Psalms 86:12-16

12 From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord; I've never kept secret what you're up to.

13 You've always been great toward me - what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster!

14 God, these bullies have reared their heads! A gang of thugs is after me - and they don't care a thing about you.

15 But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit.

16 So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child!

Psalms 86:12-16 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.