Ps. 86 - A Prayer to the GOD who Saves.

Introduction

We often experience times in our life that can plunge us into deep despair. We can go through events that make us questions everything and everyone, including God. Probably the two must prevalent today would be health and financial crises. There is also a rampant political correctness that can see job lost and careers destroyed if the wrong words are spoken. What are we to do in these types of situations? When this seem hopeless, no one can seem to help, and it is tempting to give in and up, we can look to the words of psalm 86 instead.

Background

This is a psalm of David. Why it is here as opposed to one of the prior books we do not know. Nor do we have information regarding the historical setting for his cry. It is a lament psalm, one rich in theology and teaching ability. We can break this psalm into six parts:

The psalmists cry for deliverance (vs. 1 - 7)

A declaration that all nations will worship the one true God (vs. 8 - 10)

The center verse: Knowing and walking in the way of the LORD (v. 11)

A promise of praise to God for His deliverance (vs. 12 - 13)

The psalmists cry for deliverance from his enemies (vs. 14 - 17)

Exposition

Verses 1 - 5: The psalm begins with an earnest plea for the LORD to hear and answer. The psalmist is in distress, without help and pressed down. He asks for the covenantal God to keep him based on his needs (plight - v. 1), his status as God’s servant (position - v. 2), and the character of God (powerfully gracious and merciful God - v. 5). All he is and has is because of the grace and mercy of God. He is the LORD’s servant because the LORD choose him. The psalmist understand this. The LORD is his God and the psalmist trusts in Him completely. The REBC states: “Hope begins with submitting oneself fully to the protection of God. It is further demonstrated by absolute loyalty to the Lord...”[1] The LORD is able to help when no one can.

Notice also how David indicates his continual prayer. He did not pray once and go about his day. He didn’t cry out and receive an answer right away. He persevered in prayer. John Calvin writes: “The inspired suppliant not only represents himself as crying, but as persevering in doing so, to teach us that he was not discouraged at the first or second encounter, but continued in prayer with untiring earnestness.”[2] There is nothing wrong with praying for the same thing more than once. Christ’s prohibition of vain repetitious prayers (Matt. 6:7) doesn’t apply here. Christ himself prayed three times in the garden and also gave us the parable of the widow and unjust judge (Lk. 18:1 - 8). Prayers from a heart submitted to the LORD, trusting in Him, are welcome by our loving father. They demonstrate our continued trust in Him, even in the midst of delay.

The writer desires the LORD to show him favor in this situation as the psalmist places his hope only in the LORD. If the LORD would come to his aid, the psalmist would rejoice. Charles Spurgeon puts it this way: “Make my heart glad, O my Master, for I count it my honour to call myself again and again thy servant, and I reckon thy favour to be all the wages I could desire. I look for all my happiness in thee only, and therefore “unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. As the heliotrope looks to the sun for its smile, so turn I my heart to thee.”[3] Only Yahweh can help him, therefore the psalmist turns to the LORD with all his being. The LORD is good, a God who forgives those whom turn and repents, and is absolutely faithful to all who call upon His name. We never need to fear coming before the LORD.[4] Yes, we must come reverently, but we can also come confidently. As the writer of Hebrews tells us: ‘come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need’ (Heb. 4:16).

Verses 6 - 7: Whatever the situation, it is dire as the writer earnestly yearns for the LORD to act on his behalf. The psalmist is confident, likely based upon past experience, that the LORD will answer and move on his behalf. When in distress he knows the LORD is the one to turn to.

Verses 8 - 10: The psalmist breaks out in praise to the one true GOD, declaring that the LORD is unmatched as compared to the ‘gods’ of the nations. None has or can do like Yahweh (Ex. 15:11) . He is far above the rest and the sole God to whom worship and allegiance is due. The LORD is the great God who does incredible, wonderful things in heaven and earth. While praising the psalmist looks toward a time when all the nations of the earth, formed by the hand of God, shall come before the presence of the LORD is worship. There is a time coming when all the nations will give to the LORD the glory due to His name. The apostle John, in relaying a scene from heaven, places this verse on the lips of the victorious saints whom are not overcome by the beast.

Verse 11: We come now to the most important petition in this psalm. What the psalmist needs most is to know the way of the LORD so as to please Him, that is how to live according to the LORD statutes and ordinances. This was the great prayer of Moses after the golden calf (Exod. 33:13) and is appropriate, even necessary as our prayer today.[5] He wants to fear God’s name, that is give to Him the reverence and humble obedience due to the LORD and walk according to His way. To fear the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7) This should, indeed must be the heart cry of every believer. It is our joyful, loving duty. It is our great privilege. It is for the LORD’s glory. Therefore, when we go before God let us do so seeking both our salvation and His glory in the midst of our storm.[6]

Verses 12 - 13: The psalmist promises to give heartfelt thanksgiving to the LORD his God in response to the LORD’s deliverance. He is declare the LORD’s glory as long as he lives. He will be faithful to his God. How could he not? The God of Israel, his God, has greatly manifested his steadfast love toward him. He has preserved the psalmist for death. The LORD is worthy of praise forever and ever.

Verses 14 - 17: The psalmist returns to the nature of the threat. His enemies are violent men whom seek his death. They are arrogant. They see no wrong in what they are doing, nor do they fear the God of Israel who created and will judge them. Yet the psalmist can take his hope in God. In of quotation of Ex. 34:6 the psalmist reminds himself that the LORD is a gracious and merciful God, one who gives what we don’t deserve and withholds what we do. For our sakes, the LORD does not get angry quickly and overflows with enduring love and truth. Having recalled this realities the psalmist pleads for the LORD to look upon him and show that unmerited favor. He won’t make it on his own. He needs the strength of the LORD, the same God whom has been with and blessed his family. He ends his psalm with a prayer that the LORD’s actions on his behalf be shown publicly so that his enemies can be put to shame, seeing the LORD is with, has helped, and comforted the psalmist.

Bibliography

1. VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, p. 649). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

2. Calvin, J. (1998). Psalms (electronic ed., Ps 86:3). Albany, OR: Ages Software.”

3. Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 56-87 (Vol. 3, p. 464). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.”

4. Futato, M. D. (2009). The Book of Psalms. In Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 7: The Book of Psalms, The Book of Proverbs (p. 281). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

5. Boice, J. M. (2005). Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (p. 705). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

6. Futato, M. D. (2009). The Book of Psalms. In Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 7: The Book of Psalms, The Book of Proverbs (p. 282). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.