The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 194

EXPOSITION. PSALM LXXXVI. save thy servant that trusteth in thee (comp. P•s. xxxiv. 22; :u:xvii. 40). Tms is the prayer of an a.fflictecl a.nd humble Ver. 3.-:ee merciful unto me, 0 Lord; for soul in a time of persecution (ver. 14), in- I cry unto thee daily; rather, all day long termixed with outbursts of praise (vers. 5, (Revised Version). 8-10, 15) and thankfulness (vers. 12, 13). Ver. 4.-Rejoice the soul of thy servant. The prayer rises from mere entreaties for It is e.asignecl in the title to David, and con- relief a.nd recovery from a state of suffering, tains nothing, either in matter or style, to into a.n earnest request for that which the make the ascription unlikely. Still, most heart of ma.n is ever longing for and seeking moderu critics regard the psalm e.s probably after-gladness and joy. The faithful are of a later date, a.nd consider it the work of promised that they shall come ultimately to a less gifted psalmist than David. If not a condition of exceeding great joy; but even saints are sometimes impatient, and we.nt the production of a "great original mind," their joy in this world and at once. For the psalm is nevertheless one of singular unto thee, 0 Lord, do I lift up my soul (comp. sweetness e.nd beauty. Ps. xxv. l, entitled, like this, "e. Psalm of Metrically, it seems to divide itself, like David"). There is no more likely way of Ps. lxxxv., into three strophes, two shorter, attaining to spiritual joy than to be al ways lifting up the soul to God. au,l one longer, the former being of five Ver. 5.-For thou, Lord, art good, and verses ea.eh, and the latter of seven. ready to forgive. The word translated Vers.1-5.-Prayer, the predominant note "ready to forgive," n~i?, occurs here only; of the entire pee.Im, holds alinost exclusive but the context sufficiently fixes its mean- possession of the first strophe, ouly passing ing, which is well expressed by the e,rmK¾r into praise when the last verse is reached, of the LXX. As God was "good" and where the petitioner reminds God of his "forgiving," he would Le likely to grant the pelitions just addressed to him. And plen- loving-kindness and readiness to forgive. teous in mercy unto all them that call upon Ver. 1.-:Bow down thine ea.r, 0 Lord, thee (comp. Exod. xxxiv. 6; Joel ii. 13). heo.r me (comp. Ps. xxxi. 2; Prov. xxii. 17). For I am poor a.nd needy; or," I a.m aftlicted Vera. 6-10.-ln this second strophe praise and in misery." Poverty in the ordinary is predominant. Prnyer occupies two verses sense is scarcely inteuded. only (vers. 6, 7); in the other three (vers. Ver. 2.-Preserva my soul. It is one of 8-10) God is magnified and glorified. the speoial offices of God to "preserv., the souls of his saints" (Ps..,cvii. 10). He is Ver. 6.-Give ear, 0 Lord, unto my prayer. not only man's Crea.tor, but his" Preserver" An echo of ver. 1. The psalmist begins, as (Job vii. 20; x. 12). For I am holy. The it were, afresh, calling God's Rtteution lo pso.lmist does not mean to claim for himself himself, as if he hRd not yet spoken. And pcrfrct holiness, but only that sincerity in attend to the voice of my supplioations religion whioh God's servants nrn.y rightly (oomp. Pss. xvi i. 1; lv. 2; lxi.1, etc.). That vindioate to themselves. 0 thou my God, \ God's ear is alwo.ys 11ttent to th-, prayers of  214 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. LXXlCVr. 1-17.