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
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
"In the day of my trouble I have cried unto You, for You have heard me" [Psalm 86:7]. A little before he had said, All the day have I cried, all the day have I been troubled. Let no Christian then say that there is any day in which he is not troubled. By "all the day" we have understood the whole of time. What then, is there trouble even when it is well with us? Even so, trouble. How is there trouble? Because "as long as we are in the body we are absent from the Lord." [2 Corinthians 5:6] Let what will abound here, we are not yet in that country whither we are hastening to return. He to whom foreign travel is sweet, loves not his country: if his country is sweet, travel is bitter; if travel is bitter, all the day there is trouble. When is there not trouble? When there is joy in one's country. "At Your right hand are delights for evermore." "You shall fill me with joy," he says, "with Your countenance: that I may see the delight of the Lord." There toil and groaning shall pass away: there shall be not prayer but praise; there Alleluia, there Amen, the voice in concord with Angels; there vision without failing and love without weariness. So long therefore as we are not there, you see that we are not in that which is good. But do all things abound? If all things abound, see if you are assured that all things perish not. But I have what I had not: more money has come to me which I had not before. Perhaps more fear too has come, which you had not before: perhaps you were so much the more secure as you were the poorer. In fine, be it that you have wealth, that you have redundance of this world's affluence, that you have assurance given you that all this shall not perish; besides this, that God say unto you, You shall remain for ever in these things, they shall be for ever with you, but My face you shall not see. Let none ask counsel of the flesh: ask ye counsel of the Spirit: let your heart answer you; let hope, faith, charity, which has begun to be in you, answer. If then we were to receive assurance that we should always be in affluence of worldly goods, and if God were to say to us, My face you shall not see, would ye rejoice in these goods? Some one might perhaps choose to rejoice, and say, These things abound unto me, it is well with me, I ask no more. He has not yet begun to be a lover of God: he has not yet begun to sigh like one far from home. Far be it, far be it from us: let them retire, all those seductions: let them retire, those false blandishments: let them be gone, those words which they say daily unto us, "Where is your God?" Let us pour out our soul over us, let us confess in tears, let us groan in confession, let us sigh in misery. Whatever is present with us besides our God, is not sweet: we would not have all things that He has given, if He gives not Himself who gave all things.
Continue studying Psalms 86:7 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Psalms 86:7 stands as a profound declaration of unwavering faith from David, articulating his absolute confidence in God's immediate and certain responsiveness during times of profound distress. This verse encapsulates the very essence of biblical prayer: an earnest, heartfelt cry to a personal God who not only hears the petitions of His people but actively intervenes and answers them, affirming His character as a faithful and ever-present refuge in trouble. It is a timeless testament to the power of relying on divine faithfulness in the face of human vulnerability.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 86 is uniquely titled "A Prayer of David," distinguishing it as a deeply personal and intimate supplication that offers a mosaic of petitions, laments, and declarations of trust. The psalm opens with David's desperate plea for God's attention and mercy, acknowledging his own neediness and dependence. Throughout the preceding verses, David appeals to God's goodness, power, and uniqueness among the gods, setting the stage for the confident assertion in verse 7. This verse serves as a pivotal statement of settled conviction, revealing that despite the weight of his circumstances, David's ultimate recourse and unfailing hope lie in God's guaranteed response. It transitions from an earnest plea to a confident expectation, reinforcing the overarching theme of divine faithfulness that undergirds the entire psalm, culminating in a renewed commitment to worship God for His goodness and power (e.g., Psalms 86:12-13).
Historical & Cultural Context
David's life was marked by frequent periods of "trouble," ranging from persecution by King Saul, internal strife within his own family, national rebellions (such as Absalom's revolt), and personal failings. While the specific "day of trouble" for this psalm is not explicitly stated, it reflects a common experience of distress for the king, who often faced enemies and challenges to his rule and life. In ancient Israelite culture, prayer was understood as a direct, personal encounter with the living God, YHWH, who had established a covenant relationship with His people. Unlike the impersonal or capricious deities of surrounding nations, Israel's God was known for His attentiveness and active involvement in human affairs. David's prayer reflects this covenantal understanding, appealing to God's established character and past acts of deliverance, reinforcing the cultural expectation that a righteous God would indeed respond to the cries of His faithful servants. This understanding is deeply rooted in the historical narrative of God's interaction with Israel, from the Exodus (e.g., Exodus 2:23-25) to the establishment of the monarchy.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the unwavering trust in God's character, highlighting David's profound faith even amidst significant "trouble." This trust is not a mere hope but a confident expectation rooted in God's revealed nature, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 7:9. Secondly, it emphasizes the efficacy and power of prayer, affirming that prayer is not a futile exercise but a genuine, active communication with a living God who intervenes in human history. David's experience here, and elsewhere (e.g., Psalm 18), consistently affirms that God hears and responds to the cries of His children. Finally, the verse speaks volumes about God's faithfulness and responsiveness. The assurance "for thou wilt answer me" reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent but intimately involved in the lives of those who seek Him, a foundational truth echoed in Isaiah 65:24. This theme of divine responsiveness is central to the covenant relationship God established with His people.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term, derived from a root meaning "to be hot," refers to a period of time, often a literal day (from sunrise to sunset or sunset to sunset), but also figuratively denoting a defined space of time or a specific season. In the phrase "day of my trouble," it emphasizes a particular, intense, and often prolonged period of distress, signifying a time when the psalmist is acutely aware of his suffering and vulnerability. It is not a fleeting moment but a significant, all-consuming experience.
This feminine noun, from the root meaning "tightness," denotes distress, anguish, affliction, or narrowness. It describes a situation of great difficulty, pressure, or confinement, often implying a feeling of being hemmed in or oppressed. David is not speaking of minor inconveniences but of deep, burdensome circumstances that cause significant personal suffering and anxiety, where all other avenues of help seem closed.
This primitive root signifies to cry out, to invoke, to proclaim, or to summon. It implies an urgent, earnest, and often public appeal, rather than a casual request. When applied to God, it signifies a deliberate and intentional act of seeking His presence, His attention, and His intervention. It is an act of faith that acknowledges God's authority and ability to respond, distinguishing it from mere thought or wish.
This primitive root means to eye or heed, by implication to respond, or by extension to begin to speak, sing, shout, testify, or announce. In the context of prayer, it signifies more than just hearing; it implies an active, engaged reply, often involving action, intervention, or a demonstration of God's will. The certainty expressed by "thou wilt answer me" indicates David's deep conviction that God's response is not merely possible but guaranteed, rooted in His character and covenant faithfulness.
Verse Breakdown
"In the day of my trouble"
This opening phrase immediately sets the scene in a time of intense personal distress and difficulty for the psalmist. It highlights the reality of human suffering and the specific moments when individuals feel overwhelmed and vulnerable. The use of "my" personalizes the affliction, making it a deeply intimate confession of need. It is precisely in these moments of acute need that David turns to God, demonstrating a profound understanding of where true help resides.
"I will call upon thee"
This is a deliberate and resolute declaration of intention. "I will call" signifies a conscious act of faith and dependence, a determined choice to seek God's presence and intervention, rather than succumbing to despair or seeking human solutions alone. The direct address "upon thee" emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of David's relationship with God, recognizing Him as the sole and sufficient source of help, distinct from all other potential, yet inadequate, aids.
"for thou wilt answer me"
This clause provides the foundational reason and absolute assurance for David's resolve to pray. The conjunction "for" (כִּי, ki) introduces the certainty of God's response, making it the bedrock of David's confidence. "Thou wilt answer me" is a powerful affirmation of God's character—His attentiveness, faithfulness, and willingness to intervene on behalf of those who seek Him. It is a statement of absolute trust in God's active engagement with His people's prayers, reflecting a deep theological conviction based on past experience and God's revealed nature.
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Declaration and Affirmation, where David confidently states his intention to pray and the certain outcome of his prayer. This is reinforced by a strong sense of Personal Address or Direct Address to God ("thee," "thou," "me"), which creates an intimate and immediate tone, emphasizing the personal relationship between the psalmist and the Divine. There is also an implicit Cause-and-Effect Relationship or Logical Consequence established: because God is known to answer, David will call upon Him. This structure highlights the psalmist's theological conviction as the motivation for his spiritual practice. The simplicity and directness of the language contribute to its powerful and enduring impact, making it a timeless expression of faith and a model for approaching God in times of need.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 86:7 profoundly articulates a core theological truth: God's inherent responsiveness to the cries of His people. This verse is not merely a statement of David's personal conviction but a reflection of God's revealed character as one who is attentive, compassionate, and actively involved in the lives of His creation. It underscores the efficacy of prayer as a genuine means of communication with the Divine, rooted in God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for intimate relationship. The certainty of God's answer, "for thou wilt answer me," speaks to His omnipotence and omniscience, affirming that He hears every petition and possesses the power and wisdom to respond according to His perfect will, even if the answer is not always what we expect. This divine responsiveness fosters a deep sense of security and trust, encouraging believers to approach God with boldness and confidence in every circumstance, knowing that He is a God who listens and acts on behalf of His beloved.
Reflection and Application
Psalms 86:7 offers profound encouragement and a vital directive for believers navigating the complexities of modern life. In a world often characterized by anxiety, uncertainty, and overwhelming challenges, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that our primary and most effective recourse is to turn to God in prayer. It calls us to cultivate a habit of immediate and earnest communication with our Creator, not just as a last resort when all else fails, but as a confident first response to any "day of trouble." Embracing the truth that God will answer us transforms our perspective on suffering and difficulty, shifting our focus from the problem's magnitude to God's infinite power and unwavering faithfulness. This confidence in His responsiveness deepens our relationship with Him, strengthens our faith, and provides an unshakeable peace that transcends circumstances, knowing that our heavenly Father is always attentive to our cries and works all things for our good, even when His answers take unexpected forms.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does God always answer prayer exactly as we expect or desire?
While Psalms 86:7 expresses profound confidence that God "will answer," it's crucial to understand "answer" in a comprehensive biblical sense. God always hears and responds to the prayers of His people, but His answer may not always align with our immediate desires or expectations. Sometimes the answer is "yes," sometimes "no," and sometimes "wait." God's responses are always perfect, reflecting His infinite wisdom, love, and sovereign plan for our ultimate good and His glory. He may answer by providing comfort in distress, strengthening us to endure, revealing a different path, or even by allowing a difficult situation to persist for a greater purpose, as seen in Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. The assurance of Psalms 86:7 is that God is never silent or indifferent; He is always engaged and responsive to the cries of His children, working all things according to His perfect will (e.g., Romans 8:28).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 86:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David's confident cry to God in his "day of trouble" foreshadows the perfect and ultimate prayer of the Son of God. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, frequently called upon His Father in times of deep anguish and trouble, most notably in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed with intense earnestness, even to the point of sweating blood (Luke 22:44). His cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), represents the deepest "day of trouble" imaginable, as He bore the full weight of humanity's sin. Yet, through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, Jesus became the ultimate "answer" to humanity's greatest trouble—sin and separation from God. He is our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), through whom we now have confident access to the Father's throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Moreover, as our Great High Priest, Christ continually intercedes for us (Romans 8:34), ensuring that our prayers, offered in His name, are indeed heard and answered by the Father according to His perfect will, fulfilling the promise of God's responsiveness in a way far grander than David could have imagined. In Christ, the promise of an answering God is not just a hope, but a present reality for all who believe (e.g., John 14:13-14).