TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 86:1–7. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
This psalm was published under the title of a prayer of David; not as if David sung all his prayers, but into some of his songs he inserted prayers; for a psalm will admit the expressions of any pious and devout affections. But it is observable how very plain the language of this psalm is, and how little there is in it of poetic flights or figures, in comparison with some other psalms; for the flourishes of wit are not the proper ornaments of prayer. Now here we may observe,
I.The petitions he puts up to God.
It is true, prayer accidentally may preach, but it is most fit that (as it is in this prayer) every passage should be directed to God, for such is the nature of prayer as it is here described (Psa 86:4): Unto thee, O Lord! do I lift up my soul, as he had said Psa 25:1. In all the parts of prayer the soul must ascend upon the wings of faith and holy desire, and be lifted up to God, to meet the communications of his grace, and in an expectation raised very high of great things from him.
1.He begs that God would give a gracious audience to his prayers (Psa 86:1): Bow down thy ear, O Lord! hear me. When God hears our prayers it is fitly said that he bows down his ear to them, for it is admirable condescension in God that he is pleased to take notice of such mean creatures as we are and such defective prayers as ours are. He repeats this again (Psa 86:6): "Give ear, O Lord! unto my prayer, a favourable ear, though it be whispered, though it be stammered; attend to the voice of my supplications." Not that God needs to have his affection stirred up by any thing that we can say; but thus we must express our desire of his favour. The Son of David spoke it with assurance and pleasure (Joh 11:41, Joh 11:42), Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me; and I know that thou hearest me always.
2.He begs that God would take him under his special protection, and so be the author of his salvation (Psa 86:2): Preserve my soul; save thy servant. It was David's soul that was God's servant; for those only serve God acceptably that serve him with their spirits. David's concern is about his soul; if we understand it of his natural life, it teaches us that the best self-preservation is to commit ourselves to God's keeping and by faith and prayer to make our Creator our preserver. But it may be understood of his spiritual life, the life of the soul as distinct from the body: "Preserve my soul from that one evil and dangerous thing to souls, even from sin; preserve my soul, and so save me." All those whom God will save he preserves, and will preserve them to his heavenly kingdom.
3.He begs that God would look upon him with an eye of pity and compassion (Psa 86:3): Be merciful to me, O Lord! It is mercy in God to pardon our sins and to help us out of our distresses; both these are included in this prayer, God be merciful to me. "Men show no mercy; we ourselves deserve no mercy, but, Lord, for mercy-sake, be merciful unto me." 4. He begs that God would fill him with inward comfort (Psa 86:4): Rejoice the soul of thy servant. It is God only that can put gladness into the heart and make the soul to rejoice, and then, and not till then, the joy is full; and, as it is the duty of those who are God's servants to serve him with gladness, so it is their privilege to be filled with joy and peace in believing, and they may in faith pray, not only that God will preserve their souls, but that he will rejoice their souls, and the joy of the Lord will be their strength. Observe, When he prays, Rejoice my soul, he adds, For unto thee do I lift up my soul. Then we may expect comfort from God when we take care to keep up our communion with God: prayer is the nurse of spiritual joy.
II.The pleas with which he enforces these petitions.
1. He pleads his relation to God and interest in him: "Thou art my God, to whom I have devoted myself, and on whom I depend, and I am thy servant (Psa 86:2), in subjection to thee, and therefore looking for protection from thee." 2. He pleads his distress: "Hear me, for I am poor and needy, therefore I want thy help, therefore none else will hear me." God is the poor man's King, whose glory it is to save the souls of the needy; those who are poor in spirit, who see themselves empty and necessitous, are most welcome to the God of all grace. 3. He pleads God's good will towards all that seek him (Psa 86:5): "To thee do I lift up my soul in desire and expectation; for thou, Lord, art good;" and whither should beggars go but to the door of the good house-keeper? The goodness of God's nature is a great encouragement to us in all our addresses to him. His goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving. (1.) He is a sin-pardoning God; not only he can forgive, but he is ready to forgive, more ready to forgive than we are to repent. I said, I will confess, and thou forgavest, Psa 32:5. (2.) He is a prayer-hearing God; he is plenteous in mercy, very full, and very free, both rich and liberal unto all those that call upon him; he has wherewithal to supply all their needs and is openhanded in granting that supply. 4. He pleads God's good work in himself, by which he had qualified him for the tokens of his favour. Three things were wrought in him by divine grace, which he looked upon as earnests of all good: - (1.) A conformity to God (Psa 86:2): I am holy, therefore preserve my soul; for those whom the Spirit sanctifies he will preserve. He does not say this in pride and vain glory, but with humble thankfulness to God. I am one whom thou favourest (so the margin reads it), whom thou hast set apart for thyself. If God has begun a good work of grace in us, we must own that the time was a time of love. Then was I in his eyes as one that found favour, and whom God hath taken into his favour he will take under his protection. All his saints are in thy hand, Deu 33:3. Observe, I am needy (Psa 86:1), yet I am holy (Psa 86:2), holy and yet needy, poor in the world, but rich in faith. Those who preserve their purity in their greatest poverty may assure themselves that God will preserve their comforts, will preserve their souls. (2.) A confidence in God: Save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Those that are holy must nevertheless not trust in themselves, nor in their own righteousness, but only in God and his grace. Those that trust in God may expect salvation from him. (3.) A disposition to communion with God. He hopes God will answer his prayers, because he had inclined him to pray. [1.] To be constant in prayer: I cry unto thee daily, and all the day, Psa 86:3. It is thus our duty to pray always, without ceasing, and to continue instant in prayer; and then we may hope to have our prayers heard which we make in the time of trouble, if we have made conscience of the duty at other times, at all times. It is comfortable if an affliction finds the wheels of prayer a-going, and that hey are not then to be set a-going. [2.] To be inward with God in prayer, to lift up his soul to him, Psa 86:4. Then we may hope that God will meet us with his mercies, when we in our prayers send forth our souls as it were to meet him. [3.] To be in a special manner earnest with God in prayer when he was in affliction (Psa 86:7): "In the day of my trouble, whatever others do, I will call upon thee, and commit my case to thee, for thou wilt hear and answer me, and I shall not seek in vain, as those did who cried, O Baal! hear us; but there was no voice, nor any that regarded," Kg1 18:29.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Therefore, the Word is our educator who heals the unnatural passions of our soul with his counsel. The art of healing, strictly speaking, is the relief of the ills of the body, an art learned through human wisdom. Yet, the only true divine healer of human sickness, the holy comforter of the soul when it is ill, is the Word of the Father. Scripture says, “Save your servant, O my God, who puts his trust in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, because I have cried to you the whole day through.” In the words of Democritus, “The healer, by his art, cures the body of its diseases, but it is wisdom that rids the spirit of its ills.” The good educator of little ones, however, Wisdom, the Word of the Father, who created human beings, concerns himself with the whole creation, and as the physician of the whole person heals both body and soul.
"Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I have cried unto You all day" [Psalm 86:3]. Not "one day:" understand "all day" to mean continually: from the time that the body of Christ groans being in afflictions, until the end of the world, when afflictions pass away, that man groans and calls upon God: and each one of us after his measure has his part in that cry in the whole body. You have cried in your days, and your days have passed away: another has come after you, and cried in his days: and thou here, he there, another elsewhere: the body of Christ cries all the day, its members departing and succeeding one another. One Man it is that reaches to the end of the world: the same members of Christ cry, and some members already rest in Him, some still cry, some when we shall be at rest will cry, and after them others will cry. It is the whole body of Christ whose voice He hears, saying, "Unto You have I cried all the day." Our Head on the right hand of the Father intercedes for us: some members He recovers, others He scourges, others He cleanses, others He comforts, others He is creating, others calling, others recalling, others correcting, others restoring.
He adds, “His name is holy and to be feared.” “Holy” pertains to the incarnation, as he himself says, “Guard my soul because I am holy.” “To be feared” pertains to the omnipotence of his divine nature on high, just as is said in another psalm, “You are to be feared, and who can oppose you?” These two phrases pertain to this purpose so that we may call upon him as our advocate and fear him as our judge. Both of those things have been skillfully joined so that love alone may not render us negligent or fear alone may not make us only devoid of hope.
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Summary
Psalms 86:3 presents a profound and earnest plea from King David, encapsulating the essence of a believer's walk: an unwavering, humble dependence on divine mercy through persistent, daily prayer. This verse serves as a concise yet powerful testament to David's deep trust in God's compassionate nature, highlighting a life lived in conscious, continuous reliance on the Lord's grace amidst personal distress and external challenges.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 86, uniquely titled "A Prayer of David," stands out in the Psalter as a deeply personal lament that seamlessly blends elements of supplication, confession, trust, and praise. It is a composite prayer, reflecting various facets of David's relationship with God, often categorized as an individual lament but imbued with strong notes of confidence and praise. The psalm begins with an immediate and urgent appeal for God's attention and mercy (vv. 1-3), establishing a tone of vulnerability and heartfelt communication. Verse 3, "Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily," serves as the foundational request, grounding David's subsequent pleas in his consistent, ongoing communion with God. This initial cry for mercy sets the stage for the psalm's exploration of God's character (e.g., His goodness and readiness to forgive in Psalm 86:5, and His compassion in Psalm 86:15), David's distress (e.g., Psalm 86:1, Psalm 86:4), and his ultimate trust in divine deliverance (e.g., Psalm 86:16-17). The "daily" crying underscores the intimate and continuous nature of David's relationship with the Almighty, portraying prayer not as an occasional act but as a vital, sustained lifeline.
Historical & Cultural Context: As "A Prayer of David," this psalm likely emerged from a period of significant personal or national distress for the king. While the specific occasion is not stated, David's life was marked by numerous trials—persecution by Saul, rebellion by Absalom, various wars, and personal failings (such as his sin with Bathsheba, reflected in Psalm 51). In ancient Israel, kings were seen as mediators between God and the people, and their personal piety and relationship with Yahweh were paramount for the nation's well-being. David's public and private prayers, like this one, would have served as models of devotion for his subjects. The concept of "mercy" (Hebrew: ḥanan) was deeply rooted in the covenant relationship, implying God's gracious favor and compassion, often extended to the vulnerable or those in distress. It speaks to God's character as one who is inclined to show kindness and respond favorably to humble pleas. While not as formalized as later rabbinic traditions, daily prayer was an established practice, reflecting a cultural understanding that God was accessible and attentive to the fervent prayers of His people, regardless of their status or the specific time of day.
Key Themes:
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root (H2603) signifies "to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow." It implies an active demonstration of kindness, grace, or unmerited favor, often in response to a plea from one who is weaker or in need. It speaks to God's character as one who actively intervenes to help, to grant a request, or to show clemency. The imperative form "Be merciful unto me" is a fervent request for God to act according to His gracious and compassionate nature, not based on the petitioner's worthiness.
This primitive root (H7121) means "to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)." In the context of prayer, it denotes an earnest, often urgent, and audible appeal, not a casual whisper. It conveys intensity, distress, and a desperate need for divine intervention. It suggests a vocal and heartfelt outpouring of the soul, indicating the depth of David's reliance and the urgency of his situation, moving beyond mere thought to an expressed petition.
This word (H3117) literally means "a day." The KJV translates the Hebrew idiom yôm yôm (day, day) as "daily." This emphatic repetition powerfully emphasizes the regularity, consistency, and unbroken habit of David's prayer. It signifies that his crying out to God was not an occasional act reserved for crises, but an ongoing, continuous practice that characterized his life and relationship with the Lord. It speaks to a profound and intimate devotional discipline, highlighting the perpetual nature of his dependence.
Verse Breakdown
"Be merciful unto me, O Lord"
This is a direct, imperative appeal to God, expressing a deep and humble need. David, despite his royal status, positions himself as one in need of unmerited favor and compassion. The address "O Lord" (Hebrew: ʼĂdônây' - H136) emphasizes God's sovereignty, mastery, and authority, acknowledging Him as the one who possesses the power and the inherent right to grant mercy. This opening clause sets the tone of humble supplication, recognizing God's character as the ultimate source of all grace and benevolent action.
"for I cry unto thee daily."
This clause provides the justification or reason for David's plea for mercy. The conjunction "for" (Hebrew: kî) indicates a causal relationship: "because I cry to You daily, therefore, be merciful to me." David is not demanding mercy based on his merit, but rather presenting his consistent and fervent devotion as evidence of his trust and profound dependence. His "daily cry" demonstrates a living, active faith and a continuous reliance on God, which he implicitly presents as a basis for God's compassionate response. It is a testament to his unwavering commitment to seeking God's face, a posture that invites divine favor.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its emotional and theological impact. Apostrophe is prominently evident in the direct address "O Lord," where David speaks directly to God as if He were present and listening. This device intensifies the personal and intimate nature of the prayer, inviting the reader into David's direct communion with the divine. The phrase "I cry unto thee daily" utilizes Emphasis through repetition (yom yom in Hebrew), which, while translated as "daily," literally means "day, day." This emphatic repetition vividly conveys the consistent, persistent, and habitual nature of David's communion with God, underscoring the depth of his reliance and the continuous flow of his prayer life. Furthermore, there is an implicit Cause and Effect relationship established by the conjunction "for," linking David's persistent prayer to his expectation of divine mercy. This structure highlights a theological principle: that God responds to the earnest and consistent seeking of His people, not as a transaction, but as a loving Father responding to a dependent child.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 86:3 profoundly articulates the accessibility of God and the efficacy of persistent prayer. It underscores that God's mercy is not a scarce commodity, but an abundant attribute of His character, freely extended to those who seek Him with a humble and contrite heart. David's "daily cry" models a life lived in constant communion, demonstrating that our relationship with God is meant to be an ongoing dialogue, not merely a crisis intervention. This verse invites believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, knowing that He is both willing and able to respond to our pleas, not based on our perfection, but on His perfect love and faithfulness. It teaches us that true dependence on God expresses itself in consistent, heartfelt communication, reinforcing the timeless truth that the Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth.
Reflection and Application
Psalms 86:3 offers a timeless blueprint for the believer's prayer life, encouraging us to cultivate a habit of consistent, heartfelt communion with God. It reminds us that our access to the divine is not limited to moments of extreme crisis but is an open invitation for every day, every moment. Just as David, a powerful king, humbly acknowledged his constant need for God's mercy, so too are we, in all our circumstances, called to recognize our profound dependence on divine grace. This verse challenges us to move beyond sporadic prayers and to embrace prayer as a continuous, vital breath of our spiritual existence. When we cry out to the Lord daily, we not only express our trust but also deepen our intimacy with Him, allowing His mercy to shape our character, guide our steps, and transform our perspective. It is in this consistent seeking that we truly experience the comfort, strength, and guidance that only God can provide, turning our anxieties into opportunities for deeper faith and our weaknesses into platforms for His power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does King David, a powerful ruler, need to "cry daily" for mercy?
David's need for mercy, despite his kingship, highlights a fundamental truth about human existence and our relationship with God. Even a powerful king like David was subject to human frailty, sin, and external threats. His daily cry for mercy was not a sign of weakness but of profound wisdom and spiritual maturity. It acknowledged his personal limitations, his need for forgiveness for his sins (as seen in Psalm 51), and his constant reliance on God's protection and guidance in the face of enemies and the burdens of leadership. It demonstrates that true spiritual strength comes from humble dependence on God, not from earthly power or self-sufficiency.
What does "daily" truly mean in the context of our prayer life today? Is it literal 24/7 prayer?
The term "daily" (Hebrew: yom yom) emphasizes consistency, regularity, and an ongoing habit, rather than a literal 24/7 non-stop vocalization. It signifies that prayer is not an occasional activity but a continuous posture of the heart and mind. For us today, it means cultivating a lifestyle of prayer where communication with God is woven into the fabric of our daily routines. This can include dedicated times of prayer, but also spontaneous moments of praise, petition, and thanksgiving throughout the day. It's about maintaining an open line of communication with God, bringing our joys, anxieties, and needs to Him continually, as encouraged in Philippians 4:6-7, which instructs us to "not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Is this plea for mercy only relevant for those in distress, or does it apply to all believers?
While David's prayer often arose from distress, the principle of seeking God's mercy "daily" is universally applicable to all believers, regardless of their immediate circumstances. We all live in a fallen world, are prone to sin, and face daily challenges, temptations, and uncertainties. God's mercy is not just for crisis moments but is the very air we breathe spiritually—His unmerited favor, forgiveness, and sustaining grace. Therefore, a daily cry for mercy is an acknowledgment of our ongoing need for God's grace to navigate life, to overcome sin, and to live in accordance with His will. It is a foundational aspect of walking humbly with our God, as taught in Micah 6:8, which states, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 86:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's mercy and the perfect model of daily, dependent prayer. The "mercy" David cries out for is fully revealed in Christ, for He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the ultimate expression of God's compassionate love for humanity. Through His atoning sacrifice, God's mercy is not merely extended but is poured out in full, making a way for us to approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace in time of need. Furthermore, Jesus Himself perfectly exemplified the "daily cry" to the Father. Throughout the Gospels, we see Him consistently withdrawing to lonely places to pray, often spending entire nights in prayer, demonstrating a life lived in constant, intimate communion and profound dependence on God. He teaches His disciples to pray always and not lose heart, and His ongoing intercession for us at the Father's right hand means that our "daily cry" for mercy is always heard and supported by our Great High Priest, who "always lives to intercede for them." Thus, in Christ, God's mercy is fully manifested and our access to it is eternally secured, empowering our own persistent prayers.