Faithlife Study Bible (Biblia.com)

86:title–17 In this individual lament psalm, the psalmist—a servant of God (vv. 2, 4, 16)—pleads for God’s help against ruthless enemies (v. 14). The psalmist begins by asking Yahweh to help him, distinguishing himself by his faithfulness and great need (vv. 1–2). He lifts his soul in desperation (vv. 3–4), calling on God because of His kind nature (v. 5) and history of helping him (vv. 6–7). The psalmist recalls Yahweh’s superiority over all other deities (v. 8) and predicts that someday all nations will worship Him (vv. 9–10). He then asks God to instruct him and transform him (v. 11) so that he might praise Him (vv. 12–13). The psalmist focuses on his enemies again, noting their ruthlessness and their dishonor of God (v. 14). He concludes by noting God’s loving nature (v. 15) and pleads that God will rescue him (v. 16) and put his enemies to shame (v. 17).

86 is characterized by the psalmist’s distinguishing between names for God that are almost synonymous in other parts of the Bible. The psalmist sets the Hebrew names yhwh (Yahweh; vv. 1, 6, 11, 17) and adonay (“my Lord” or “my master”; vv. 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15) beside each other to emphasize his personal commitment to God. He also uses the general Hebrew title elohim (“God”—vv. 2, 10, 12, 14, 15) to portray his interaction with God, the object of his personal loyalty and the supreme Deity.

The Name Theology of the Old Testament

86:title A prayer The Hebrew word used here, tephillah, may indicate a prayer of supplication that would characterize a lament psalm.

of David Psalm 86 is the only psalm affiliated with David in Book Three of the Psalms (Pss 73–89; see note on 1:1–6; compare note on 72:20). See note on 3:title.

David and the Psalm Titles

86:1–7 In the opening passage, the psalmist identifies his role as Yahweh’s servant (vv. 2, 4) and, in the Hebrew text, introduces the personal name yhwh (Yahweh; vv. 1, 6) and the title adonay (“my Lord”; vv. 3, 4, 5) The psalmist focuses on God rather than describing his own difficulty in detail (see vv. 1, 6–7).

The Name Theology of the Old Testament

86:1 O Yahweh The Hebrew word yhwh (Yahweh) is the personal name God revealed to Moses in Exod 3:13–15.

answer me The psalmist asks God to act favorably.

poor and needy The Hebrew words used here, ani and evyon, often occur together. While both are associated with poverty and need, evyon seems to particularly convey misery that results from oppression.

86:2 I am faithful The word chasid used here describes those who are pious and faithful to God. It is related to the word chesed (see Ps 132:9 and note).

your servant The psalmist identifies himself as Yahweh’s servant (eved, in Hebrew; see vv. 3, 4, 16), possibly indicating a special relationship with Yahweh beyond general submission (compare Deut 34:5; Josh 24:29).

my God Although the psalmist uses several terms for God, he only uses the Hebrew term elohay here and in Psa 86:12. The statement attah elohim levaddekha (“you alone are God”) in v. 10 may convey the same idea. See 84:3 and note.

86:3 O Lord The Hebrew word used here, adonay, (which literally means “my master”) occurs as a title for God more often in Psa 86 than any other psalm (vv. 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15). It refers to God as divine master.

Adonai EDB

86:5 loyal love The psalmist connects God’s love (chesed in Hebrew) to anyone who calls upon Him. Later, the psalmist declares how God’s love has been personally expressed to him (v. 13). In v. 15, the psalmist appeals to God’s love. See note on 25:10.

Mercy Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words

Chesed Word Study

86:7 because you answer me The psalmist portrays his relationship with God as one of ongoing help. When the psalmist calls, God answers by helping him.

86:8–13 In this passage, the psalmist describes God’s worthiness and God’s personal commitment to Him. He anticipates that all the nations will one day recognize God’s excellence and come to worship Him (vv. 8–10). In response, he asks that God teach him and change him (v. 11) so that he might praise Him (v. 12). The psalmist closes by asserting that God will rescue him, portraying his deliverance as already complete (v. 13).

86:8 among the gods The God of Israel, Yahweh—whom the psalmist also calls his Lord (or master)—is superior to all other divine beings (elohim in Hebrew). He demonstrates this by being creator of all nations (v. 11). Compare 82:1 and note; 136:2 and note; compare 138:1.

86:9 All the nations that you have made The nations that are under the jurisdiction of other gods will break free of them and come and worship their creator, the God of Israel. Compare 82:2 and note.

The Lord And the Nations NDBT

glorify your name See v. 12, where the psalmist commits to glorifying God’s name after he is transformed (compare v. 11).

86:10 you alone are God The Hebrew word used here, elohim, often emphasizes God’s status as the supreme deity; He is the creator of all, including other spiritual beings.

86:11 Unite my heart The psalmist asks God to transform his heart to have a singular and undivided reverence for God.

to fear your name Refers to revering, honoring, and obeying God (see 90:11 and note). God’s name (yhwh in Hebrew) represents His reputation

86:13 Sheol The Hebrew word she’ol is used here (see note on Job 14:13; note on 1 Kgs 2:6). The psalmist equates God’s work in His life as equivalent to being redeemed from the underworld. In ancient Hebrew thought, she’ol was believed to be below the earth.

86:14–17 Up to this point, the psalmist has not given much attention to his enemies. Even now, he mainly characterizes his enemies by their impiety—they are insolent and do not honor God (Ps 86:14). The psalmist emphasizes the goodness of God’s nature in traditional—but personalized—terms (v. 15; compare Exod 34:6), and closes by emphasizing his role as a servant of God (Ps 86:16) who is asking for a sign of God’s favor (v. 17).

86:15 you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God This verse is essentially a quotation of Exod 34:6, which summarizes God’s nature. However, Exod 34:6 uses yhwh (Yahweh; see Ps 86:1 and note) while v. 15 uses adonay (see v. 2 and note).

are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger See Exod 34:6.

86:17 a sign that benefits A request for God’s rescue. God would validate the psalmist by delivering him.

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