Passage: Psalm 86
The Big Idea
Psalm 86 is the only psalm in Book III titled “A Prayer of David.” He comes poor and needy and leans entirely on God’s character: You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. At its center is a prayer every believer needs: Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.
Reflections
Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy (v. 1). Start with humility. You chose me through no merit of my own. I have no resources and no ability. I can’t help You. I can only come in my need and let You do everything. I don’t even know all I need.
Preserve my life, for I am holy (v. 2). By Your grace I’m holy, not by my own goodness, but by faith in Your name and Your work. Guard my life. Open my eyes to see how I can serve You today.
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to You all the day long (v. 3). I accept Your offer of mercy. I need it. What am I living for, if not for relationship with You? Help me serve my family with all my heart.
Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul (v. 4). Take my soul and make it right, whole and secure in Your love. My heart, mind, emotions and desires all need You. I can’t fix any of it, but I can look to You.
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You (v. 5). Ready to forgive! I call on You today and every day. Change me. Make me like You. Show me what to do.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer (v. 6). What a relationship: You ask me to pray, and You hear when I do. Keep encouraging me. Send Your life into my heart so it shines out of my eyes and mouth.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me (v. 7). I believe it. I’m in trouble daily and I need You daily. I’ll walk in humble dependence.
Among the gods there is none like You (v. 8). The unseen realm and its influence are real. I need to stay connected to You in humility and faith. Even when I’m swayed by other voices, You’re faithful. You come after me when I wander. Thank You for taking me back.
All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You (v. 9). You have a plan to save the world, and You love all nations. Let me see things as You do.
For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God (v. 10). There’s no other way, no other glory, no other salvation but Yours. Jesus, stay before my eyes all day.
Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name (v. 11). I don’t know Your way until You teach it to me. That You’d take time to teach me is amazing. Thank You for those who’ve been examples to me. And unite my divided heart.
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart (v. 12). I want no other. But my idols need to be taken away. Rescue me from them. I’ll look to You alone for every need and desire.
Great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol (v. 13). I was lost, and You found me, chose me and rescued me. Now keep sanctifying me, for Your glory.
O God, the proud have risen against me (v. 14). You see more than I know. I’m Your child. Defend me.
But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth (v. 15). This is who You are, the same name You proclaimed to Moses (Exodus 34:6). I’m just a drop in Your ocean, yet You know and love me.
Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant (v. 16). I need Your proactive grace. I’m nothing, and I need You to do everything.
Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me (v. 17). I ask for this with a calm heart, not with vengeance, but for Your glory. I’m called by Your name. Let it be known that You love me.
Grace Takeaway
You don’t need to come strong. Come poor and needy to the God who is good, ready to forgive and abundant in mercy. Ask Him to teach you His way and to unite your scattered heart around Him.
← Psalm 85: Mercy and Truth Have Met Together | All Psalms notes | Psalm 87: All My Springs Are in You →