Psalm 86 (85):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us recognize our own words in Him and His words in us. Therefore, when references to our Lord Jesus Christ include an implied humility that descends from divine stature, let us not hesitate to ascribe this to Him who willingly became one with us. To Him we pray, for in His divine form, He intercedes as a servant, uniting the unchangeable Creator with His creation, forming us into one New Man, Head and Body alike. Thus, we pray through Him, speak to Him, and He in turn speaks in us—bringing forth the prayer expressed in the psalm known as ‘The Prayer of David.’ For our Lord, in His human nature, was a descendant of David; yet in His divine essence, He is Lord over David and the Creator of David’s lineage. Consequently, let no one dismiss the notion that "Christ does not speak," nor assert "I do not speak"; rather, if one perceives oneself as part of the Body of Christ, let them affirm: Christ speaks, and I too speak. No one should wish to say anything apart from Him, nor shall He voice anything apart from you.

Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear me. He speaks in the form of a servant; thus we should, as His servants, direct our pleas skyward. The Lord inclines His ear to us, provided we lift our burdens, drawing near to the humble while keeping the proud at a distance—save those He elevates from humility. In this way, God listens to our cries for help. He reigns above, and we dwell below; He is exalted, and we find ourselves in a lowly state—but we are not forsaken. For Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. Indeed, few would sacrifice themselves for a righteous man, though perhaps one might dare for a good man; yet our Lord laid down His life for the ungodly. There was no merit or righteousness that prompted the Son of God to suffer, but rather His immeasurable mercy was highlighted by our unworthiness. How true and steadfast is His promise, which preserves the life of the righteous yet secured the death of the wicked. For I am poor and needy; He does not turn a deaf ear to the humble, instead attuning Himself to their plight, while the self-satisfied boast of their own sufficiency. Just as the rich Pharisee boasted in his accomplishments, the poor publican humbly admitted his sins.

However, do not misconstrue what I have expressed, my brethren, as if God does not hear those who possess wealth and estates through the circumstances of their birth or station. Rather, let them hold in mind the Apostle’s admonition: instruct the rich in this present age not to be arrogant. The ungodly are spiritually impoverished before God; He inclines His ear to the humble, to the needy, and to those seeking mercy—not to the self-satisfied who think themselves beyond the grace of God, nor to the proud who proclaim, "I thank You I am not like that publican."

Yet, consider also, my brethren, what benefits God grants to sinners, and grasp what He reserves for His faithful servants. Even those who blaspheme Him receive daily gifts of heaven and earth, sustenance, health, and wealth—the bounty of the Lord's hand that few can match, bestowed even upon the wicked. If the Lord graciously provides such riches to the unrighteous, what could He possibly withhold from those who are faithful? Surely, He preserves for them not earthly gifts, but eternal life. I speak not merely of heaven as lands, but of Him who created the heavens. Though the heavens hold great beauty, the Creator transcends all.

Thus, we long for salvation and patiently await the Lord’s promised restoration, understanding the depth of divine compassion as He perfects us through trials. No one emerges from sin without suffering; clarification and healing come through discipline. Yet no human physician can truly assure healing; only God can deliver true and complete restoration.

Hear my prayer, O Lord. The intensity of the supplicant’s cry resonates here—may my prayer be forever present in Your ears, strengthening our communion. In times of affliction, I have called upon You, and You, O Lord, have answered. Despite the daily tribulations, no believer exists without struggle. While we walk on this earthly plane, we are distanced from the fullness of the Lord. Let this journey be bitter; our true joy awaits beyond the trials.

So let our hearts rejoice, tempered by reverence for Your Name. There is joy that comes mixed with fear—filled with hope and tempered through trials. Here in this life, we can receive happiness only as we fearfully revere our God.

My heart rejoices so that I may fear Your Name. This joy is a sign of trust in the Lord's unfathomable mercy. When our hearts attain this understanding, we will know true peace. And when we seek God earnestly, acknowledging His greatness over all, may we remain steadfast in faith, reminding ourselves that in humility there is strength, and through grace, we find purpose.

Let us lift our hearts, our souls, our prayers to the Lord our God, rejoicing in His greatness all the day long, confident in His promise to hear our cries. Thus let our worship echo throughout the earth, magnifying His Name, for He alone is the wonder-worker amongst all creation.

In the subsequent verse, he clearly indicates the purpose behind his plea for divine mercy—specifically, to be liberated from his anguish, which heavily weighed upon his spirit. Furthermore, he emphasizes the sincerity of his appeal, for he earnestly raised his soul towards God, an essential aspect of prayer.

It is the voice of Adam, who became poorer in the mercy of God due to his sin; the voice of Christ addressing God the Father, who humbled Himself for Adam's benefit in order to uplift him through His own lack; and the cry of every faithful believer. God does not desire the demise of the sinner, but hopes for their transformation through repentance. Prayer acts as our weapon, sanctuary, and gateway to salvation. The day of sorrow during Christ's Passion echoes the moment when He declared: My soul is sorrowful unto death. It also signifies the sorrowful care of a person seeking his own salvation.