PSALM LXXXVI _The psalmist prays to God for support, from a conviction that_ _he is merciful, good, ready to forgive, and that there is none_ _like him_, 1-8; _all nations shall bow before him because of his wondrous works_, 9, 10; _he prays to be instructed, and promises to praise God for his... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:2. _PRESERVE MY SOUL_] Keep it as in a strong place. _FOR I_ AM _HOLY_] כי חשיד אני _ki chasid ani_, for I am merciful. The spirit of this prayer is, "The mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me!" _SAVE THY SERVANT_] I have long taken thee as my _Master_ and _Lord_; I recei... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:3. _BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME_] I have no _merit_; I plead none, but trust in thee alone. _I CRY UNTO THEE DAILY._] My state deeply affects me; and I incessantly cry for thy salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:4. _REJOICE THE SOUL OF THY SERVANT_] I want spiritual blessings; I want such consolations as thou dost impart to them that love thee; I present that soul to thee which I wish thee to console.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:5. _FOR THOU, LORD_, ART _GOOD_] I found my expectations of help on thy own goodness through which thou art always ready to forgive. And I found it also on thy well-known character, to which all thy followers bear testimony, viz., that "thou art plenteous in mercy unto all them that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:6. _GIVE EAR, O LORD_] Attend to _me_. Millions call upon thee for help and mercy; but who has more need than myself? That the psalmist was deeply in earnest, his conduct shows. 1. He _prayed_. 2. His prayer was vehement; he lifted up his _voice_. 3. He continued in prayer; he abo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:7. _THOU WILT ANSWER ME._] Because thou art good, merciful, and ready to forgive; and I call upon thee fervently, and seek thee in thy own way.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:8. _AMONG THE GODS_ THERE IS _NONE LIKE UNTO THEE, O LORD_] None that trusted in an idol ever had help in time of need; none that prayed to any of them ever had an answer to his petitions. _Thou_ savest; _they_ cannot; thou _upholdest_; they must be _upheld_ by their foolish worshipp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:9. _ALL NATIONS_] Thy word shall be proclaimed among all the Gentiles: they shall receive thy testimony, and worship thee as the only true and living God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:10. _FOR THOU_ ART _GREAT_] Almighty, infinite, eternal. _AND DOEST WONDROUS THINGS_] ועשה נפלאות _veoseh niphlaoth_; thou art the _Worker of miracles_. This thou hast done in numerous instances, and thereby showed thy infinite power and wisdom. This appears to be a prophecy of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:11. _TEACH ME THY WAY_] Instruct me in the steps I should take; for without thy teaching I must go astray. _UNITE MY HEART_] יחד לבבי _yached lebabi, join_ all the purposes, resolutions, and affections of my heart _together_, to fear and to glorify thy name. This is a most important... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:12. _I WILL PRAISE THEE - WITH ALL MY HEART_] When my _heart_ is _united_ to fear thy name, then shall I praise thee with my _whole_ _heart_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:13. _THOU HAST DELIVERED MY SOUL FROM THE LOWEST HELL._] This must mean more than the _grave_; a _hell below hell_-a place of perdition for the soul, as the grave is a place of corruption for the _body_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:14. _THE ASSEMBLIES OF VIOLENT MEN_] עדת עריצים _adath_ _aritsim_, the _congregation of the terrible ones_. Men of violent passions, violent counsels, and violent acts; and, because they have power, _terrible_ to all. _HAVE NOT SET THEE BEFORE THEM._] Who sins that sets God before h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:15. _BUT THOU, O LORD_] What a wonderful character of God is given in this verse! אדני _Adonai_, the Director, Judge, and Support; - but instead of אדני _Adonai, thirty-four_ of _Kennicott's_ MSS. have יהוה _Jehovah_, the self-existent and eternal Being; - אל _El_, the strong God; ר... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:16. _O TURN UNTO ME_] He represents himself as following after God; but he cannot overtake him; and then he plays that he would _turn_ and meet him through pity; or give him _strength_ that he might be able to hold on his race. _GIVE THY STRENGTH UNTO THY SERVANT_] The _Vulgate_ re... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 86:17. _SHOW ME A TOKEN FOR GOOD_] עשה עמי אוה _aseh immi oth_, "_Make_ with me a sign." Fix the honourabie mark of thy name upon me, that I may be known to be thy servant. There seems to be an allusion here to the _marking of a slave_, to ascertain whose property he was. The _Anglo-Sa... [ Continue Reading ]