Psalms 86


Psalms 86
A PSALM OF DAVID
S. R. Hirsch points out that "Prayer" in Hebrew connotes something more like a spiritual exercise than a request though the aspect of request is also important and we are indeed commanded to request our needs from God. He says that this Psalm is more a general approach to the Almighty.
The word for prayer in Hebrew is "tefilah" from the root "pilel" which can connote both "intertwine, struggle" and also "judgement". We struggle with ourselves and the Divine Power to seek judgement.
We work it out as if to say through prayer and saying the Psalms.
To prayer is to "hitpalel" connoting "judge oneself".
 
The Mairi also says that this Psalm concerns Israel in Exile but David was extrapolating (as was his wont) from his own experiences when he had to flee from Saul.
 
[Psalms 86:1] BOW DOWN THINE EAR, O LORD, HEAR ME: FOR I AM POOR AND NEEDY.  
S.R. Hirsch says this Psalm is an expression of Israel who is "POOR AND NEEDY" in Exile.                    
 
[Psalms 86:2] PRESERVE MY SOUL; FOR I AM HOLY: O THOU MY GOD, SAVE THY SERVANT THAT TRUSTETH IN THEE.                     
<<HOLY>> in Hebrew "Chasid" meaning "a doer of kindness" or someone who exerts himself to do more than his basic requirement.
Israel trusts in the Almighty.
 
[Psalms 86:3] BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME, O LORD: FOR I CRY UNTO THEE DAILY.
<<DAILY>>: In Hebrew "col HaYom" i.e. "All Day Long".
The Radak (Rabbi David Kimchi) says this means that, My daily cry is only unto YOU therefore it should be before you all day long.
 
[Psalms 86:4] REJOICE THE SOUL OF THY SERVANT: FOR UNTO THEE, O LORD, DO I LIFT UP MY SOUL.  
When we turn to God HE makes us happy inside.                  
 
[Psalms 86:5] FOR THOU, LORD, ART GOOD, AND READY TO FORGIVE; AND PLENTEOUS IN MERCY UNTO ALL THEM THAT CALL UPON THEE. 
This is true. God is good to us. HE forgives our transgressions and helps us all the time especially when we pray to HIM.                   
 
[Psalms 86:6] GIVE EAR, O LORD, UNTO MY PRAYER; AND ATTEND TO THE VOICE OF MY SUPPLICATIONS.                     
 
[Psalms 86:7] IN THE DAY OF MY TROUBLE I WILL CALL UPON THEE: FOR THOU WILT ANSWER ME.                     
 
[Psalms 86:8] AMONG THE GODS THERE IS NONE LIKE UNTO THEE, O LORD; NEITHER ARE THERE ANY  WORKS LIKE UNTO THY WORKS.
The gods of the heathen are false and useless. Even the lies created about them cannot be compared to the truth we know concerning the Almighty who is the God of Israel.  Bible Study, saying the Psalms, and belief in the God of Israel is not only the truth but far more powerful and effective than any of the "alternatives" offered by pagans, New Age freaks, heathens, pseudo-scientists, and the like. 
Even if we tried to invent something to suit ourselves the end result would only be a mockery as compared to the truth of Scripture.               
 
[Psalms 86:9] ALL NATIONS WHOM THOU HAST MADE SHALL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE THEE, O LORD; AND SHALL GLORIFY THY NAME.
All the Peoples of the Earth will ultimately worship the Almighty since HE is the Creator.                     
 
[Psalms 86:10] FOR THOU ART GREAT, AND DOEST WONDROUS THINGS: THOU ART GOD ALONE.
There is only HE.                    
 
[Psalms 86:11] TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD; I WILL WALK IN THY TRUTH: UNITE MY HEART TO  FEAR THY NAME.
We ask us God to teach us the truth and the path we should go in.                    
 
[Psalms 86:12] I WILL PRAISE THEE, O LORD MY GOD, WITH ALL MY HEART: AND I WILL GLORIFY THY NAME FOR EVERMORE.                     
 
[Psalms 86:13] FOR GREAT IS THY MERCY TOWARD ME: AND THOU HAST DELIVERED MY SOUL FROM THE LOWEST HELL.                     
 
[Psalms 86:14] O GOD, THE PROUD ARE RISEN AGAINST ME, AND THE ASSEMBLIES OF VIOLENT MEN HAVE SOUGHT AFTER MY SOUL; AND HAVE NOT SET THEE BEFORE THEM.                     
<<THE PROUD>>: Hebrew "Zadim" connoting "workers of evil machinations".
<<VIOLENT MEN>>: Hebrew "Aritsim" meaning "tyrants".
Throughout history evil people and oppressors have combined together in political parties, committees, and street gangs to harm the Jews. They seek to destroy the Jews since the Jews in their eyes represent all Israel. Such lowlifes and reprobates do not fear the Almighty. In many cases they are perverts.
 
[Psalms 86:15] BUT THOU, O LORD, ART A GOD FULL OF COMPASSION, AND GRACIOUS,  LONGSUFFERING, AND PLENTEOUS IN MERCY AND TRUTH.                     
 God suffers us with all our faults and does not let us go.

[Psalms 86:16] O TURN UNTO ME, AND HAVE MERCY UPON ME; GIVE THY STRENGTH UNTO THY  SERVANT, AND SAVE THE SON OF THINE HANDMAID. 
David on behalf of Israel and Judah requests that God turn to him and have mercy upon him and save him by giving him of HIS strength.  The ability to wage war and defend ourselves victoriously is a blessing that we need to be thankful for.                   
 
[Psalms 86:17] SHEW ME A TOKEN FOR GOOD; THAT THEY WHICH HATE ME MAY SEE IT, AND BE  ASHAMED: BECAUSE THOU, LORD, HAST HOLPEN ME, AND COMFORTED ME. 
Israel is the chosen nation of the Almighty. The enemies of Judah and Israel constantly deny this. They cannot take it.  We ask God to openly show HIS favor towards us so that HIS name be known as the God of Israel, our God, the ONE who saves us and acknowledges that we are HIS people.