Psa 86:5-13 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 5. For thou, Lord , art good ] I found my expectations of help on thy own goodness through which thou art always ready to forgive. And I found it also on thy well-known character, to which all thy followers bear testimony, viz., that "thou art plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

‏ Psalms 86:5-13

Verse 5. For thou, Lord, art good] I found my expectations of help on thy own goodness through which thou art always ready to forgive. And I found it also on thy well-known character, to which all thy followers bear testimony, viz., that "thou art plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

Verse 6. Give ear, O Lord] Attend to me. Millions call upon thee for help and mercy; but who has more need than myself? That the psalmist was deeply in earnest, his conduct shows. 1. He prayed. 2. His prayer was vehement; he lifted up his voice. 3. He continued in prayer; he abounded in supplications.

Verse 7. Thou wilt answer me.] Because thou art good, merciful, and ready to forgive; and I call upon thee fervently, and seek thee in thy own way.

Verse 8. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord] None that trusted in an idol ever had help in time of need; none that prayed to any of them ever had an answer to his petitions. Thou savest; they cannot; thou upholdest; they must be upheld by their foolish worshippers. Thou art my Director, Adonai; but they cannot direct nor teach; they have mouths, but they speak not.

Verse 9. All nations] Thy word shall be proclaimed among all the Gentiles: they shall receive thy testimony, and worship thee as the only true and living God.

Verse 10. For thou art great] Almighty, infinite, eternal.

And doest wondrous things] veoseh niphlaoth; thou art the Worker of miracles. This thou hast done in numerous instances, and thereby showed thy infinite power and wisdom.

This appears to be a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ, and the evidence to be given to his Divine mission by the miracles which he should work.

Thou art God alone.] συειοθεοςμονοςομεγας.-Sept. Thou art the only, THE GREAT God. In this the AEthiopic and Arabic agree.

Verse 11. Teach me thy way] Instruct me in the steps I should take; for without thy teaching I must go astray.

Unite my heart] yached lebabi, join all the purposes, resolutions, and affections of my heart together, to fear and to glorify thy name. This is a most important prayer. A divided heart is a great curse; scattered affections are a miserable plague. When the heart is not at unity with itself, the work of religion cannot go on. Indecision of mind and division of affections mar any work. The heart must be one, that the work may be one. If this be wanting, all is wrong. This is a prayer which becomes the mouth of every Christian.

Verse 12. I will praise thee-with all my heart] When my heart is united to fear thy name, then shall I praise thee with my whole heart.

Verse 13. Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.] This must mean more than the grave; a hell below hell-a place of perdition for the soul, as the grave is a place of corruption for the body.