Psalm 86
Sunday, 29 September 2024
“Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” -Psalm 86:11 NRSV
Psalm 86 is a personal psalm of lament in which David expresses his serious concern about his lowly state and then the joy in the Lord who alone is merciful. This is the only Psalm in Book III of the Psalms that has David’s title. The whole Psalm can be divided into 6 sections:
1. A call for God to deliver David from distress (Ps 86:1-5)
2. A call for God to hear David’s prayer (Ps 86:6-7)
3. A statement that there is none other like God (Ps 86:8-10)
4. A petition for God to teach David deeper about God, that he can praise Him forever (Ps 86:11-13)
5. A comparison of the assault of the wicked with the character of the Lord (Ps 86:14-15)
6. A renewed call for God to show His goodness to David in his distress (Ps 86:16-17)
Let us first look into the key verse that puts the focus on our heart. Jesus speaks of an undivided heart in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8). The Greek word for pure is ‘katharos’ which describes a heart that is pure in motive exhibiting single-mindedness, undivided devotion and spiritual integrity. The word “pure” (katharos) has to do with attitude, integrity and singleness of heart whereas our heart and mind are always distracted with various agonies and concerns of our day-to-day life and of the future. That takes away our attention from God. Now an undivided heart is dedicated to God, having one driving purpose—to live pleasing to God. Such a heart’s attention is fixed on God alone and does not allow itself to be distracted or influenced by the passing desires of sin or anything else. When applied to the heart, the idea is that of pure motive of single-mindedness, undivided devotion, spiritual integrity, and true righteousness.
The last part of Ps 86:11 is a combination of supplication and commitment: "Give me an undivided heart to revere your name." We need sound teaching and devotion to God’s Word so that we concentrate to walk in God's way. As the psalmist moves on, he says: “I will praise you, O LORD my God, with all my heart" (Ps 86:12). The Psalmist already won confidence in that moment that his prayer for an undivided heart is answered. For then there is a bold claim he makes in Ps 86:12: "I will glorify your name forever." Not only has he moved from revering to glorifying, but the addition of "forever" makes the return of thanks to God, all the more fervent. It is a strong statement of commitment as one can imagine! Can we also do so?
The Psalmist closes the psalm with a final plea, a request for a sign of God's favor. We all sometimes pray to God for a sign as God’s guidance and it is right to pray for a sign from God in the light of Ps 86:17. When we are up against the enemy, we seek God for a sign of His favor upon us. We can pray thus to the Lord in certain situations based on our confidence in God's steadfast love and faithfulness to us in the past.
A Prayer to the Rock of Ages:
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:2 (NKJV)
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