Psalm 86:4
Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Bring joy to Your servant
This phrase reflects a plea for divine intervention and joy, emphasizing the relationship between God and His servant. The term "servant" indicates a position of humility and submission, often used by David to describe his relationship with God. In biblical times, a servant was someone who relied entirely on their master for provision and protection, mirroring the believer's dependence on God. The request for joy suggests a deep trust in God's ability to transform circumstances, aligning with the biblical theme that true joy comes from God (Psalm 16:11). This plea can be seen as a foreshadowing of the joy found in Christ, who offers eternal joy and peace to His followers (John 15:11).

for to You, O Lord
The use of "O Lord" signifies a personal and covenantal relationship with God, invoking His name as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. This reflects the understanding that God is not distant but intimately involved in the lives of His people. The phrase underscores the monotheistic belief central to the faith of Israel, contrasting with the polytheistic cultures surrounding them. It also highlights the exclusivity of worship and reliance on the one true God, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:4).

I lift up my soul
Lifting up one's soul is an expression of complete surrender and trust in God. It indicates a deep spiritual act of worship and dependence, where the psalmist offers his innermost being to God. This act of lifting up the soul is a recurring theme in the Psalms, symbolizing a heartfelt prayer and longing for God's presence and guidance (Psalm 25:1). It reflects the biblical principle that God desires a relationship with His people that involves the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. This phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, who perfectly exemplified a life of complete surrender to the Father's will (Luke 22:42).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 86, David is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his deep relationship with God, his role as the second king of Israel, and his authorship of many psalms.

2. God (Yahweh)
The one to whom David directs his prayer, seeking joy and lifting his soul. Yahweh is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness.

3. Servant
Refers to David himself, highlighting his humility and dedication to serving God.
Teaching Points
Joy in Service
True joy comes from serving God and aligning our desires with His will. David's request for joy is rooted in his identity as God's servant.

Lifting the Soul
Lifting our soul to God signifies trust and surrender. It is an act of worship and dependence, acknowledging that God is the source of our joy and strength.

Prayer as a Source of Joy
Prayer is not just a request for help but a means to experience God's presence and joy. Regular communication with God transforms our perspective and fills us with His joy.

Humility in Relationship with God
Recognizing our position as servants of God fosters humility. This humility opens the door to experiencing God's grace and joy.

God's Faithfulness
Trusting in God's faithfulness is crucial for experiencing joy. David's confidence in God’s character is the foundation of his request for joy.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does identifying as a "servant" of God influence your daily life and decisions?

2. In what ways can you "lift up your soul" to God in your current circumstances?

3. How does the concept of joy in Psalm 86:4 compare to the joy described in Philippians 4:4-7?

4. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of joy in your relationship with God?

5. How does understanding God's faithfulness help you trust Him more fully in times of need?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 25:1
This verse also speaks of lifting one's soul to the Lord, emphasizing trust and dependence on God.

Philippians 4:4-7
Paul encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord and present their requests to God, promising peace that guards hearts and minds.

Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus invites those who are weary to come to Him for rest, paralleling the idea of lifting one's burdens to God.
Soul ElevationHomilistPsalm 86:4
The Psalmist's Prayers and PleasS. Conway Psalm 86:1-5
A Pattern of PrayerA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 86:1-17
Assurances that God Will Hear PrayerA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 86:1-17
Man and the Great GodHomilistPsalm 86:1-17
People
David, Korah, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Bring, Glad, Gladden, Joy, Lift, Lifted, O, Rejoice, Servant, Soul
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 86:4

     8604   prayer, response to God

Psalm 86:3-5

     1230   God, the Lord

Library
A Sheaf of Prayer Arrows
'Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy. 2. Preserve my soul, for I am holy: O Thou my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee. 3. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto Thee daily. 4. Rejoice the soul of Thy servant: for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5. For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.'--PSALM lxxxvi. 1-5. We have here a sheaf of arrows out of a good man's quiver, shot into heaven.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

My Savior Whose Infinite Grace
"Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee." -- Psalm 86:5. My Savior whose infinite grace Most kindly encompasses me, Whose goodness more brightly I trace, The more of my life that I see. -- The sins that I mournfully own, Thy meekness and mercy exalt, -- And sweet is the voice from Thy throne, That tenderly shows me a fault. Even now, while my praises arise, A sorrowful spirit is mine; A spirit Thou wilt not despise, For O! it is mourning
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations

That it is Profitable to Communicate Often
The Voice of the Disciple Behold I come unto Thee, O Lord, that I may be blessed through Thy gift, and be made joyful in Thy holy feast which Thou, O God, of Thy goodness hast prepared for the poor.(1) Behold in Thee is all that I can and ought to desire, Thou art my salvation and redemption, my hope and strength, my honour and glory. Therefore rejoice the soul of Thy servant this day, for unto Thee, O Lord Jesus, do I lift up my soul.(2) I long now to receive Thee devoutly and reverently, I desire
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Truth of God
The next attribute is God's truth. A God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is he.' Deut 32:4. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.' Psa 57:10. Plenteous in truth.' Psa 86:15. I. God is the truth. He is true in a physical sense; true in his being: he has a real subsistence, and gives a being to others. He is true in a moral sense; he is true sine errore, without errors; et sine fallacia, without deceit. God is prima veritas, the pattern and prototype
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Sermons of St. Bernard on the Passing of Malachy
Sermon I (November 2, 1148.)[1005] 1. A certain abundant blessing, dearly beloved, has been sent by the counsel of heaven to you this day; and if it were not faithfully divided, you would suffer loss, and I, to whom of a surety this office seems to have been committed, would incur danger. I fear therefore your loss, I fear my own damnation,[1006] if perchance it be said, The young children ask bread, and no man offereth it unto them.[1007] For I know how necessary for you is the consolation which
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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