Psalms 86:1-6

1 (85-1) <A prayer for David himself.> Incline thy ear, O Lord, and hear me: for I am needy and poor.
2 (85-2) Preserve my soul, for I am holy: save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee.
3 (85-3) Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to thee all the day.
4 (85-4) Give joy to the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul.
5 (85-5) For thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild: and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon thee.
6 (85-6) Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer: and attend to the voice of my petition.

Psalms 86:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 86

\\<>\\. The title is the same with the Seventeenth Psalm, and the subject of it is much alike: it was written by David, when in distress, and his life was sought after; very likely when he was persecuted by Saul, and fled from him; so Aben Ezra, Jarchi, and Kimchi: and as he was a type of Christ in his afflictions, as well as in his exalted state, it may not be unfitly applied to him, as it is by some interpreters. The Syriac inscription of it is, ``for David, when he built an house for the Lord; and a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles; and moreover, a prayer of a peculiar righteous man.'' Theodoret thinks it predicts the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrians, and Hezekiah's hope in God.

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