Psalm 86

I Call To You Because You Answer Me

An intensely personal prayer of affliction, this psalm reminds us that it is our duty to give ourselves wholly to God, for he is compassionate and loving, and stands by the people who call to him.  The notion of God recognizing the people who come to Him is repeated several places in the text.  In verse two David says "Save your servant who trusts in you", while in verse 16 he says "Save me because I serve you".  Now, at first glance, I thought this psalm had a "scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours" kind of attitude; That David was saying "Hey Lord, I worship you alright, how I think I deserve a little help here!".

Of course, we all know this isn't the way God works.  There is no moral debit system with God, wherein if you do so many good deeds for the Lord, he owes you so much in return.  God doesn't want us to worship Him because we expect a reward.  We worship because we love and appreciate God, because we already know He loved and appreciated us first.  David clarifies this in verse 5, saying the Lord is "forgiving and good, abounding in love for all who call", and later when he proclaims he relies on God's faithfulness to walk the Lord's path.  David isn't demanding that God work for him because he acts a certain way, but instead, he has faith God will come through for him because he believes in God's grace.

Many times in David's psalms, he describes the Lord cutting down his enemies with swords and arrows, or otherwise facing the wrath of an angry God who fiercely avenges those who assault His followers.  That narrative is changed here.  David calls on a compassionate God who is slow to anger.  He asks God not to cut down his foes, but rather show his enemies His goodness, not so that they may perish, but so they can see the error of their ways.  David does not wish doom to his foes, but rather that they see through their hate and recognize this gracious and merciful God.

This is a very Christ like message hiding in the psalms!  David comes very close to saying "Love your enemy".  Because he is such a loyal servant to God, he feels the comfort and grace of the Lord, and he wants everyone to experience that, even those who conspire against him.  The worst he wishes on his accusers is shame.  Shame that they ignored the glory of God.  Hope that they can recognize His power and drop their wicked ways and follow Him.  As David told us, the Lord is abounding in love for all who call.  His forgiveness extends to all.

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
    because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
    will come and worship before you, Lord;
    they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
    you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
    show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
    just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.