Verses 1-17

This is a Psalm of general supplication for help in trouble, and breathes a devout spirit of gratitude and confidence towards God. Specially remarkable is the hope of Psalms 86:9 that God will be universally worshipped. The Ps. is made up of quotations from other Pss. and portions of the OT., and is to be dated after the return from the exile.

1. Hear] RV 'answer.' Poor and needy] see Psalms 40:17; Psalms 70:5.

2. Preserve my soul, etc.] see Psalms 25:20. Holy] RV 'godly'; rather, 'one whom thou favourest.'

3. Daily] RV 'all the day long.'

4. See Psalms 25:1.

7. See Psalms 50:15.

8. See Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 3:24.

9. See Psalms 22:27-31.

11. See Psalms 26:3; Psalms 27:11. Unite my heart] deliver me from divided purposes and affections.

13. The lowest hell] RM 'Sheol beneath,' the state of the dead: see Psalms 56:13.

14. See Psalms 54:3.

Assemblies] RV 'congregation': see Psalms 22:16.

15. See Exodus 34:6.

16. See Psalms 25:16.

The son of thine handmaid] another phrase for 'thy servant': see Psalms 116:16.