Psalm 86

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Psalm

Psalm 86

1 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
17 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.

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Outline

Steps to Comfort in Songs of Prayer
Psalm 86
By Pastor Clinton Macomber

A Ask God to Hear our Prayer Song

1 Come humbly before God, Psalm 86:1

2 Come with a statement of the grounds for a request, Psalm 86:2

3 Come daily to God, Psalm 86:3

4 Come with a reason, Psalm 86:4

B Describe the Relevant Attributes of God

1 God is forgiving, Psalm 86:5

2 God answers prayer, Psalm 86:6-7

3 God works miracles, Psalm 86:8

4 God will be honored by all, Psalm 86:9

5 God alone is God, Psalm 86:10

A Present the Requests

1 Ask to Learn God's way and commit to it, Psalm 86:10-13
2 Tell God of the circumstance contrasted with His character, Psalm 86:14-15
3 Make the Specific Request known to God, Psalm 86:16-17a
4 Thank God for His help, Psalm 86:17b

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Sermon

Steps to Comfort in Songs of Prayer
Psalm 86
by Pastor Clinton Macomber

This Psalm ends with praise to God for having comforted the writer after having gone through the trouble of formulating his request into a formal song. If we put the same effort into our own prayers, by turning them into a song that follows this pattern, we would see a deep benefit in our prayers.

There is a problem among Christianity today because much of the praying done is a flippant and given in an off-minded attitude. Serious prayer is when a person realizes it is the Creator of the universe that is being petitioned. While His love will accept a flippant prayer, the multitude of them show a disdain for acknowledging who He is and what He can do. We would never dare to approach an emperor with some casual and unprepared statement. Furthermore, we would never dare to come to Him without a very carefully crafted petition, that is all-inclusive but to the point of the request.

The Saints of the early days of this earth took prayer very seriously. Even when in a dialog with the Almighty, they were very careful and humble in their prayers. The result was a powerful and blessed experience with God.

A Ask God to Hear our Prayer Song

1 Come humbly before God

Psalm 86:1 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

The first thing that has to go is our thought that God is a genie that if we yell that we want something will come fulfill our every wish. The fact is that as God parents us, such behavior has to be ended, and a person will find that such prayers are not responded to by God in the way we want. Too often, instead of going to God's Word to find out why, they just figure God does not answer their prayers and so they quit trying to pray, and even worse, when they pray they do not expect God to answer.

When we see our place in regard to a Holy God, we quickly fall the earth and in absolute horror over who we are, beg that God would graciously bow to our low estate to hear our pathetic plea to Him. We realize we have nothing in and of us that would cause God to need to respond to us. Our requests may be such that the One who knows all things may see that it is quite harmful or very inadequate. In His love He may choose to answer them in a different way or show us why our requests are not to be answered.

There is a rich blessing that comes in turning to God for His provision in everything. We were once involved in a business that had some needs for better equipment in order to expand and handle the work of producing honey better. We went to God, but He did not respond. I wondered why. It was not long thereafter that the rental house we had was purchased by a new landowner, and destroyed. We had to leave the farm house and move to a small house that God had provided in the crisis. All the animals and honey business had to be given up. Furthermore, my health took a turn for the worse, and has continued to be such that I have not been able to think about returning to such a lifestyle. We have returned time and time to God to thank Him for having the foresight not to have given the things we felt were necessary. He knew what lay ahead and that the pain of having to loose as much as we did was tough for us. Having expended more would have taken a toll that we probably could not have recovered.

2 Come with a statement for the grounds for a request

Psalm 86:2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

In approaching God, we must beg that God have patience and take note that we do in fact follow Him, making us a holy person. We must also be able to say with assurance that we trust God implicitly in all things. There is nothing that we would consider keeping from God.

But how can we declare ourselves holy? How can we possibly dare to think we can tell God how we stand before Him? The answer is simple, if we take God's Word by faith. If we have accepted the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, and have dedicated ourselves to be servants of God alone, then we are set apart as a saint of God.

Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Perhaps a better way to translate the word “holy” is with the more usual term of “saint.” The cry is: “Preserve my soul, for I am a saint.” The word means one who is faithful and set apart to holy living. As ones who are completely dependent on God for how to live and what to do, we are also dependent on Him for protection.

3 Come daily to God

Psalm 86:3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

When we come to God it is a good time to examine our lives to see if we are living according to the instructions of His word. After making sure we are truly humble before God, and then stating the means whereby we make our request known to Him, we then should make note that we are sincere in our devotion, by spending time in prayer before God each and every day.

4 Come with a reason

Psalm 86:4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

A godly person is one who is seeking to have God control his emotions, will and desires. It is for this reason that it is held up to God, to receive instruction and inspiration. In doing so, we may fear that God will let our souls languish and become despondent. So, we ask God to not let that happen. We want our souls to be so filled with the spirit of God that they will be able to withstand whatever trouble may come our way.

A Describe the Relevant Attributes of God

God is so vast and great, it is hard for us to put His character and attributes into words. But this is the very reason it must be done in our personal lives, for until we are able to list the characteristics of God as they relate to our concerns, we will never be able to understand or see the way God can deal with them. Too often, when a person sits down and lists the attributes of God, they have a very small list. It is in fact a very shocking thing to realize we know so little of the God we serve and love. Even more often, the things we want to think about God are things that are portrayed in popular mythology, rather than from the facts of Scripture. This means we have a very distorted view of God, and so our life is also distorted.

To resolve these difficulties, we must learn to examine our troubles in light of God's Word and the many examples and teachings of Scripture that relate. The results of our study then can be summarized and organized to be used in our prayer to God.

1 God is forgiving

Psalm 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

The very first thing is that we have to remember is that God is ready to forgive, if we will call to him. He desires to shower blessings and favors upon those that will turn from their wicked ways. He also teaches to take a plea for forgiveness seriously, even though it may be repeated. God does not set limits except for the time our earthly existence has ceased. Then things are set as they were left. We cannot go back and change things.

2 God answers prayer

Psalm 86:6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Prayer is a very powerful means of seeking help. For us to use this gift, we have to know it works. The way of salvation begins with this means, and our faith and spiritual life is dependent upon the ongoing life of prayer and dedication to His Word. Sometimes we need to stop and consider the many answers to prayer that God gives us. It is truly amazing how much God does respond to us.

Christ warned against using vain repetitions like the heathen.

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Realizing that God does hear our prayers is important that we not become odious to God or our fellowman.

3 God works miracles

Psalm 86:8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

This is similar to the Song that Moses sang:

Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

The Hebrew is quite pointed in this Psalm. It might be read: “Not just like gods.” The problem is that the word for “gods” is often used of God Himself. Here it clearly does not refer to God himself, but to the more secular use of those that are honored and held up as gods. When an official is serving as a judge they may be called this form of “god” and when a heathen is speaking of his idol this term is used. The meaning however is quite clear. Among all those that are considered gods, or that stand in the authority of God, there is none that can be found to be just like God.

This is a sad statement, but it is also a wonderful statement. While we wish that there were more people that had the wisdom and ability to lead and rule as God would, humans are far less capable and simply unable to honor God in this way. The good part of this is that no human being or idol has the ability to perform miracles or convey the power of God.

There is a powerful being coming that will be indwelt by Satan and will seek to evidence by lying miracles that he is god. Yet not even this horrible Antichrist will have the power to hurt the 144,000 Jews or even to stamp out the lives of all those who will refuse to comply with the mark he insists all people take to buy and sell.

Life is not like a carnival where we may worry that by staying and watching one show, we are missing the impressive and better show being done elsewhere. God stands alone in power, miracles, majesty, and glory. There is no one that can even compete with God.

4 God will be honored by all

Psalm 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

This is another area where human thought fails. So much of our activities are centered around pleasing others and trying to not become offensive to others. We also can clearly see a trend in any part of history or the present where evil takes a deeper root and broadens its power and authority. We forget that everything that hath breath will one day bow before God. There is no human being or angel that is above the judgment that is to come.

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Taking a stand for God is simply throwing a warning sign into cogs of evil. We may think that we are nothing more than fodder for the wicked, but the fact is that each step they take against God's people is an attack on God. They are in fact sealing their doom. They have to stand before God in full knowledge of the choices they made, and admit that God gave them plenty of opportunity to change and that He is right in casting them to hell for their rebellion.

God made all people, and God will hold all accountable for how they used the gift of life and health.

5 God alone is God

Psalm 86:10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

The last fact of God is that God is omnipresent and does miracles. He alone is God.

Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

Because God is God alone, it is expected that we love Him with all our being.

Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is , Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

A Present the Requests

1 Ask to Learn God's way and commit to it

Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

The child of God is one who is going to want to do everything that God does and the way God does it. Of course, the child does not have the capabilities of being God or doing all that He does, but they will want to do things as close as they can in imitation of God.

Children today will tell their parents in full enthusiasm “Let me try!” And usually, unless it is too dangerous, the parent will let the child try. No one expects the child to actually be able to emulate the parent, not having the experience, strength, size or even need to do so, yet the child learns a great deal in how to behave from the process that spans many years.

2 Tell God of the circumstance contrasted with His character

Psalm 86:14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. 15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

There are always going to be those that consider themselves to be important that will rise up against us and seek to do violence to us. This is the way of the world. God on the other hand is merciful and is determined to let everyone have every opportunity to repent. This means that we may need to cast our cares on Him for the present and learn to endure patiently. God will bless us for taking this attitude and action. We need not fear, but we do need to recognize that such behavior is wrong and contrary to the ways of God.

3 Make the Specific Request known to God

Psalm 86:16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. 17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it , and be ashamed:

When it comes time to make a specific request to God, we need to express it in an honorable and succinct way. The request is for strength and the knowledge that God does know and see all we are enduring. We also would like some sign that would send a message to the heathen that they are going after the wrong kind of a person, and be shamed for daring to harm God's child.

4 Thank God for His help,

Psalm 86:17b because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

And the Psalm cannot close without a mention of the praise of God. God has helped us and brought comfort.

By going through this process and organizing our prayer into a song that can be sung and remembered years later, we are able to find comfort from God. We are able to see what our request is and that God has answered it before we ask Him.

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Topic Study

Comfort in Scripture
by Pastor Clinton Macomber

Those that give us comfort are easily approached for a favor.

Ruth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

We know we will not be ashamed by God, because He comforts us.

Psalm 86:17 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.

The earth brakes out in song over our being comforted by God.

Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

God's comfort of Zion will be the turning of desert to His gardens.

Isaiah 51:3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

The waste areas of Jerusalem will joyfully sing because God will comfort His people and redeem Jerusalem.

Isaiah 52:9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

The Jews will flow to Zion to rejoice for the abundance and because God has turned the sorrows to joy.

Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. 13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

God's followers are able to comfort others.

Ezekiel 14:22 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. 23 And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.

Even though God's cities will spread all over, God will choose Jerusalem and comfort Zion.

Zechariah 1:17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

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Quote

Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive.

Psalm 86:5

We are blinded by sin, and cannot believe that God is ready to forgive. We think that we must induce Him to forgive, by tears, promises of amendment, religious observances. There is in every heart such difficulty in understanding the unwearying patience and ever-yearning love of our Heavenly Father. Oh, clasp this word to your heart! Say it over and over again—“Ready to forgive, ready to forgive!” At any moment of the sad history of the prodigal, had he returned, he would have found his old father as ready to forgive as on the day, too long delayed, when he did return. The only pity was that he had not come long before. You have fallen a hundred times, and are ashamed to come to God again; it seems too much to expect that He will receive you again. But He will, for He is ready to forgive . You feel that your sin is aggravated, because you knew so much better; but it makes no difference to Him, He is as ready to forgive you now, as when first you came. You are disposed to wait a little, till your sin has become more remote, till passion has subsided, till the inscription has faded from the wall; but you might as well go at once, God is as ready to forgive at this moment as at any future time. You are wounding Him greatly by doubting Him. He is ready, waiting, eager to forgive. You have only to call upon Him, and you would discover the plenteousness of his mercy. How ready Jesus ever was to forgive sinners, herein revealing God's heart!

“O Love, Thou deep eternal tide,
How dear are men to Thee!
The Father's heart in opened wide
By Jesus blood to me.”

F. B. Meyer, Our Daily Homily (Redding, California: Pleasant Places Press, 2004; 2004). Volume 3 page 86.

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Devotions

Monday, Psalm 86:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 4:1-4

The key to having our prayers answered is to be found faithful by letting God be our judge, and refraining from justifying ourselves. By seeing ourselves in the eyes of God, we are able to realize how needy and dependent on God we must remain, as well as the manifold blessings of God that are showered upon us.

Tuesday, Psalm 86:4-6 and 1 Corinthians 4:5-7

God is a gracious, loving God who is ready to forgive and show mercy on all that call upon Him. It does not do us any good to pass judgment on other people ourselves, because we cannot see the hidden things of the heart, or the things of darkness. We accordingly have no reason to think ourselves better than another. When the Lord comes, the praises will be given.

Wednesday, Psalm 86:7-9 and 1 Corinthians 4:8-11

The Apostles had a rough calling, and had to rely completely on the Lord to withstand the assaults of evil that were constantly hurtled at them. Yet there is a day when all people will bow before their Creator. A Christian that is not suffering, or thinks they have power now, is sorely mistaken. This life is the life of learning and suffering to join in fellowship with our Savior. In heaven is the granting of a new body and special glories.

Thursday, Psalm 86:10-12 and 1 Corinthians 4:12-14

God's way of happiness and instruction is for us to learn to handle all that life offers in the way God instructs. We are not here to build empires or to see that others pay our way. We are here to walk in the truth of God and learn to fear and reverence God's name. We are also here to not serve our own selves but learn to praise God with all our heart.

Friday, Psalm 86:13-15 and 1 Corinthians 4:15-18

It must be remembered that even among Christians, there are those who call themselves teachers, evangelists, pastors, etc. that are enemies of our soul. In fact, there are so many enemies of the soul in the many so-called churches that there is a huge falling away from the gospel, just as there was a falling away from worship in the days of the judges. God is our Father, and He is full of compassion and mercy. He is the one who has rescued us from Hell and has given us the way of truth. It is imperative that we follow Him and those that also follow Him.

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Psalm 86

 

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