Psalms 86:17

KJV

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see [it], and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Shew {H6213}{H8798)} me a token {H226} for good {H2896}; that they which hate {H8130}{H8802)} me may see {H7200}{H8799)} it, and be ashamed {H954}{H8799)}: because thou, LORD {H3068}, hast holpen {H5826}{H8804)} me, and comforted {H5162}{H8765)} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Give me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me will see it and be ashamed, because you, Adonai, have helped and comforted me.

Berean Standard Bible

Show me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see and be ashamed; for You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

American Standard Version

Show me a token for good, That they who hate me may see it, and be put to shame, Because thou, Jehovah, hast helped me, and comforted me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 86:17 concludes David's earnest prayer of supplication, expressing his profound trust in God amidst severe distress and opposition. It encapsulates his fervent plea for a visible, undeniable manifestation of divine favor and help, serving not only as personal assurance but also as a public vindication of God's faithfulness before his adversaries. David's confidence in this request is firmly rooted in his past experiences of the Lord's consistent and compassionate aid.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 86 is uniquely titled "A Prayer of David," signifying its deeply personal and supplicatory nature. Throughout the psalm, David pours out his heart to God, appealing to His character as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in truth and steadfast love, as explicitly stated in [Psalm 86:15](/psalms/86-15 "Psalm 86:15 - God's Compassion and Mercy"). The psalm moves through various petitions for deliverance from enemies, divine guidance, and strength in weakness, all underscored by David's profound dependence on the Lord. Verse 17 serves as the climactic request, a culmination of his pleas for God's active intervention and a public display of His unwavering faithfulness, bringing the psalm to a confident, expectant close.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life, as chronicled in the Old Testament, was perpetually marked by conflict and opposition, whether from King Saul, his own son Absalom, or various foreign adversaries. The phrase "they which hate me" reflects the very real and often life-threatening nature of these antagonisms. In the ancient Near Eastern honor-shame culture, public perception and reputation were paramount. For David's enemies to "see [it], and be ashamed" implies a desired public humiliation and reversal of fortunes, where God's clear favor upon His servant would expose the futility and error of their opposition. The "token" (Hebrew: *ʾōṯ*) carries significant weight, often referring to a miraculous sign or wonder, similar to those given to Moses or prophets, indicating an undeniable, public demonstration of divine power rather than merely a private assurance.

* **Key Themes:** This concluding verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes present in Psalm 86 and the Psalter as a whole. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Vindication** is central; David desires God to act not only for his personal deliverance but also for the public demonstration of His justice and righteousness, silencing mockers and shaming those who oppose His chosen servant. This echoes a recurring prayer in the Psalms for God to [turn the tables on the adversaries of the righteous](/psalms/35-26 "Psalm 35:26 - Shame of Adversaries"). Secondly, the theme of **God's Faithfulness and Comfort** provides the bedrock for David's bold request. His plea is not presumptuous but grounded in his personal history of God's consistent help and comfort in past trials, building his confidence for the present need. This remembrance of God's past mercies fuels his present faith, a theme frequently found in psalms of trust, such as [Psalm 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalm 23:4 - Comfort in the Valley") which speaks of God's comforting presence even in the darkest valleys. Finally, the **Prayer for a Visible Sign** highlights that David is not merely seeking internal peace but an outward, tangible manifestation of God's hand that even his enemies cannot deny, thereby bringing glory to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Token (Hebrew, _ʾōṯ'_):** This word signifies a sign, a distinguishing mark, a wonder, or a miracle. In this context, it implies something tangible, demonstrable, and undeniable that serves as proof or confirmation of divine presence and favor. David is not merely asking for an internal feeling of peace, but for an outward, visible manifestation of God's intervention that would be evident to all, especially his enemies.
* **Holpen (Hebrew, _ʿāzar'_):** An archaic King James Version translation for "helped." The Hebrew verb means to aid, succor, support, or give assistance. Its use here emphasizes God's active, strong, and consistent intervention in David's life, highlighting a history of divine assistance that forms the basis of David's current plea.
* **Ashamed (Hebrew, _bôš'_):** To be put to shame, confounded, disappointed, or disgraced. In the context of David's enemies, this refers to their public humiliation and defeat when they witness God's clear favor upon David. Their opposition will be exposed as futile and their arrogance turned to disgrace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shew me a token for good":** David's earnest and direct plea to God for a clear, visible, and undeniable sign of His favor and blessing upon him. This "token" is not a test of God's power or willingness, but a request for a public demonstration of His active presence and benevolent hand in David's life, affirming His covenant faithfulness.
* **"that they which hate me may see [it], and be ashamed":** This clause explicitly states the purpose and desired outcome of the "token." The sign is intended to be a public display, causing David's adversaries to witness God's intervention, which will lead to their humiliation, confusion, and ultimate defeat. Their opposition, rooted in malice, will be exposed as powerless against the Lord's chosen servant.
* **"because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me":** This final clause provides the profound theological and experiential basis for David's bold request. His plea is not presumptuous but deeply grounded in his personal history and unwavering experience of God's consistent and faithful help and comfort in past trials. This remembrance of God's past mercies fuels his present faith and forms the unshakeable foundation of his petition.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary techniques to convey its powerful message. There is an implicit **Parallelism** between the request for a "token" and its desired outcome, where the first clause establishes the petition and the subsequent clauses detail its public and personal impact. The structure also demonstrates a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship: because God has helped and comforted David in the past, he confidently asks for a present "token" that will lead to his enemies' shame. David's prayer is also a profound **Appeal to Ethos** (character) and **Pathos** (emotion). By recalling God's consistent help and comfort, David appeals to God's faithful character as the basis for His continued intervention. Simultaneously, his plea for a "token" in the face of hatred conveys his vulnerability and earnest desire for divine vindication, evoking a sense of urgency and distress. Finally, the verse presents a stark **Contrast** between the enemies' present arrogance and their anticipated future shame, highlighting God's ultimate triumph over opposition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 86:17 profoundly underscores God's character as a faithful Vindicator and Comforter. David's prayer is not merely for personal relief but for God's glory to be publicly displayed through His intervention. It reveals that God's faithfulness to His people often involves a public demonstration of His power, serving as a testimony to both believers and unbelievers. This verse connects to the broader biblical theme of divine justice, where God ultimately rights wrongs and brings shame upon those who oppose His righteous purposes, ensuring that His name is glorified through the vindication of His servants. It also speaks to the enduring nature of God's covenant loyalty, reminding believers that His past faithfulness is a guarantee of His future help.

* [Psalm 40:15](/psalms/40-15 "Psalm 40:15 - Shame of Enemies")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Help and Strength")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God is For Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 86:17 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating trials and opposition today. Like David, we are invited to pray with boldness, not presumptuously, but with a deep trust rooted in God's proven character. When facing challenges, whether from external adversaries or internal doubts, we can confidently ask God for clear, undeniable signs of His working in our lives. This verse also serves as a powerful reminder to intentionally recall and meditate on God's past faithfulness—how He has "holpen" and "comforted" us in previous seasons of difficulty. This practice builds a robust foundation of trust, strengthening our faith for present and future challenges. Furthermore, when unfairly treated, maligned, or opposed for our faith, we can pray for God to reveal His righteousness and silence accusers, trusting that He will ultimately bring justice and shame upon those who oppose His truth. This aligns with the biblical principle of leaving vengeance to the Lord, knowing that His vindication is perfect and timely. The verse reminds us that God is not only our private Comforter but also our public Vindicator, whose glory is revealed through His unwavering faithfulness to His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen your faith in present difficulties?**
* **In what situations might you pray for a "token for good" to be evident to others, especially those who oppose you or God's truth?**
* **How does the desire for God's public vindication align with or challenge your understanding of humility and personal suffering?**

### FAQ
**Is David asking for a miracle or a test of God in this verse?**

Answer: David is not asking for a test of God's power or willingness to act. Instead, his plea for a "token for good" is a confident request, rooted in his deep trust and past experience of God's faithfulness. He desires a clear, undeniable demonstration of God's favor and intervention, not out of doubt, but for the public glory of God and his own vindication before his enemies. It's a prayer for God to make His presence and power evident, serving as a testimony to all.

**What does it mean for David's enemies to "be ashamed"?**

Answer: In this context, "be ashamed" refers to the public humiliation, confusion, and ultimate defeat of David's enemies when they witness God's clear intervention and favor on David's behalf. It signifies a reversal of fortunes, where those who mocked, opposed, or sought to harm God's servant are exposed as wrong, powerless, and ultimately disgraced. It's about God's justice being visibly enacted, silencing the accusations and vindicating the righteous.

**How does this verse apply to believers today who might not face physical enemies but spiritual opposition or public scorn for their faith?**

Answer: The principle of Psalms 86:17 extends powerfully to the spiritual battles and public challenges believers face today. We can pray for God to reveal His power and truth in our lives and circumstances, silencing the accusations of the spiritual enemy and demonstrating His faithfulness to a watching world. This might manifest as visible peace in trials, unexpected provision, clear guidance, or the transformation of lives, all serving as a "token for good" that testifies to God's reality and power, shaming those who doubt or oppose the gospel message.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 86:17, with its plea for a "token for good" and the promise of divine help and comfort, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the supreme "token" of God's favor and love towards humanity, the visible manifestation of the invisible God, as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." God "shewed" us His ultimate "good" in sending His Son, demonstrating His love for us while we were still sinners ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). The ultimate "shaming" of those who hate God and oppose His purposes occurred at the cross and resurrection, where Christ triumphed over principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). His resurrection is the undeniable "token" that God has "holpen" and "comforted" humanity, conquering sin and death, and offering eternal life to all who believe ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). In Christ, believers find their ultimate help, comfort, and vindication, as He is the "God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles" ([2 Corinthians 1:3-4](/2_corinthians/1-3 "2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - God of All Comfort")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 41:10

But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

Psalms 41:11

By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

Judges 6:17

And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.

Psalms 71:20

[Thou], which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

Psalms 71:21

Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

Micah 7:8

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

Micah 7:10

Then [she that is] mine enemy shall see [it], and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.