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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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 86:1

Bow down thine ear - Spoken after the manner of men: I am so low, and so weak, that, unless thou stoop to me, my voice cannot reach thee. Poor and needy - I am afflicted, and destitute of the necessaries of life. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 86:1

Verse 1 1.Incline thy ear, O Jehovah! Neither the inscription nor the contents of this psalm enable us to conclude with certainty what dangers David here complains of; but the psalm in all probability refers to that period of his life when he was persecuted by Saul, and describes the train of thought which then occupied his mind, although it may not have been written until after his restoration to a state of outward peace and tranquillity, when he enjoyed greater leisure. He does not without... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:1

Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me (comp. Psalms 31:2 ; Proverbs 22:17 ). For I am poor and needy; or, "I am afflicted and in misery." Poverty in the ordinary sense is scarcely intended. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:1

Man's claims on God. Historical associations for this psalm cannot be fixed with any confidence. It may be a fragment of David's which was enlarged and adapted, in a later age, to liturgical purposes. Its fragmentary character must strike every careful reader. It is suitable for any pious soul that is in distress, and is a fitting utterance for our burdened hearts. The point before us now is, that the pious soul feels it has claims on God, and may plead those claims in prayer before him.... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 86:1

Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me - See the notes at Psalms 5:1.For I am poor and needy - This is the reason here assigned why God should hear him. It is not a plea of merit. It is not that there was any claim on God in the fact that he was a poor and needy man - a sinner helpless and dependent, or that it would be any injustice if God should not hear, for a sinner has no claim to favor; but it is that this was a condition in which the aid of God was needed, and in which it was proper or... read more

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