Psalm 86
This psalm was written over 3,000 years ago by King David, yet it meets the needs of modern believers who are going though trials, afflictions, and persecution. For the psalm is a prayer to God asking Him to help and preserve the soul of those who trust in Him.
This psalm was written over 3,000 years ago by King David, yet it meets the needs of modern believers who are going though trials, afflictions, and persecution.
David is pointing to the holiness that results from faith in the Messiah’s salvation.
The second section (verses 3 to 7) appeals to God on the basis of His mercy, setting aside all claims of merit with God. David’s anguish is found in the words “I cry unto You daily” and “to You I lift up my soul.” The believer can expect to rejoice in God’s help and answer to prayer because He is good and ready to forgive every sin. Because of God’s mercy, David returns to his prayer that God attend to his urgent pleadings. He confidently declares that God will answer him in the time of need—either causing the trouble to go away or giving him the strength to bear under it in submission to God’s loving will.
Section three (verses 8 to 10) praises the true God for His mighty works. For no other god invented by man has done the works of the living God of Israel. David declares that God has made all the nations and that people from them will come and worship Him and the Messiah. They shall praise His name for the salvation which the Messiah will win for them. Only one God exists, the God who created all things and redeemed all people.
In section four (verses 11 to 13), David requests that God teach him His way of mercy and truth so that he may trust in God’s covenant of forgiveness and live according to His holy will. David declares that he will glorify God all his life, the reaction of believers to God’s forgiveness and mercy. For God has already delivered him and us from hell.
In section five (verses 14 to 17), David presents his troubles to the Lord God. Violent men have assembled against David. They have purposely turned away from God lest they be kept from their wickedness. In contrast to the cruelty of wicked men, God is full of compassion and long-suffering to those who trust in Him. Because of His kindness, David asks God to turn to him, asking for strength to withstand temptation. David calls himself a servant of God, who by faith in the Messiah possesses the blessings of God. He asks for a token, evidence of God’s favor, so that his enemies will not gloat over him, but be ashamed for their wicked behavior.
All believers may ask God to bend close to the earth to hear their prayers in times of trouble. They should be confident that God will not only hear but also help those in need. God has comforted us by the message of the Gospel—that by faith in Jesus all sins are forgiven by God.