‏ Psalms 86

* The psalmist pleads his earnestness, and the mercy of God, as

reasons why his prayer should be heard. (1-7) He renews his

requests for help and comfort. (8-17)1-7 Our poverty and wretchedness, when felt, powerfully plead

in our behalf at the throne of grace. The best self-preservation

is to commit ourselves to God's keeping. I am one whom thou

favourest, hast set apart for thyself, and made partaker of

sanctifying grace. It is a great encouragement to prayer, to

feel that we have received the converting grace of God, have

learned to trust in him, and to be his servants. We may expect

comfort from God, when we keep up our communion with God. God's

goodness appears in two things, in giving and forgiving.

Whatever others do, let us call upon God, and commit our case to

him; we shall not seek in vain. 8-17 Our God alone possesses almighty power and infinite love.

Christ is the way and the truth. And the believing soul will be

more desirous to be taught the way and the truth. And the

believing soul will be more desirous to be taught the way and

the truth of God, in order to walk therein, than to be delivered

out of earthly distress. Those who set not the Lord before them,

seek after believers' souls; but the compassion, mercy, and

truth of God, will be their refuge and consolation. And those

whose parents were the servants of the Lord, may urge this as a

plea why he should hear and help them. In considering David's

experience, and that of the believer, we must not lose sight of

Him, who though he was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we

through his poverty might be rich