Psalm 86

Here as an absolutely wonderful “Prayer of David,” showing richness in prayer as well as God’s excellencies!  Note the wonderful symmetry of the song.

86:1-7	David calls on God to hear his prayer	86:16-17
86:8-10 (the nations)	God’s greatness seen in the people of the world	86:14-15 (the proud)
86:11-	David desires to worship God in a worthy manner	86:13

Now let us meditate on this great hymn of the faith!

·         In vs. 1-7 note the various ways David approaches God.  Each is an expression of David’s faith in a real God, a good God, a compassionate God.

o   David is poor and needy so he pleads with God to bow down Your ear.

o   David is holy (set apart to God) so he calls on God, my God.

o   David is God’s servant and thus fully trusting his Master for all his needs.

o   David’s needy situation goes on all day; so he pleads for God’s mercy.

o   David’s need is deep, in his soul, the inner man.  So he lifts up his soul to God, not just for superficial happiness but for deep joy.

o   Because of the Lord’s goodness David is confident: You will answer me!.

·         In v5 and v15 there are descriptions of God that likely come from David’s meditation on the Name of God in Exodus 34:6-7.  This was a frequent source of encouragement for the saints in Israel as they came before God.

·         Verses 8-10 remind us of Isaiah 40-66 and the great confessions of God’s uniqueness.  Both are true: that God is unique among the gods and that God alone is God.  The gods are what the nations or the wicked trust.  They are gods in that they are worshiped.  But in the end, they are not god at all.  Only One is God.  This reflects the Shema, the confession of Deut. 6:4-5: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

·         Since we are to love Him with all we are, the prayer of 86:11-13 makes perfect sense, doesn’t it!  First we pray, teach me Your way so we know how we are to love God as we go through life.  Then we pray, unite my heart to fear Your name, so that we will love Him with ALL our heart, soul and strength.  The alternative is the temptation to try to worship the true God while at the same time bowing before the gods of the world (materialism, hedonism and self!)  That hypocrisy is rightfully an abomination to God. 

·         David asks that God would give an observable indication of His goodness so that those who attack him would see it and be ashamed (v17).  We must wait for God’s answer.  But for the sake of God’s glory he asks God to show Himself to the proud.  Prayer is always about God’s glory, God’s Name!