Psa 86 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 86:1-17: Ps 86 The psalmist invokes God’s help and praises his character in a lament prompted by the presence of evil (86:14 , 17 ). All people will worship the gracious and almighty God (86:8-10 ). To this end, the poet commits himself to a lifestyle of ethical integrity (86:11 ) and praising the Lord (86:12-13 ). The last stanza contrasts the qualities of evil people with those of the Lord (86:14-17 ). 86:title This is the only psalm connected with David in Book Three. Summary for Ps 86:1-4: 86:1-4 God’s devoted servant prays for mercy. The psalmist sees himself as a member of the covenant community and as a citizen of the world.

Summary for Ps 86:1-17: Ps 86 ^a The psalmist invokes God’s help and praises his character in a lament prompted by the presence of evil (86:14 ^b, 17 ^c). All people will worship the gracious and almighty God (86:8-10 ^d). To this end, the poet commits himself to a lifestyle of ethical integrity (86:11 ^e) and praising the Lord (86:12-13 ^f). The last stanza contrasts the qualities of evil people with those of the Lord (86:14-17 ^g). 86:title ^h This is the only psalm connected with David in Book Three.
Summary for Ps 86:1-4: 86:1-4 ⁱ God’s devoted servant prays for mercy. The psalmist sees himself as a member of the covenant community and as a citizen of the world.
Summary for Ps 86:5-7: 86:5-7 ^j The psalmist appeals to God to remain true to his character, which is the basis for hope. 86:5 ^k The psalmist recounts the catalog of divine perfections (Exod 34:6-7 ^l), especially God’s willingness to forgive sin (see Pss 32:5 ^m; 85:2 ⁿ; 145:7-10 ^o).
Summary for Ps 86:8-10: 86:8-10 ^p All the nations must submit themselves to the Lord and worship him (45:17 ^q; 117:1 ^r; 148:7-11 ^s).
86:11 ^t The poet responds to the Lord by seeking faithful instruction in the truth.

• An individual with purity of heart has integrity and wholeness (see 73:1 ^u).
Summary for Ps 86:12-13: 86:12-13 ^v In anticipation of God’s rescue, the psalmist praises him and trusts in his goodness.
Summary for Ps 86:14-17: 86:14-17 ^w The arrogant exist both inside and outside the community. The psalmist asks for a vision of God’s character; God is so great that just a glimpse of his goodness will shut the mouths of the wicked.
86:15 ^x God has mercy on his people (51:1 ^y); he is gracious (25:6 ^z), slow to get angry (103:8 ^aa; 145:8 ^ab), and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness (Hebrew khesed and ’emeth; 143:1 ^ac). This verse repeats a theme first expressed in Exod 34:7 ^ad; Num 14:18 ^ae (cp. Pss 103:8 ^af; 145:8 ^ag; Neh 9:17 ^ah; Joel 2:13 ^ai; Jon 4:2 ^aj).