Psalms 86
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the forty-sixth [see on Psa 46:1, title]. The writer celebrates the glory of the Church, as the means of spiritual blessing to the nation. (Psa 87:1-7) His--that is, God's foundation--or, what He has founded, that is, Zion (Isa 14:32). is in the holy mountains--the location of Zion, in the wide sense, for the capital, or Jerusalem, being on several hills.
Open source ↗Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me,.... This is spoken of God after the manner of men, who, when they listen and attentively hearken to what is said to them, stoop and bow the head, and incline the ear; and it denotes condescension in the Lord, who humbles himself as to look upon men, so to bow down the ear and hearken to them: this favour is granted to the saints, to whom he is a God hearing and answering prayer, and which Christ, as man and Mediator, enjoyed; see Heb 5:7, for I am poor and needy; weak and feeble, destitute and distressed, and so wanted help and assistance; and which carries in it an argument or reason enforcing the above petition; for the Lord has a regard to the poor and needy; see Psa 6:2. This may be understood literally, it being the common case of the people of God, who are generally the poor and needy of this world, whom God chooses, calls, and makes his own; and so was David when he fled from Saul, being often in want of temporal mercies, as appears by his application to Ahimelech and Nabal for food; and having nothing, as Kimchi observes, to support him, but what his friends, and the men of Judah, privately helped him to; and the character well agrees with Christ, whose case this was; see Co2 8:9. Moreover, it may be taken in a spiritual sense; all men are poor and needy, though not sensible of it; good men are poor in spirit, are sensible of their spiritual poverty, and apply to the Lord, and to the throne of his grace, for the supply of their need; and such an one was David, even when he was king of Israel, as well as at this time, Psa 40:17, and may be applied to Christ; especially when destitute of his Father's gracious presence, and was forsaken by him and all his friends, Mat 27:46.
Open source ↗The prayer to be heard runs like Psa 55:3; and the statement of the ground on which it is based, Psa 86:1, word for word like Ps 40:18. It is then particularly expressed as a prayer for preservation (שׁמרה, as in Psa 119:167, although imperative, to be read shāmerah; cf. Psa 30:4 מיּרדי, Psa 38:21 רדפי or רדפי, and what we have already observed on Psa 16:1 שׁמרני); for he is not only in need of God's help, but also because חסיד (Psa 4:4; Psa 16:10), i.e., united to Him in the bond of affection (חסד, Hos 6:4; Jer 2:2), not unworthy of it. In Psa 86:2 we hear the strains of Psa 25:20; Psa 31:7; in Psa 86:3, of Psa 57:2.: the confirmation in Psa 86:4 is taken verbally from Psa 25:1, cf. also Psa 130:6. Here, what is said in Psa 86:4 of this shorter Adonajic Psalm, Psa 130:1-8, is abbreviated in the ἅπαξ γεγραμ. סלּח (root סל, של, to allow to hang loose, χαλᾶν, to give up, remittere). The Lord is good (טּוב), i.e., altogether love, and for this very reason also ready to forgive, and great and rich in mercy for all who call upon Him as such. The beginning of the following group also accords with Psa 130:1-8 in Psa 86:2.
Open source ↗This psalm was published under the title of a prayer of David; not as if David sung all his prayers, but into some of his songs he inserted prayers; for a psalm will admit the expressions of any pious and devout affections. But it is observable how very plain the language of this psalm is, and how little there is in it of poetic flights or figures, in comparison with some other psalms; for the flourishes of wit are not the proper ornaments of prayer. Now here we may observe, I. The petitions he puts up to God. It is true, prayer accidentally may preach, but it is most fit that (as it is in this prayer) every passage should be directed to God, for such is the nature of prayer as it is here described (Psa 86:4): Unto thee, O Lord! do I lift up my soul, as he had said Psa 25:1. In all the parts of prayer the soul must ascend upon the wings of faith and holy desire, and be lifted up to God, to meet the communications of his grace, and in an expectation raised very high of great things from him. 1. He begs that God would give a gracious audience to his prayers (Psa 86:1): Bow down thy ear, O Lord! hear me. When God hears our prayers it is fitly said that he bows down his ear to them, for it is admirable condescension in God that he is pleased to take notice of such mean creatures as we are and such defective prayers as ours are. He repeats this again (Psa 86:6): "Give ear, O Lord! unto my prayer, a favourable ear, though it be whispered, though it be stammered; attend to the voice of my supplications." Not that God needs to have his affection stirred up by any thing that we can say; but thus we must express our desire of his favour. The Son of David spoke it with assurance and pleasure (Joh 11:41, Joh 11:42), Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me; and I know that thou…
Open source ↗Ps 86 The psalmist invokes God’s help and praises his character in a lament prompted by the presence of evil (86:14, 17). All people will worship the gracious and almighty God (86:8-10). To this end, the poet commits himself to a lifestyle of ethical integrity (86:11) and praising the Lord (86:12-13). The last stanza contrasts the qualities of evil people with those of the Lord (86:14-17). 86:title This is the only psalm connected with David in Book Three. 86:1-4 God’s devoted servant prays for mercy. The psalmist sees himself as a member of the covenant community and as a citizen of the world.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… חָסִיד (châçîyd, H2623) — properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a saint) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
Open source ↗חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Open source ↗אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… סַלָּח (çallâch, H5546) — placable רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of…
Open source ↗אָזַן (ʼâzan, H238) — to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn קָשַׁב (qâshab, H7181) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound תַּחֲנוּן (tachănûwn, H8469) — earnest prayer
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צָרָה (tsârâh, H6869) — tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival: קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,…
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application פָּלָא (pâlâʼ, H6381) — properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יָרָה (yârâh, H3384) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness יָחַד (yâchad, H3161) — to be (or become) one לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… תַּחְתִּי (tachtîy, H8482) — lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb) שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… זֵד (zêd, H2086) — arrogant קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) עָרִיץ (ʻârîyts, H6184) — fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.
But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.
Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.
Remove my scorn and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.