Psalms 86:13

Commentary on Psalms 86:13 KJV

Psalms 86:13: "For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell."

Context

Psalm 86 is a deeply personal prayer of David, often categorized as a "Prayer of David." Throughout the psalm, David expresses his dependence on God, acknowledging his own humility and distress while appealing to God's character as merciful, gracious, and abundant in truth. He faces enemies and seeks divine guidance and protection. Verse 13 serves as a powerful declaration of gratitude and a testament to God's past faithfulness, providing a foundation for David's continued pleas for help. It highlights a moment of profound deliverance, which strengthens his faith and expectation for future intervention.

Key Themes

• God's Abundant Mercy: The opening phrase, "great is thy mercy toward me," emphasizes the boundless nature of God's loving-kindness. This isn't just a fleeting feeling but a steadfast, covenantal love (Hebrew: chesed) that is actively demonstrated. David experiences this mercy personally and profoundly.
• Divine Deliverance from Utter Peril: The phrase "delivered my soul from the lowest hell" speaks to God's incredible power to rescue from the most extreme dangers or deepest despair. This could refer to a literal near-death experience, a profound spiritual or emotional crisis, or being brought back from the brink of utter destruction. It underscores God's ability to save when all hope seems lost.
• Personal Testimony and Gratitude: David's declaration is a powerful personal testimony of God's intervention in his life. It fosters a spirit of gratitude and reinforces his trust in God's ongoing help.

Linguistic Insights

• The word "mercy" in Hebrew is chesed (חֶסֶד), a rich theological term often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty." It signifies God's faithful, active, and enduring love, particularly within the context of His covenant relationship with His people. It is far more profound than mere pity.
• "Lowest hell" translates the Hebrew phrase Sheol tahtit (שְׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּית). Sheol typically refers to the grave, the realm of the dead, or the underworld in general. The addition of "lowest" (tahtit) intensifies this, suggesting the deepest possible pit, the most severe affliction, or the very brink of annihilation. While later theology developed concepts of eternal damnation, in this Old Testament context, it primarily refers to a rescue from existential peril, grave illness, or overwhelming despair that threatened to consume life itself. It is a rescue from the power of death or the forces that lead to it, as seen in Psalms 30:3, where God "brought up my soul from the grave."

Related Scriptures

This verse beautifully resonates with other scriptures that speak of God's boundless compassion and power to save:

• God's great mercy is a consistent theme throughout the Psalms, notably in Psalms 103:11, which states, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him."
• The concept of deliverance from profound despair or the "pit" is also seen in Jonah's prayer from the belly of the great fish, where he cried out, "Out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice."
• David's reliance on God's mercy and steadfast love is a hallmark of his prayers, similar to his appeal for God's steadfast love and faithfulness in Psalms 57:3.

Practical Application

Psalms 86:13 offers profound encouragement for believers today:

• Hope in Despair: No matter how deep the "pit" of despair, sickness, or difficulty, God's mercy is greater and His arm is long enough to deliver. This verse is a powerful reminder that there is always hope in God.
• Gratitude for Deliverance: It calls us to reflect on past instances of God's intervention in our lives and to express heartfelt gratitude for His faithfulness. Remembering His past mercies strengthens our faith for future challenges.
• Foundation for Prayer: Just as David based his future requests on God's character and past actions, we too can approach God with confidence, knowing that His mercy endures forever and He is capable of saving us from any situation.