시편 Chapter 86

Translation: ESV

1

Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

Key Message

Acknowledging one's own poverty and neediness is the first step toward drawing near to God.

▸This prayer of David begins with an honest confession of his poverty and neediness.

This prayer of David begins with an honest confession of his poverty and neediness. Poverty (ani) and neediness (evyon) mean not only material poverty but spiritual and human powerlessness. This self-awareness becomes the motivation for drawing near to God.

Related Verses

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Key Message

Because God is good, delights in forgiveness, and abounds in steadfast love, we can pray.

▸Three attributes of God are declared: goodness, a readiness to forgive (delight in forgiving), and abundant steadfast love.

11

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Key Message

Learning God's way, walking in his truth, and concentrating one's heart in the fear of God are a threefold expression of faith.

▸Three petitions are linked together: the request to be taught God's way, the resolve to walk in his truth, and the plea to have one's heart united in fearing God's name.

15

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Key Message

Knowing God's character and praying on that basis is the most certain form of prayer.

▸David confesses in prayer God's self-declaration from Exodus 34:6.