This Psalm is a mosaic of fragments from other Psalms and scriptures [47]. It claims no poetic originality, yet it possesses a pathetic earnestness and tender grace of its own. It is distinguished by the seven times repeated use of _Adonai_, -Lord," in addressing God, a title which expresses the con... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bow down_&c. A common form of invocation. Cp. Psalms 17:6; Psalms 31:1; Isaiah 37:17; &c. _hear me_ Answer me (Psalms 55:2). _for I am poor and needy_ Or, afflicted and needy: and therefore one of those whom God has specially promised to help (Psalms 12:5). From Psalms 40:17 (Psalms 70:5): cp.... [ Continue Reading ]
A series of petitions, each supported by the ground on which the Psalmist pleads for a hearing.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Preserve my soul_ = Psalms 25:20. _for I_am _holy_ R.V. godly fails to bring out the connexion of the word with _chesed_, -lovingkindness" (Psalms 86:5_; Psalms 86:13; Psalms 86:15_). Cheyne gives _duteous in love_. But the passive sense _beloved_, -the object of thy loving-kindness," is far more... [ Continue Reading ]
Be gracious unto me, O Lord; For unto thee do I cry all the day long. See Psalms 57:1-2, and elsewhere (Psalms 3:4; Psalms 4:1; &c.).... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoice_&c. Cp. Psalms 90:15. _for unto thee_&c. From Psalms 25:1. God alone is the object of his desires, his aspirations, his prayers. Cp. Psalms 143:8; Lamentations 3:41.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ready to forgive_ The exact word is found only here, but for the thought see Psalms 130:4; and for the whole verse cp. Exodus 34:6 f.... [ Continue Reading ]
Taken from Psalms 55:1-2; Psalms 5:2; Psalms 28:2; cp. Psalms 130:2. _attend_ R.V. hearken.... [ Continue Reading ]
Renewed supplication for a hearing. The Psalmist is sure of an answer, for Jehovah is the only true God, Whom all nations will one day acknowledge.... [ Continue Reading ]
From Psalms 77:2; Psalms 17:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is none like thee among the gods, O Lord; And there is nought like thy works. Based upon Exodus 15:11, which is frequently imitated elsewhere; and Deuteronomy 3:24. In Psalms 86:5 the Psalmist dwelt on God's _willingness_to answer prayer; here he comforts himself with the thought of His _abi... [ Continue Reading ]
Apparently a reminiscence of Psalms 22:27, combined possibly with Isaiah 24:15 (-glorify ye … the name of Jehovah") and other passages. But the verse is remarkable for the distinctness and fulness of its Messianic hope, and for the thought implied in the words _whom thou hast made_, that the nations... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Psalms 77:13-14; Psalms 72:18; Psalms 83:18; and Exodus 15:11; Exodus 34:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Teach me thy way, O Lord_ Word for word from Psalms 27:11. _I will walk in thy truth_ When Thou dost teach me Thy way. From Psalms 26:3. _unite my heart to fear thy name_ Let it be no longer divided between Thee and other attractions; let all its powers and affections be concentrated in reverence... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Psalms 57:9-10; Psalms 9:1; Psalms 50:15; Psalms 50:23. _with all my heart_ R.V. with my whole heart; when the prayer of Psalms 86:11 is granted. _thy mercy_ Thy lovingkindness. _and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell_ From the nethermost Sheol. From Psalms 56:13 (Psalms 116:8);... [ Continue Reading ]
Again, though the Psalmist may be referring to personal circumstances, it is not impossible that he is alluding to dangers by which the community was threatened. The verse is taken almost word for word from Psalms 54:3, with perhaps a reminiscence of Psalms 22:16 (- _assembly_of evil doers"). The va... [ Continue Reading ]
Word for word from Exodus 34:6. With his proud and merciless enemies he contrasts the revealed character of God, as the ground of the prayer which follows. Though he may have deserved punishment, God cannot surely abandon him to them. _longsuffering_ Or, slow to anger (R.V.).... [ Continue Reading ]
_O turn_&c. From Psalms 25:16. _have mercy upon me_ Render, be gracious unto me, to shew the connexion with the attribute -gracious" in Psalms 86:15. _thy servant … the son of thine handmaid_ Cp. Psalms 116:16. -The son of thine handmaid" is a synonym for -thy servant," denoting a closer relationsh... [ Continue Reading ]
_a token for good_ Some visible and unmistakable sign of Thy favour towards me. Cp. Jeremiah 24:6; Ezra 8:22; Nehemiah 5:19; Nehemiah 13:31. _that they_&c. That they which hate me may be ashamed when they see that thou &c. Cp. Psalms 40:3; Psalms 6:10; Psalms 35:4: and for _holpen … comforted_, I [ Continue Reading ]