hear me:
for
I am poor and needy.
v2
Preserve my soul;
for
I am holy [that trusteth in thee]
v 3
Be merciful unto me, O Lord:
for
I cry unto thee daily
v4
Rejoice the soul of thy servant:
for
unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Up to this point the psalmist has prayed on the basis of his condition (afflicted and needy 86:1), because he was a godly man (v. 2), because he trusted in the LORD as a servant (v. 2), because he calls out to the LORD all day long (v 3). In 86:5 he gives a reason beyond himself: he prays on the basis of Who the LORD Himself is, namely that He is abundant in lovingkindness (chesed = covenant faithfulness).
Urging a petition upon the ground of some known fact.
Petition
Because
Fact
hear; preserve; be merciful; Rejoice the soul
For
thou, Lord, art good, ready to forgive
O LORD ... I will call upon thee:
for
thou wilt answer me
O LORD ...thou wilt answer me.
For
thou art great, and doest wondrous things
Teach me .. O LORD .. unite my heart ..O Lord my God
For
great is thy mercy toward me
Shew me a token for good;
because
thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me
turn .. have mercy .. give thy strength..
because
thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me
David asks the "Lord - Adonai", to "Be merciful" to him (v. 3). He addresses God seven times in his prayer with Adonai (v. 3; 4; 5; 8; 9; 12; 15). This word is contrasted with "servant" (v. 2). A servant serves his master and commander (Lord - Adonai), while also being able to count on the protection of his master. The Lord, Adonai, is good to His servants. God - Elohim, is good toward His creatures. The LORD, YHVH, the God of the covenant and faithfulness to it, is good toward His godly ones.
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