Psalm 86 (85):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We approach Him as our God, and in this relationship, we must affirm that His words are ours and our words are entwined with His. When the Scriptures mention our Lord Jesus Christ, especially in prophetic references indicating a form of humility beneath divine dignity, let us not hesitate to attribute it to Him who willingly associated with us. To Him we pray, the one who in His divine form prays as a servant; in this image, we see the Creator alongside the created. He takes on the unchangeable form of humanity, making us one with Himself—one Man as Head and Body. Thus, we pray to Him, through Him, and in Him, engaging in conversation where He speaks through us. He offers our prayers, including those from the Psalm known as "The Prayer of David," for our Lord is, according to the flesh, the son of David, yet in His divine essence, He reigns as Lord and Creator over David.

So, when we hear these truths, we should not deny Christ's voice or claim, “I am not speaking.” Rather, if we recognize ourselves in the Body of Christ, we must affirm: Christ speaks, and I too speak. We should desire to express nothing apart from Him, and He will not utter anything without our participation.

Incline Your ear to me, O Lord, and listen to my plea (Psalm 85:1). He speaks in the guise of a servant; let His servants speak in the likeness of their Lord: incline Your ear to me, O Lord. He bends His ear toward the humble, while from the proud, He withdraws unless they are led to humility by His grace. Thus, when we plea to Him, we must remember that He is supreme while we are humble beneath Him. Christ died for us while we were still sinners, a sacrifice for the ungodly. Though no righteous cause existed to warrant the death of the Son of God, His mercy shines all the brighter in light of our unworthiness.

For I am poor and wretched. God does not turn His ear toward the affluent but listens to the cries of the humble, the repentant, and those who seek mercy. The self-satisfied rich may stand tall, but the humble—a publican in acknowledgment of his sins—draw near to the Lord (Luke 18:11-13).

Let me clarify, my dear brethren, that my words are not to suggest God neglects those born into wealth or privilege; rather, they must remember the Apostle’s message: "Charge the wealthy of this world not to be arrogant" (1 Timothy 6:17). For the unrighteous are spiritually bankrupt, yet God inclines His ear toward them, recognizing that true hope lies not in worldly riches but in His grace. Charity, be it from rich or poor, is what truly bears fruit; the wealthy may give from abundance, while the poor contribute through their intentions alone.

Consider the poor man honored in his humility, carried away by angels (Luke 16:19-24) versus the rich man condemned for his pride. The example of Abraham illustrates this, for although he was exceedingly wealthy in gold and silver (Genesis 13:2), he did not cling to his riches. His readiness to sacrifice his own son at God’s command reflects a heart that sees earthly wealth as worthless compared to the call of the Divine. Learn therefore to be spiritually poor, regardless of material wealth.

Keep my soul, for I am holy (Psalm 84:2). While none can claim true holiness but Christ, who existed sinlessly in this world, we recognize His voice speaking through us. He, who comprises both body and spirit, serves as the one true Redeemer; equal to the Father in divine form yet manifested as a servant. Hence when I hear, “For I am holy,” I recognize it as His voice emanating from His Body. Dare I claim, “For I am holy,”? If I profess a holiness that sanctifies but requires no further sanctification, I would be both presumptuous and deceitful. However, if I declare myself holy in the sense of having received sanctification, as Scripture exhorts: "Be ye holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 19:2), I, as part of Christ's Body, can with confidence assert: “For I am holy,” having received grace through Baptism and the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Proclaim to your God: "I am holy, for You have sanctified me"—not because of my own merit but due to Your grace. To deny holiness, when one is a member of Christ’s Body, is to bring dishonor to our Head, for we have emerged from darkness into His marvelous light (Ephesians 5:8).

As members of the Body of Christ, unified despite trials and tribulations, we cry out: Save my soul, for I am holy! O God, save Your servant who relies on You.

Show mercy to me, O Lord, for I have cried out to You all day long (Psalm 84:3). This plea captures the collective anguish of the Body of Christ amid earthly tribulations—each member sharing in the cry of desperation, which spans from one end of the world to the other. The Body weeps, some rejoicing in rest while others continue to mourn, a perpetual intercession recognized in heaven, where our Head delights in listening to the voices of His members.

Cheer the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I have lifted my soul (Psalm 85:4). In elevating our souls to You, let us experience joy in Your presence, for the world is fraught with bitterness. Therefore, the faithful are encouraged to uplift their hearts, considering that their hearts will flourish if directed towards God.

For You, O Lord, are good and merciful (Psalm 85:5). Many prayers encounter hindrances from superficial distractions, making it difficult for the heart to focus on God. Yet God, in His infinite patience, listens to our faltering pleas.

In my time of distress, I called to You, for You heard me (Psalm 85:7). Remember, my brethren, troubles endure daily—and the struggle is constant. We experience unrest, as our life on earth is outside the unbroken fellowship with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6). In our yearning journey home, if we long for our heavenly dwelling, we acknowledge the trials while on earth beset by sin.

Direct my prayer to Your ears, O Lord (Psalm 85:6). The urgency of prayer reflects the seriousness of our supplication; may our pleas be received with favor as we seek to strengthen our bond with You.

Reveal to us, O Lord, that You alone perform marvelous wonders (Psalm 84:10). No one should elevate themselves above You, for You are the embodiment of greatness. Rather than pursue self-led greatness, we ought to serve one another, as Jesus taught: "Whoever desires to be great among you must serve" (Matthew 20:26).

Lead me, O Lord, in Your way, and I will walk in Your truth (Psalm 85:11). Your truth, Your way, and Your life are found in Christ. Let us walk steadfastly under His guidance, enduring the trials of our faith while remaining closely aligned to the truth of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Let my heart rejoice, yet also reverently fear Your name. Such balance is essential; we cannot seek joy unbridled by fear, as true joy emanates from understanding Your holiness. The psalmist instructs us to serve the Lord with fear and to rejoice with trembling, while the Apostle Paul encourages us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13).

In all situations, it is wise to remain vigilant and aware of temptations even in times of abundance. Let joy arise from a heart steeped in faith, rejecting worldly pleasure that may lead us astray.

Among the gods, O Lord, there is none like You (Psalm 84:8). Other nations may worship that which cannot see or hear, but we, as believers, worship the One true God, the Creator of all. All nations that You have made shall come and worship You, for You alone are great and do wondrous works (Psalm 85:9).

May we be ever mindful that while we seek Your face, the plights of our earthly existence will challenge us to remain steadfast in faith, ensuring that our hearts rejoice in You and acknowledge Your greatness forevermore.

It is the lament of Adam, who, through his transgression, became destitute of God's mercy, and the voice of Christ to God the Father, who embraced poverty for Adam’s redemption, aiming to restore him through His own lack. This also resonates with the voice of every faithful believer. God desires not the death of the sinner but eagerly awaits his turn to repentance. Prayer serves as our weapon, refuge, and gateway to salvation. The day of Christ's suffering culminated in His declaration: My soul is sorrowful unto death. It is also a day marked by the man’s concern for his salvation.