Psalm 86:2

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 86:2

Preserve my soul - Keep it as in a strong place. For I am holy - אני חשיד כי ki chasid ani , for I am merciful. The spirit of this prayer is, "The mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me!" Save thy servant - I have long taken thee as my Master and Lord; I receive the word from thy mouth, and obey thee. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 86:2

Verse 2 2.Preserve my soul, for I am meek. Here the Psalmist adduces two other arguments by which to stir up God to grant him succor, — his own gentleness towards his neighbors, and the trust which he reposed in God. In the first clause he may seem at first sight to make some pretensions to personal worth; yet he plainly shows that nothing was farther from his intention than to insinuate that by any merits of his own he had brought God under obligations to preserve him. But the particular... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:1-5

Prayer, the predominant note of the entire psalm, holds almost exclusive possession of the first strophe, only passing into praise when the last verse is reached, where the petitioner reminds God of his loving kindness and readiness to forgive. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:1-5

The psalmist's prayers and pleas. We do not know for certain the author, the date, or the circumstances of this psalm; nor for its ministry of help to us is it needful that we should. It is the fervent utterance of a devout and believing but distressed soul. Consider— I. THE PRAYERS . Even in these few verses we note: 1 . How numerous they are! "Bow down thine ear;" "Preserve my soul; Save me;" "Be merciful unto me;" "Rejoice the soul of thy servant." 2 . How... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:1-17

Metrically, it seems to divide itself, like Psalms 85:1-13 ; into three strophes, two shorter, and one longer, the former being of five verses each, and the latter of seven. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:2

Preserve my soul. It is one of the special offices of God to "preserve the souls of his saints" ( Psalms 97:10 ). He is not only man's Creator, but his "Preserver" ( Job 7:20 ; Job 10:12 ). For I am holy. The psalmist does not mean to claim for himself perfect holiness, but only that sincerity in religion which God's servants may rightly vindicate to themselves. O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee (comp, Psalms 34:22 ; Psalms 37:40 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:2

Man's soul a sphere of Divine influence. "Preserve my soul." In the Old Testament the term "soul" is often used as we use the term "life." But there always seems within the term more or less perfect apprehension of the truth that the soul is the man. The commonly received division of man's being is into "body "and "soul;" but a more scientific analysis divides into body— which includes animal soul, or life—and spirit. The "tripartite division" is body, soul, spirit. As a moral... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 86:2

Preserve my soul - Preserve, or keep, my life; for so the word rendered soul means in this place, as it does commonly in the Scriptures.For I am holy - Margin, “One whom thou favorest.” The Hebrew word - חסיד châsı̂yd - means properly, benevolent, kind; then, good, merciful, gracious; and then pious, godly. Psalms 30:4; Psalms 31:23; Psalms 37:28. The ground of the plea here is, that he was a friend of God; and that it was proper on that account to look to him for protection. He does not say... read more

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