Psalm 86

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 86

This psalm is entitled ?a prayer of David;? probably it was not penned upon any particular occasion, but was a prayer he often used himself, and recommended to others for their use, especially in a day of affliction. Many think that David penned this prayer as a type of Christ, ?who in the days of his flesh offered up strong cries,? Heb. 5:7. David, in this prayer (according to the nature of that duty), I. Gives glory to God, Ps. 86:8-10, 12, 13. II. Seeks for grace and favour from God, that... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 86:1-7

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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 86:8-17

David is here going on in his prayer. I. He gives glory to God; for we ought in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory, to him, with the most humble and reverent adorations. 1. As a being of unparalleled perfection, such a one that there is none like him nor any to be compared with him, Ps. 86:8. Among the gods, the false gods, whom the heathens worshipped, the angels, the kings of the earth, among them all, there is none like unto thee, O Lord! none so wise, so mighty,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 86

INTRODUCTION TO Psalm 86 A Prayer of David . The title is the same with the Seventeenth Psalm, and the subject of it is much alike: it was written by David, when in distress, and his life was sought after; very likely when he was persecuted by Saul, and fled from him; so Aben Ezra, Jarchi, and Kimchi: and as he was a type of Christ in his afflictions, as well as in his exalted state, it may not be unfitly applied to him, as it is by some interpreters. The Syriac inscription of it is, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 86:1

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 Hebrews 5:7 , for I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 86:2

Preserve my soul ,.... Or life, which Saul sought after; and this prayer was heard: David was often remarkably preserved by the Lord from his attempts upon him; and so was the soul or life of Christ preserved in his infancy from Herod's malice; in the wilderness from wild beasts, and from perishing with hunger; and often from the designs of the Jews, to take away his life before his time; and he was supported in death, preserved from corruption in the grave, and raised from thence: instances... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 86:3

Be merciful unto me, O Lord ,.... In my distressed and miserable condition, being an object of mercy, pity, and compassion; this petition is used by Christ in Psalm 41:10 . for I cry unto thee daily ; or "all the day"; every day, and several times in a day, Psalm 55:17 constant and importunate prayer is the duty of saints, and available with God, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 . Christ was much in the exercise of it, Luke 6:12 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 86:4

Rejoice the soul of thy servant ,.... With the discoveries of love, of pardoning grace, and mercy, before made sad with sin or sufferings; and with the light of God's countenance, before troubled with the hidings of his face: this may be applied to Christ, in sorrowful circumstances, who was made full of joy with his Father's countenance, Matthew 26:37 . for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul : in prayer, as the Targum adds; and it denotes the devotion, fervency, heartiness, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 86:5

For thou, Lord, art good ,.... Essentially and independently good, from whom every good and perfect gift comes; good in himself, and good to others; good to all, in a providential way; and good to his own special people in a way of grace: this is asserted by Christ, Matthew 19:17 . and ready to forgive ; there is forgiveness with him, and it is to be had without difficulty; he has largely provided for it; he is forward unto it, he freely giving it; it is according to the riches of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 86:6

Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer ,.... As this psalm is called, in the title of it; his own prayer, and not another's, not one composed for him, but what was composed by him; this petition is repeated, as to the sense of it, from Psalm 86:1 to show his importunity to be heard: and attend to the voice of my supplications ; which proceeded from the spirit of grace and supplication, put up in an humble manner, in a dependence on the mercy of God, which the word used has the signification... read more

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