What is the meaning of Psalm 86:16? Turn to me and have mercy • David pleads, “Turn to me and have mercy” (Psalm 86:16), confident that the Lord personally notices His people (Psalm 34:15). • Mercy is God’s steadfast love in action, not merely a feeling (Lamentations 3:22-23). • This cry reflects a humble awareness of need; like the tax collector who prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). • Because God is “gracious and compassionate” (Psalm 86:15), David expects a real, literal response. Grant Your strength to Your servant • David acknowledges that any victory or endurance comes from God alone: “The LORD is my strength and my shield” (Psalm 28:7). • Asking for strength affirms dependence rather than self-reliance, echoing Isaiah 40:29—“He gives strength to the weary.” • New-covenant believers echo this request: “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). • By calling himself “Your servant,” David embraces his position under God’s authority, as Moses was “the servant of the LORD” (Joshua 1:2). Save the son of Your maidservant • “Save” points to rescue from immediate trouble and, by extension, ultimate salvation (Psalm 18:2). • “Son of Your maidservant” stresses covenant heritage; David’s lineage is devoted to God, much like Hannah called Samuel “Your servant’s son” (1 Samuel 1:11). • This phrase also underscores intimacy—he is not a stranger but family (Psalm 116:16). • Deliverance is expected because God is faithful to generations of those who love Him (Exodus 20:6). summary Psalm 86:16 shows a threefold prayer: the psalmist seeks God’s attentive mercy, empowering strength, and rescuing salvation. Each request rests on God’s unwavering character and covenant commitment, inviting believers today to approach Him with the same humble confidence. |
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