Psalm 86:1-5 — Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

This is just a fan piece! I love this Psalm. Alexander Maclaren describes it beautifully, ” We have here a sheaf of arrows out of a good man’s quiver, shot into heaven.” What a wonderful description of prayer. I’ll be thinking of it as I pray over the next few days. I hope my prayers are straight arrows launched heavenwards!
As well as being a masterclass in prayer, this psalm is a window directly into David’s heart. Here is a man who knew he was chosen by God. He could, like his predecessor, have become proud. Instead he developed an evermore vivid sense of his true position. “Poor and needy” — not just poor, without supplies, but needy, without the resources to obtain them. But David was not just appropriately humble. He was also confident in his God: “Thou For thou, Lord, art good”.
As I said, as well as being a look into David’s heart, this psalm is a master class in prayer. Let me look at just these five verses to see if I can show what I mean.
First, David knows to whom he is praying. He honors God with three names — Yahweh, Elohim and Adonai. “Yahweh” is simply translated as “I Am”. But this “covenant” name of God carries so much more weight. Simply, it might be said, it testifies to God’s presence — His commitment to be present — before time, after time, and through time. “Elohim” is simply translated as “The strong ones”. This name, too, conveys much more. It speaks of the power, might, and glory of God — as well, as a plural form, hinting at the Trinity. “Adonai” Is another plural form — “Lords”. Again, though, the name carries more weight. It speaks of relationship between the Lord and His people, of the Lord as lord, father and foundation.
David knows what to prayer for. First, he asks for God’s attention. You might think it unnecessary, as God’s attention is surely everywhere — yet it might be assumed that God, like a loving Father, likes to be asked. Next David seeks God’s help. He asks for comfort in trouble, and then relief from trouble, and then for his Lord’s favor. Finally, David asks for joy. It’s an interesting request, in a way, as it is a request for what David knows God will gladly grant.
Lastly, David knows the conditions on which God will grant his prayers. He knows first, that there must be need and a recognition of need. Second, he knows that he must have a relationship with God — that is the implication here of “holy”. He knows to that he must trust in God. Finally, David knows that He cannot take God for granted: “I cry unto the daily, I lift up my soul”.
There! A masterclass in prayer in just five verses. Actually, there’s more to be learned from those five verses … but perhaps this piece is long enough — and the remaining twelve verses are left to the student for an example!