(11) A reminiscence of older psalms. In addition to the marginal references, see Psalms 26:3.Unite my heart—i.e., unite all my powers and concentrate them on Thy service. No doubt with recollection of Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 10:12. Comp. also Jeremiah 32:39, on which apparently the expression is directly based. An undivided will is in morals and religion equally essential. read more
A Pattern of Prayer Psalms 86:1-5 The prayer that springs from a deep-felt need, and will not cease till that need is supplied, may say the same things over a hundred times, and yet they shall not be vain. I. The Invocations. In general, this Psalm is remarkable for its frequent use of the Divine names. In almost every verse they recur, and their frequency gives us a vivid impression of earnestness, of consciousness of need, and of faith so sore pressed that it could only sustain itself by... read more
Psalms 86:1-17THIS psalm is little more than a mosaic of quotations and familiar phrases of petition. But it is none the less individual, nor is the psalmist less heavily burdened, or less truly beseeching and trustful, because he casts his prayer into well-worn words. God does not give "originality" to every devout man; and He does not require it as a condition of accepted prayer. Humble souls, who find in more richly endowed men’s words the best expression of their own needs, may be... read more
Psalms 86:0 A Prayer 1. The prayer of the poor and needy one (Psalms 86:1-9 ) 2. The praise of His Name (Psalms 86:10-17 ) This Psalm has for an inscription “A prayer of David.” We can hear in it the voice of the Son of David, our Lord, pleading in the place of humiliation, and also the pleadings of the remnant saints. The prophetic element enters in with Psalms 86:9 . “All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before thee O Lord.” This will be the glorious result of His... read more
86:11 {h} Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.(h) He confesses himself ignorant till God has taught him, and his heart variable and separate from God, till God join it to him, and confirm it in his obedience. read more
The first psalm in this lesson suggests Psalms 74:0 on which we did not dwell, but both of which depict the desolations of Judah by the Babylonians (compare Jeremiah 52:12-14 ). On this supposition their date would be that of the captivity, and their author a later Asaph than the Asaph mentioned in David’s time. Psalms 80:0 Has captivity features also. Some would say it relates to the ten tribes, as the preceding psalm does to Judah. The next several psalms are much alike in this respect and... read more
While we look to Christ as our glorious Head, let us see our personal interest in him, and, by virtue of our union with him, take up this language. John 14:26 . read more
8-17 Our God alone possesses almighty power and infinite love. Christ is the way and the truth. And the believing soul will be more desirous to be taught the way and the truth. And the believing soul will be more desirous to be taught the way and the truth of God, in order to walk therein, than to be delivered out of earthly distress. Those who set not the Lord before them, seek after believers' souls; but the compassion, mercy, and truth of God, will be their refuge and consolation. And those... read more
David's Prayer in the Midst of Persecution. A prayer of David, the only hymn by the great king and prophet which was included by the collectors in this book of the psalter. We find here the same terms and phrases which are so familiar from the other psalms of David, particularly those written during the period of persecution. v. 1. Bow down Thine ear, in the attitude of the very closest attention, O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy. Cf Psalms 40:17. v. 2. Preserve my soul, in the... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 86:1-17
This is a Psalm of general supplication for help in trouble, and breathes a devout spirit of gratitude and confidence towards God. Specially remarkable is the hope of Psalms 86:9 that God will be universally worshipped. The Ps. is made up of quotations from other Pss. and portions of the OT., and is to be dated after the return from the exile.1. Hear] RV ’answer.’ Poor and needy] see Psalms 40:17; Psalms 70:5. 2. Preserve my soul, etc.] see Psalms 25:20. Holy] RV ’godly’; rather, ’one whom thou... read more