If Psalm 85 is a plea for God to help His people as a whole, in today’s psalm, David asks God to be gracious to him as an individual. In fact, verses 8 and 10 remind us all that prayer should be our first response even to our most difficult circumstances. After all, since there’s nothing else, and no one else who has the kind of power our God has, why should we look elsewhere for deliverance?

But if we want our prayers to be heard, we must be in a right relationship with God. That’s why in verse 11 David asks God to teach him His will, and promises to walk in His ways. But that’s also why David responds to God the way he does in verse 12: even while he’s still in the midst of his tremendous problems, he is so certain that God will deliver him that he breaks out in thanksgiving and worship. He thus demonstrates not only obedience to God, but supreme trust in God.

And why is David’s faith so great? Not only because of God’s great power, but also because of His great love. In verse 13, David not only speaks of God’s lovingkindness, His faithful, covenant-keeping love. He also remembers how God has demonstrated that love to him in the past. So, when in verse 15 David repeats the description God gave of Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6 – that God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth – this isn’t merely academic. It’s personal.

And the same God extends the same love and power today to those who come to him in the same sort of faith and repentance. After all, David said in verse 9 that all the nations would one day come and worship God because of Who He is and what He has done. Will we join them today?

Psalm 86 (NASB)

A Prayer of David.
Incline Thine ear, O LORD, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.
2 Do preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O Thou my God, save Thy servant who trusts in Thee.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to Thee I cry all day long.
4 Make glad the soul of Thy servant, For to Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications!
7 In the day of my trouble I shall call upon Thee, For Thou wilt answer me.
8 There is no one like Thee among the gods, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Thine.
9 All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord; And they shall glorify Thy name.
10 For Thou art great and doest wondrous deeds; Thou alone art God.
11 Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name.
12 I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Thy name forever.
13 For Thy lovingkindness toward me is great, And Thou hast delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, And a band of violent men have sought my life, And they have not set Thee before them.
15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Thy strength to Thy servant, And save the son of Thy handmaid.
17 Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it, and be ashamed, Because Thou, O LORD, hast helped me and comforted me.