Psalms 86:16 - Exposition

Oh turn unto me, and have mercy upon me . God had for a time turned his face away from his servant; now he is entreated to turn it towards him, and, as a consequence, to "have mercy upon him" and deliver him. Give thy strength unto thy servant. Only in God's strength can we effectually contend against either our spiritual or our temporal foes. If, however, we ask him for strength, his strength will be "sufficient for us" ( 2 Corinthians 12:9 ). And save the son of thine handmaid. Either "the son of one who was specially religious," like the mother of Timothy ( 2 Timothy 1:5 ). or" the son of an Israelitish mother," therefore born and bred up in thy household.