Psalms 86:4

KJV

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

KJV (with Strong's)

Rejoice {H8055}{H8761)} the soul {H5315} of thy servant {H5650}: for unto thee, O Lord {H136}, do I lift up {H5375}{H8799)} my soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Fill your servant's heart with joy, for to you, Adonai, I lift my heart.

Berean Standard Bible

Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

American Standard Version

Rejoice the soul of thy servant; For unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 86:4 is a heartfelt prayer from David, expressing a deep yearning for divine joy and an unwavering declaration of his complete devotion to God. The verse encapsulates a servant's humble plea for God to infuse his inner being with gladness, grounded in the profound act of surrendering his entire self in earnest prayer and exclusive reliance upon the Lord. It highlights the Psalmist's conviction that true spiritual solace and joy originate solely from God, even amidst personal distress.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 86 is uniquely titled "A Prayer of David," distinguishing it from other psalms that might be labeled "A Psalm of David." This psalm is a fervent individual lament, characterized by intense supplication, expressions of dependence, and appeals to God's character. David frequently intersperses his pleas for deliverance with affirmations of God's goodness, mercy, and uniqueness among the gods. Verse 4 flows directly from an appeal for God's attention in [Psalms 86:1-3](/psalms/86-1 "Psalms 86:1-3 - A Prayer for Mercy"), where David asks God to "hear," "answer," "preserve," and "be gracious." His request to "rejoice the soul" in verse 4 is a natural progression, seeking not just external deliverance but internal restoration and comfort, which he grounds in his devoted relationship with God, as further emphasized in [Psalms 86:5-7](/psalms/86-5 "Psalms 86:5-7 - God's Goodness and Hearing Prayer").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, a king often beset by enemies and personal trials, this psalm reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of individuals appealing to their deity in times of distress. Kings, though powerful, were still seen as servants of the divine, and their prayers often mirrored the concerns of their people, seeking divine favor for both personal well-being and national security. The concept of "lifting up the soul" was a deeply ingrained spiritual posture, signifying a complete turning of one's inner being towards the divine in prayer and supplication, a practice common in Israelite worship and personal devotion. The cultural understanding of the "soul" (Hebrew: *nephesh*) encompassed the entire person—their life, desires, emotions, and very essence—making the plea for God to "rejoice the soul" a request for holistic well-being and spiritual flourishing.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Benevolence**, portraying God as the ultimate source of joy and the one capable of transforming inner states. It powerfully illustrates **Personal Piety and Dependence**, as David, despite his royal status, humbly identifies as God's "servant" and expresses absolute reliance on divine intervention. The verse also highlights the **Nature of Prayer**, presenting it as a sincere, wholehearted act of devotion where the supplicant pours out their entire being before God, trusting in His responsiveness, a theme echoed in [Psalms 62:8](/psalms/62-8 "Psalms 62:8 - Trust in Him at All Times"). Finally, it touches on the theme of **Spiritual Joy Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating that true gladness is not dependent on external circumstances but is a divine gift, available even when facing hardship, as seen in [Psalms 4:7](/psalms/4-7 "Psalms 4:7 - Joy in God's Presence").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rejoice (Hebrew, _śāmaḥ_):** This verb means "to be glad, joyful," or "to make joyful." In the Hiphil stem, as used here, it is causative: "make joyful," "cause to rejoice." David is not merely asking for a feeling of happiness to spontaneously arise within him, but for God to actively and intentionally infuse his soul with joy. This implies a divine act of restoration, comfort, and spiritual upliftment, suggesting that true, deep-seated joy is a gift from God, especially in times of distress.
* **Lift up my soul (Hebrew, _nāśā' nepeš_):** This is a profound Hebrew idiom. _Nāśā'_ means "to lift, carry, bear," and _nepeš_ refers to the "soul," "life," "being," or "person." To "lift up one's soul" to God signifies an act of complete and earnest devotion, a spiritual posture of profound trust, longing, and surrender. It means to direct one's entire being—all thoughts, emotions, desires, and hopes—towards God in prayer, placing oneself entirely at His disposal and relying exclusively on Him. It is an expression of deep spiritual aspiration and intimate communion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Rejoice the soul of thy servant:"** David's opening plea is direct and personal. He acknowledges his identity as God's "servant" (עֶבֶד, _‘eved_), a term that signifies both humble submission and a privileged relationship with the divine. The request to "rejoice the soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_) is a plea for inner renewal and spiritual gladness. It's not a superficial happiness but a profound, God-given joy that penetrates the deepest part of his being, suggesting a restoration of his inner peace and vitality. This request implies that David's soul is currently in a state that requires divine intervention to be made joyful.
* **"for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul."** This clause provides the justification and foundation for David's request. The conjunction "for" (כִּי, _kî_) indicates the reason or basis of his appeal. He grounds his petition in his unwavering devotion and complete reliance on God. The act of "lifting up his soul" to the Lord (יְהוָה, _Yahweh_) signifies a total spiritual commitment, a complete surrender of his deepest self, his hopes, fears, and entire being into God's hands. This demonstrates an exclusive trust and an earnest, heartfelt prayer that expects a divine response.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 86:4 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses express similar ideas in different words: "Rejoice the soul of thy servant" is echoed and justified by "for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul." The act of lifting one's soul to God is presented as the prerequisite or the very reason for God to "rejoice" that soul. There is also a subtle **Anthropomorphism** in the idea of God "rejoicing" a soul, attributing a human-like action (causing joy) to the divine, making God's interaction with humanity more relatable. Furthermore, the phrase "lift up my soul" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for profound prayer and complete spiritual surrender. It is not a literal physical act but a vivid image conveying the totality of David's devotion and reliance on God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the theological truth that God is the ultimate source of true joy and inner peace. It highlights the deeply personal and relational nature of faith, where a servant of God can boldly and intimately appeal to their Lord for emotional and spiritual restoration. The act of "lifting up the soul" underscores the necessity of wholehearted devotion and exclusive reliance on God in prayer, affirming that genuine spiritual solace is found not in external circumstances or human efforts, but in complete surrender to the divine will and character. This posture of dependence and trust is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing that our deepest needs are met when we turn fully to the Creator.

* [Psalms 25:1](/psalms/25-1 "To You, O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul")
* [Psalms 143:8](/psalms/143-8 "Let Me Hear Your Steadfast Love")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Do Not Be Anxious")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 86:4 offers a timeless blueprint for approaching God in prayer, especially when our souls feel burdened or lacking joy. It reminds us that God is not distant or indifferent to our inner states but actively desires to infuse us with His divine gladness. The "lifting up" of our soul signifies a complete surrender—not just our words, but our entire being, our hopes, fears, and deepest longings. This kind of prayer is not a mere formality but a profound act of trust and dependence, acknowledging that true joy and peace are gifts from God alone. In a world that often seeks happiness in fleeting pleasures or external achievements, David's prayer redirects us to the only inexhaustible source of spiritual joy: the Lord Himself. It encourages us to bring our authentic selves, our raw emotions, and our deepest needs before Him, confident that as His servants, He delights in responding to our earnest appeals.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I currently "lift up my soul" to the Lord? Am I holding anything back?**
* **What does it mean for my soul to be "rejoiced" by God, and how might that differ from worldly happiness?**
* **How does recognizing myself as God's "servant" impact the way I pray and approach His presence?**
* **What specific burdens or anxieties might I need to surrender more fully to God today, trusting Him to bring joy to my soul?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "rejoice the soul"?**

Answer: To "rejoice the soul" (Hebrew: *śāmaḥ nepeš*) means for God to actively infuse or fill one's inner being with profound gladness, joy, and spiritual restoration. It's not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding sense of well-being and contentment that originates from God. In the context of David's prayer, it implies a divine intervention to alleviate distress and bring inner peace and delight, suggesting that true spiritual joy is a gift from the Lord, as expressed in [Psalms 16:11](/psalms/16-11 "Psalms 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in Your Presence").

**Why does David say, "for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul"?**

Answer: This phrase provides the justification for David's request. It signifies his complete and exclusive devotion, trust, and surrender to God. "Lifting up one's soul" (Hebrew: *nāśā' nepeš*) is an idiom for earnest, wholehearted prayer and reliance. It means directing one's entire being—thoughts, emotions, desires, and very essence—towards God, placing all hopes and needs before Him. David is asserting that his hope and reliance are solely on the Lord, thus God is the only one who can truly "rejoice" his soul. This posture of absolute dependence is a hallmark of genuine faith, as seen in [Psalms 62:5](/psalms/62-5 "Psalms 62:5 - My Soul Waits for God Alone").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 86:4 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the perfect embodiment of divine joy and the one to whom all souls are called to be lifted. David's longing for God to "rejoice his soul" foreshadows the profound spiritual gladness that Christ offers to those who come to Him. Jesus Himself invites the weary and burdened to "come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me")). This rest is not merely cessation of labor but a deep, soul-satisfying peace and joy that only He can provide. The act of "lifting up the soul" to the Lord finds its highest expression in lifting our hearts and lives to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He is the one in whom "the fullness of joy" is found ([John 15:11](/john/15-11 "John 15:11 - My Joy in You")), and through His Spirit, He pours God's love and joy into the hearts of believers ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out")). Thus, the prayer of David is answered definitively in Christ, who not only rejoices our souls but becomes the very object of our deepest devotion and the source of our eternal gladness.

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 143:8

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Psalms 25:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

Psalms 51:12

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

Psalms 62:8

¶ Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.

Isaiah 66:13

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 66:14

And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies.

Isaiah 61:3

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.