Psalm Eighty Six

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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A Prayer of David.

A Prayer of David. This is the second of only three psalms with the superscript, “A Prayer of David” (also Psalms 17, 142), although many of David's psalms include prayers. There are about fourteen specific prayer requests in Psalm 86.

Psalm 86:1 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

Psalm 86:2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

Psalm 86:3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Psalm 86:4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Psalm 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Psalm 86:6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

Psalm 86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Psalm 86:8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Psalm 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

Psalm 86:10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Psalm 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Psalm 86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

the lowest hell. Note also Deuteronomy 32:22. David realized he was a sinner deserving of being sent into the “depths of Sheol,” but God's mercy had saved him (Psalm 86:17).

Psalm 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.

Psalm 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Psalm 86:16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Psalm 86:17 Show 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.