Psalm 86 (85):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

No greater blessing could God bestow upon humanity than the giving of His Word, through which He fashioned all creation, establishing its Head and connecting all to Himself as members, so that the Son of God could also be the Son of Man—one God with the Father, and one Man with mankind. Thus, when we seek mercy from God, we should not divide the Son from Him. When the Body of the Son intercedes, the Head cannot be separated from it. For our one Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, not only intercedes for us but also prays within us. He intercedes as our High Priest; He prays in us as our Head, while we petition Him as our God. Therefore, let us acknowledge the words we speak in Him and recognize that His words dwell within us. When we hear anything said about our Lord Jesus Christ, particularly in prophecies suggesting a level of humility beneath God's majesty, let us not hesitate to assign it to Him who willingly united with us. To Him we pray, that as He reflects the form of God while also taking on the form of a servant, we might remember the Creator and the created—conjoining the unchangeable with the changeable, forming one Man of Head and Body. Thus, we pray to Him, through Him, and in Him; we engage in dialogue, He speaks through us, expressing the prayer of the psalm known as 'The Prayer of David.' Our Lord, in His flesh, is the son of David, yet in His divine essence, He reigns as Lord over David and as the Creator thereof. Therefore, let no one claim that Christ does not speak, nor should anyone assert, "I do not speak." If one acknowledges themselves as part of Christ’s body, they should assert: Christ speaks, and I speak. Do not wish to express anything apart from Him, nor shall He speak without you.

Incline Your ear to me, O Lord, and hear my cry. He speaks in the guise of a servant: Speak, O servant, as your Lord speaks: Incline Your ear, O Lord. He bends down to listen, provided you do not carry the weight of your yoke; for He draws near to the humble but keeps distance from the proud, save for the exceptions He Himself has lifted from their lowly state. Thus, God inclines His ear to us, for He is exalted, and we are beneath Him. He dwells on high, while we are in a humble position—not abandoned. For Christ died for us while we were still in sin. Rarely would someone give their life for a righteous person; though for a good person, perhaps someone might dare die. But our Lord died for the unrighteous. There was nothing virtuous in us to warrant the Son of God’s death; yet, in that absence of merit, His mercy was magnified. How true and steadfast is the promise by which He preserves the righteous with life and the unrighteous with death! For I am wretched and afflicted. Yet to the wealthy, He does not lend His ear; to the poor and needy—those humble enough to confess their need for mercy—He bends down His ear. The high-minded, who boast as if they have no need, verge on satiation, as the Pharisee who bragged of his merits while the publican humbly admitted his shortcomings.

But take heed, my brothers, that my words are not misconstrued as implying God disregards those who possess gold and silver or property. If they happen to occupy such a station, let them be aware of the Apostle’s admonition: "Charge the rich in this world not to be arrogant." For the ungodly remain impoverished in God's eyes, while He inclines His ear to the humble and those in need, knowing their reliance is not on material wealth. It suffices that riches do not ruin them; they offer no true benefit. The real value lies in the charitable acts performed by both rich and poor: the former by both willingness and action, the latter by intention alone. When one casts aside the pride that elevates humanity, they align themselves with the poor of God; to such, He listens, because their hearts are contrite.

Was it the merit of his poverty that earned the poor man a place alongside angels, or was it the sin of his wealth that condemned the rich man to torment? The dignity accorded the poor man symbolizes the honor of humility, while the judgment placed on the rich man exemplifies the consequence of pride. The parable affirms this truth: the poor man was welcomed into Abraham's bosom, whereas scripture shows that Abraham himself was abundantly wealthy, noted for his substantial gold and silver. If every rich man is condemned to torment, how could Abraham have received the poor, yet remain both wealthy and humble, valuing his riches as trifling next to God, even prepared to sacrifice his son at God's command? Therefore, learn the essence of true poverty and humility, whether your outward circumstances reflect them or not.

Guard my spirit, for I am holy. I cannot assert such a claim for myself, save for He who walked the earth without sin: He who did not commit sins but forgave them. Indeed, I recognize His voice declaring, "Save my soul, for I am holy"—certainly congruent with the form of a servant He took. For in Him lies the flesh, and also the soul, as He is neither solely flesh nor solely spirit, but the one Son of God, one Christ, one Savior—equal to the Father in divine form and a servant to the Church in human form. Thus, when I hear, "For I am holy," I acknowledge it as His declaration; yet can I claim it too? If I claim holiness in the sense of being sanctifying and needing no further sanctification, then I would be arrogant and false; but if I profess holiness as a result of sanctification, as stated, "Be ye holy, for I am holy," then the Body of Christ may rightfully declare, "For I am holy." For it is through the grace of holiness, grace offered in Baptism, and the forgiveness of sins that this claim is made.

Proclaim to your God: I am holy, for You have made me holy, not because of any merit of my own, but entirely by Your grace. Otherwise, you inadvertently harm our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For when faithful Christians, having been baptized into Him, put on His holiness as the Apostle asserts, "For all who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ," they embody His Body and proclaim their unholiness, thus harming their Head of whom they are members. Consider your position and draw dignity from your Head. You once dwelled in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Were you once darkness but remained so even after the Light came to you? Wage the struggle against remaining in darkness, and emerge as light in Him. Therefore, each Christian, individually and as a whole Body of Christ, can proclaim amidst trials, temptations, and tribulations, "Save my soul, for I am holy; O my God, deliver Your servant who trusts in You."

Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry out to You all day long. The emphasis on "all day long" illustrates a continual plea; the Body of Christ groans in trials from this present day until the end, when such tribulations will cease. Every one of us contributes to this collective yearning. You have grieved in your time, yet another has come and grieves in theirs. One member may weep, while another finds rest in Him, all the while sharing in this continuous sorrow. The Body of Christ weeps throughout the day, one part following another, in an unbroken cycle. Our Head, exalted at the right hand of the Father, intercedes on our behalf: some members He heals, while He disciplines and refines others; some receive comfort, some are called, others remembered, corrected, and restored.

Revive the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I have lifted my soul. For the soul that once felt bitterness on earth requires uplifting to dwell with You, in Your joy alone. God alone possesses true joy; the world is saturated with bitterness. Therefore, He prompts His members to elevate their hearts to Him. Let each one heed this call, lifting up from the earthly burdens toward the divine. A heart raised to God will not perish, like grain left to decay on the ground. Would you select grain and allow your spirit to wither? Instead, elevate your heart heavenward. You may wonder how such an ascent is achieved—what support or mechanism is needed? Your affections provide the means; your will paves the path. Through love, you ascend; neglect leads you downward. Stand firm, and while on earth, inhabit heaven through your love for God. For the elevation of the heart outstrips the elevation of the body; one may alter its physical location, while the other changes its intent.

You, O Lord, are good and merciful. Even prayers are often obstructed by frivolous thoughts, hindering the heart from remaining focused on God. It fails to settle and is unable to find a framework to restrain its wandering or to remain still in joy before God. Rarely is such a prayer found among many. Each of us may have experienced this struggle, as professed in Scripture, when David laments finding his own heart to pray. "O Lord, since I have found my heart, let me pray to You." This reflects a heart that frequently escapes its own grasp, evading control and rendering cries to God, "For my heart has left me." Thus, my brothers, as I ponder David's utterance, I perceive divine grace. This is why he designates God as merciful—He endures our shortcomings yet anticipates our prayers to grow in holiness. When we offer our meager prayers, He graciously receives them in gratitude, forgetting the many thoughtless prayers that slip past Him, welcoming instead the one prayer we scarcely manage to muster.

What human could endure when his friend turns his back mid-conversation or shifts to others while seeking their attention? Yet God tolerates the hearts of many who pray while their thoughts wander to other matters. Shall we then resign ourselves to hopelessness, viewing everyone as condemned due to momentarily distracted prayers? If that were the case, I wonder what hope would remain. Hence, since a glimmer of hope exists before God, let us beseech Him: "To You, O Lord, I extend my soul." How do I raise my heart? What strength do I possess to reclaim it when it runs away? I falter from weakness: heal me, and I will stand; strengthen me, and I will be resolute. But until then, bear with me: For You, O Lord, are good and gracious, merciful beyond measure. This is not mere mercy but abundant mercy: for as our iniquity grows, so does Your mercy rise to meet it, available to all who call upon You.

What can we say to the scriptures that declare: "They shall call, and I will not hear them"? But You are gracious to all who call upon You. Some may call upon others rather than turning their hearts to God. Whatever beloved are invoked, the desires directed towards those things certainly do not encompass God. Is God good if He grants your every desire? If such desires lean towards evil, might it not be preferable that He withholds from you? Thus, if God chooses not to grant a wish, He means little to you, and you lament that your prayers are unheard. Consider your requests: perhaps you wished ill upon your enemy. But perhaps, at the same instant, they prayed for your demise. The Creator of you also fashioned them; you both share humanity, but God is the true Judge: He hears both prayers and may grant neither. Rejoice, therefore, that what you prayed for went unheard, for the same was granted to your adversary.

In seeking life for your child, examine your motives: if perhaps God takes your child away, knowing inherent wickedness may intensify should they live? You wished for reform, yet what if His wisdom dictated otherwise? If you call upon God as God, you may rest assured of being heard. He promises abundant grace to all who seek Him.

The Blessed David, inspired by the Holy Spirit and foreseeing the arrival of the Only Begotten Son and the eventual forgiveness of sins for all who seek Him, sincerely prays to be counted among those saved by grace. "Incline Thy ear, O Lord, and hear me," for humility profoundly aids the person in prayer to be heard. For I am destitute and afflicted. This marks the commencement of the prayer offered by the humble. Both David and Hezekiah, having received the treasures of righteousness, did not focus on their wealth but acknowledged the misery of their human condition, imploring God to extend His mercy to their impoverished state. The phrase, "incline Thy ear, O Lord," is metaphorically derived from a sick individual who, due to weakness, cannot raise his voice and urges the healer to bend down to listen closely.

A prayer from David. The revered David, as noted in the heading, lifted a prayer to the Lord God, pleading for assistance. He prophesied the impending siege of the Assyrians on Jerusalem as well as King Hezekiah's reliance on the Lord; simultaneously, he spoke of the calling and deliverance of all nations. Turn Your ear toward me, O Lord, and listen: for I am impoverished and afflicted. The initial part of the prayer reveals his mindset; both the divinely favored David and the remarkable Hezekiah, despite their abundant righteousness, chose to focus not on their wealth but rather on the frailty of human nature and implored God to elevate this nature, which is inextricably linked to deprivation. The phrase, “Bow Your ear, O Lord” is metaphorical, inspired by a sick individual who, due to his frailty, cannot speak loudly and must urge the healer to lean in closer to hear him.

Prayer of David. The significance of the superscription is evident and was addressed in the introduction. Through his supplication, David demonstrates the manner of prayer in times of distress. Additionally, he foreshadows the calling of the Gentiles. Some suggest that this prayer may be attributed to Hezekiah. Bend down Your ear, O Lord, and listen to me. As stated in the Psalm (Psalm 16:6), the way God bends down His ear is revealed. For I am impoverished and in deep misery. I lack the strength to face both visible and unseen foes and find myself unable to withstand their attacks.

Do you recognize the value of prayer? While other psalms were entrusted by the prophet to Asaph and the sons of Korah for their singing, this prayer is directed to God by the prophet himself, representing not just himself but all humanity. ‘O Lord, thine ear and hear me, for I am poor and wretched.’ The prophet embodies the condition of every person, acknowledging that we are impoverished due to sin, a legacy handed down from Adam, which has left us in a state of destitution. Thus, the prophet implores God to lend His ear, that He might condescend to the lowly as a benevolent figure toward those in need, like a healer to the ill. Why does he seek this condescension? Because we frequently petition God for things that may not be fitting; yet, as the ultimate physician, He honors our petitions but grants only what is truly beneficial for us.

When individuals experience the loss of their possessions, they grieve. Likewise, Christians, mourn, for you have forfeited the blessings bestowed upon you in sacred Baptism by your heavenly Father. Feel compassion for those enduring hardship and despair. Weep also for your own state, recognizing your poverty and sorrow as you seek repentance. Such deep destitution is a result of sin. "Incline Thy ear, O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and miserable."

**Prayer of David: A Reflection on Humility and Divine Comfort**

This psalm encapsulates a prayer filled with devout reflections, inspired by God as David faced persecution and distress. As a man of deep spirituality, shaped by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, David’s solace was sought not in earthly comforts but directly from God, the ultimate Source of all consolation, through prayer and contemplation.

The author of this psalm is experiencing profound anguish, finding himself in peril due to a multitude of unjust and malevolent foes, despite his unwavering confidence in God’s assistance. This trust is expressed through his prayers within the psalm. From verse 13, which uses the term delivered, it can be inferred that this psalm was composed amid the trials of Absalom’s rebellion, and the reference to the depths of the underworld parallels the afflictions faced during Saul's persecution. The term delivered, however, should be understood as pertaining to the present or future; the psalmist, through faith, perceives what is hoped for as already realized. He raises his voice concerning his afflictions, describing himself as poor and wretched, and expressing a continual cry for help.

This Psalm, composed by David through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is referred to as a prayer due to its essence as a heartfelt plea to God amidst the prophet's anguish caused by intense persecution. Primarily, this prayer relates to the supplications of Christ the Lord to God the Father during His severe trials at the hands of the Jews. No one can rightfully claim the title of Monk before God except for Christ Himself, who embodies the true essence of Monasticism in all His actions. Even in His Passion, this beggar cried out, and the Lord answered him. This poor man, who brings richness to the destitute, enables all to be uplifted through His humility (Rev. 5:2; Ps. 144:10; 2 Cor. 8:9).