(1) Overview
(BKC) Because God is good and forgiving, and because He is incomparably able to do great things, the psalmist petitioned Him to show His strength in the face of opposition from the proud.
(2) Outline
(2) Outline
(Kel Ps)
I. Acknowledging that God is good and merciful, the psalmist prays for mercy in his time of trouble so that he might again rejoice (1–7).
A. [He bases his plea on the grounds that he is God''s servant] He makes his plea with earnest petitions that God answer him, protect him, be merciful to him and give him reason to rejoice (1–4).
B. He bases his plea on the grounds that God is good, forgiving, and faithful (5).
C. He is confident that when he calls in his time of trouble God will answer his prayer (6–7).
II. Acknowledging that God is incomparably able to do anything, the psalmist prays for instruction in God’s ways so that he might worship the LORD with an undivided heart and praise him wholeheartedly for delivering him from death (8–13).
A. [key words: He is great] He attests that God is incomparable and able to do what he asks (8–10).
B. [Key words: wholeheartedly. Author's reflection: Since He is so great, do I give Him the appropriate honor in my heart?] He prays for instruction that he might serve God and praise him [wholeheartedly] (11–13).
1. God should instruct him and unite his heart in devotion (11).
2. He will then praise God wholeheartedly for his great love that delivered him from the grave (12–13).
III. Noting how the arrogant have risen up against him, the psalmist asks for God’s strength so that he might be saved, and for a sign of God’s goodness that he has helped him and will put his enemies to shame (14–17).
A. He laments that his proud enemies [who do not respect God] have risen against him (14).
B. He praises God for his greatness and his grace (15).
C. He prays for strength from God to be delivered, asking for a sign of God’s answer (16–17).
Reflection: Although there are many proud and arrogant people who do not respect God we shall have no fear of them. Do you see the greatest of our God? Is God enough for you?
(3) Key verses:
86:11 O LORD, teach me how you want me to live!
Then I will obey your commands.
Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!
86:12 O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks with my whole heart!
I will honor your name continually!
Then I will obey your commands.
Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!
86:12 O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks with my whole heart!
I will honor your name continually!
Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!=(NET) Heb “Bind my heart to the fearing of your name.” ...To “fear” God’s name means to have a healthy respect for him which in turn motivates one to obey his commands (see Pss 61:5; 102:15).
86:13 For you will extend your great loyal love to me,
and will deliver my life from the depths of Sheol.
Even the author pleaded for God to hear his prayer multiple times, he was sure that God would answer his prayer v.6-7. Not only God would hear him, God would also save him.
and will deliver my life from the depths of Sheol.
Even the author pleaded for God to hear his prayer multiple times, he was sure that God would answer his prayer v.6-7. Not only God would hear him, God would also save him.
In v.5, 13, and 15 the word, "loyal love" or "faithfulness" was repeated and means, "kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures (BDB)." Our Creator is loyal to His creatures which is unreasonable. In 86:13 the author also added that this loyal love is great because He delivers him from the "depths" of Sheol the grave.
Summary: The author was confident that God would deliver him from deep trouble because of the great loyal love of God and therefore he asked God to have him a healthy respect for God. And from that respect of God he wanted to be motivated to obey Him.
Reflection: We have already tasted the great salvation of God. Do we see the love of God from our salvation? If yes, we should have a healthy respect for God. If not, we can ask God like the author did. Most importantly, when we have that respect we should be motivated to obey Him.
Audrey
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