Psalms 86:16

"But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth."

Key Reflection

The psalmist declares that the Lord is a merciful and gracious God who is slow to anger, emphasizing His enduring loving kindness and truth. In the historical context of ancient Israel, this declaration would affirm the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people, highlighting God's consistent faithfulness despite their frequent failures and transgressions. The original audience would have recognized these attributes as foundational in understanding God’s character and his expectations for their behavior, reinforcing a theology that prioritizes grace over strict justice.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me -Look upon me; as if God were now turned away, and were unmindful of his danger, his needs, and his pleading. The expression is equivalent to those in which he prays that God would incline his ear to him. SeePsalms 86:1,Psalms 86:6, and the notes atPsalms 5:1. Give thy strength unto thy servant -Give such strength as proceeds from thee, and such as will accomplish what thou alone canst effect. Enable me to act as if clothed with divine power. The ground of the plea here is, that he was the “servant” of God, and he might, therefore, hope for God’s interposition.

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