Table of Contents
Background and Context
Psalm 86 is titled “A prayer of David.” It is a beautiful and deeply personal lament, an individual’s cry for help in a time of distress. While many psalms are a patchwork of human emotions, this one feels like a patchwork of Scripture itself. The psalmist (David) weaves together phrases, ideas, and direct quotes from other parts of the Bible, especially from other psalms and the book of Exodus. This suggests that it is the prayer of a mature believer who has spent a lifetime meditating on God’s Word, so much so that it has become the natural language of his prayers.
The specific situation is an attack by a group of “arrogant” and “ruthless” people who have no regard for God (verse 14). In his vulnerability, David does not appeal to his own strength or status as king. Instead, he comes before God in utter humility, identifying himself as “poor and needy,” as God’s faithful servant who is completely dependent on divine mercy. His confidence is not in himself, but in the unshakable character of the God he has known his entire life.
Theological Themes
This psalm is a masterclass in prayer, demonstrating a faith that is both humble and bold, and is built on several key theological pillars.
Prayer as an Act of Humble Dependence: The psalm is saturated with humility. David bases his appeal on his neediness and his status as God’s servant. “Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy” (verse 1). He approaches God not with demands, but with a confession of his total dependence. This teaches that the proper posture for prayer is one that acknowledges our own weakness and God’s all-sufficient strength.
God’s Character as the Foundation for Prayer: David’s boldness in prayer comes directly from his confidence in who God is. His petitions are anchored in affirmations of God’s character. The theological heart of the psalm is verse 15, where David directly quotes God’s own self-revelation from Exodus 34:6: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” This is the firm ground on which he stands, giving him the confidence to ask for help.
The Desire for an Undivided Heart: In the midst of his plea for deliverance, David makes one of the most profound requests in the Psalter: “Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (verse 11). He recognizes that the greatest threat is not just the enemies without, but the potential for distraction and division within his own heart. He longs for a single-minded, wholehearted devotion to God.
A Vision for God’s Universal Glory: Even in his personal distress, David’s vision is not limited to his own situation. He looks forward to a day when “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name” (verse 9). He understands that his personal deliverance is part of God’s much larger plan to reveal His greatness to the entire world.
Literary Structure and Genre
Psalm 86 is an individual lament psalm. However, unlike many laments that are filled with anguish, this one is characterized by a calm and steady confidence. Its structure is a beautiful flow of petition and praise, with each request being grounded in an attribute of God’s character.
- Part 1: The Humble Plea (verses 1-7): David cries out for help, basing his appeal on his humble position and God’s good and forgiving nature.
- Part 2: The Confident Praise (verses 8-13): David praises God’s uniqueness and His future universal reign, and prays for the personal integrity needed to worship Him properly.
- Part 3: The Final Appeal (verses 14-17): David describes his enemies and then makes a final appeal, based on God’s revealed character, for a sign of His goodness.
Verse by Verse Commentary on Psalm 86
Verses 1-7: A Humble Cry to a Gracious God
“Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you… For you, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you… In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.”
The psalm opens with a series of earnest petitions. David asks God to hear, guard, save, and have mercy. He gives four reasons for his appeal, all based on his relationship with God: he is “poor and needy,” “faithful to you” (devoted), “your servant,” and he “trusts in you.” His plea is rooted in his dependent and committed relationship with God.
He then grounds his confidence in God’s character. He calls on God because he knows that God is “forgiving and good, abounding in love (hesed) to all who call” upon Him. Because this is who God is, David can say with certainty that in his day of trouble, God will answer.
Verses 8-13: Praise to the One True God
“Among the gods there is none like you, Lord… All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord… Teach me your way, LORD… give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart.”
David’s prayer now erupts into praise. He declares that God is utterly unique; there are no other gods who can compare to Him or do His mighty works. This conviction leads to a prophetic vision: a day is coming when all the nations will recognize this truth and come to worship the Lord and glorify His name. The reason for this universal worship is that “you alone are God.“
This grand vision of God’s glory leads David to a personal request in verse 11. In order to worship this great God properly, he needs two things: divine teaching (“Teach me your way“) and a purified heart (“Give me an undivided heart“). He prays for a heart that is not pulled in different directions, but is wholly focused on fearing and honoring God. With such a heart, he vows to praise God with everything he is, because of the great love that has delivered him from the depths.
Verses 14-17: A Final Plea for a Sign
“The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a ruthless band of people seeks my life… But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me… Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.”
David returns to his specific, present trouble. He is being attacked by arrogant and ruthless people who do not acknowledge God.
In direct contrast to their cruel character, David places the magnificent declaration of God’s character in verse 15. The word “But” is a powerful pivot. He recites the creed of God’s grace, first revealed to Moses in Exodus 34. This is the ultimate basis of his hope.
Based on this gracious character, he makes his final request. He asks God to turn to him, have mercy, and give him strength. He asks for a “sign of your goodness“—some visible, tangible act of deliverance or favor that will serve two purposes: it will shame his enemies by proving that God is on his side, and it will confirm to his own heart that the LORD has helped and comforted him.
Practical Lessons for Today
Pray the Scriptures: David’s prayer is woven from the threads of God’s Word. This teaches us that a powerful way to pray is to use the language of Scripture itself. When we pray God’s own words and promises back to Him, we pray with confidence and power.
Anchor Your Prayers in God’s Character: When you are in trouble, the most stable place to stand is on the character of God. Like David, we can remind ourselves and God of His revealed nature: that He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. This is the foundation that can hold us steady in any storm.
Pray for an Undivided Heart: In a world full of distractions that pull for our allegiance, David’s prayer for an “undivided heart” is deeply relevant. We can and should ask God to unify our desires and affections, so that we can love and fear Him with our whole being.
Ask God for a “Sign of His Goodness”: It is not a lack of faith to ask God for confirmation of His presence and help. Asking for a “sign” is asking for God to make His goodness tangible in our lives, in a way that encourages our own hearts and serves as a testimony to a watching world.
Cross References
Exodus 34:6: “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.'” This is the foundational text of God’s self-revelation in the Old Testament, which David quotes directly in Psalm 86:15 as the primary basis for his prayer.
Nehemiah 9:17: “But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” During the great prayer of confession after the exile, the Levites also quote from Exodus 34, showing that this declaration of God’s character was a central part of Israel’s worship and prayer life.
Jeremiah 32:39: “I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them.” The prophet Jeremiah records God’s promise to do for His people exactly what David prays for in Psalm 86:11—to give them a single, undivided heart.
Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” The Apostle Paul describes the ultimate fulfillment of the vision in Psalm 86:9, where all nations will one day bow and worship before God’s true King.