April 02, 2025
Recognizing God #
Psalm 86:1-5
Introduction
There are a few things that really stand out in this Psalm. The first thing that stands out to me, is the frequent mention of LORD, Lord, and God.
LORD is used for Jehovah God, always refers to the Eternal, self-existing God.
Very formal reference to THE ALMIGHTY, ETERNAL God
Lord is used for Adonay, master,
God is used for Elohim, which often refers to God, in this chapter, it is the same word as used in 8, but all the other references in this chapter clearly refer to God.
They are used almost interchangeably in this chapter, and yet there is probably something to it. It stands out to me in this chapter.
God is referenced a lot, the enemies and problems are referenced very little. There are many statements about God, and shows us the deep intimate knowledge of God the Psalmist had.
I categorized the chapter into three statements made: 1. Asking of God, 2. Attributes of God, 3. Ambitions of the godly.
I. Asking of God (1, 2, 3, 6, 11) #
A. Listen to his prayer (1, 6) #
B. Save him (2) #
1. “preserve my soul” – this is a prayer for after death! #
- Gen 1:21-25 – God made animals… but they don’t have a soul.
Gen. 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Gen. 35:18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
2. “save thy servant” – this is made for life #
C. Be merciful (3) #
D. Rejoice (4) #
E. Teach me (11) #
II. Attributes of God (5, 8, 10, 13, 15) #
A. God is Good! (5) #
1. “Ready to forgive” #
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. “plenteous in mercy” #
B. God is uniquely Superior (8-10) #
1. “among the gods” #
2. “thou art God alone.” – there literally is no other! #
C. God is Compassionate (15) #
D. God is Gracious (15) #
E. God is longsuffering (15) #
F. God is plenteous in mercy (15) repeated from vs 5) #
1. This is the same reason we have salvation! #
2. This is the same reason you are still breathing and here today! – It isn’t because you are a saint! #
G. Plenteous in truth (15) #
1. Truth is twisted today! #
2. God’s Word is true! #
III. Ambition of the godly (11-12) #
A. Walk in truth (11) #
1. God’s Word is to be read #
2. God’s Word is to be taught #
3. God’s Word is to be obeyed! #
- “unite my heart to fear thy name”