Psalm 86(A)

Give ear to my cry, O Comforter, and answer me, for I am sorely in need of You. Awaken new life in me, as I yearn to do your Will; dispel the ignorance of my ways, as I put my trust in You. (Psalm 86 Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying)

Psalm 86

Reflection:

Psalm 86 is written with phrases from the writer’s other favorite psalms combined in a powerful way to affirm faith in God even in the dark, disorienting seasons. The psalm is focused on God’s character, “Merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (v 15b) and the psalmist’s trust that God is on the side of the most vulnerable and needy. God is with us even in the worst of times. This divine presence does not guaranty prosperity, but simply affirms that we are never alone; never separated from Love. God is not frightened away by our desperation, our fears, or our imperfections. No matter the circumstances, God is with us. 

I began writing Psalm reflections during Lent of 2020 shortly after we decided to close the church building, work from home, and worship via zoom.  It is a practice I have continued since.  Many churches use the Revised Common Lectionary (RLC) that rotates scripture on a three-year cycle (A, B, and C).  Starting in Advent 2019, Third Church decided to worship with the texts from Year D, which is still not circulated as are years A, B, and C.  Year D was created with the goal of including scriptures that were left out or not used as frequently as others.  While we were using Psalms in year D, most other lectionary followers were using Year A.  In Advent of 2020 we rejoined those who use the lectionary in year B.  Advent of 2021 year C.  Advent of 2022 year A.

I use the Vanderbilt Divinity Library’s resource for lectionary readings to make text selections.

Year A Psalms

1^st Sunday in Advent Psalm 122, 2^nd Sunday in Advent Psalm 72, 3^rd Sunday in Advent Psalm 146, 4^th Sunday in Advent Psalm 80, Christmas Psalm 96, Psalm 97, Psalm 98, 1^st Sunday after Christmas Psalm 148, New Year Psalm 8, Epiphany Psalm 72, 1^st Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 29, 2^nd Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 40, 3^rd Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 27, 4^th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 15, 5^th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 112, 6^th Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 119, Transfiguration Sunday Psalm 2 or Psalm 99.

Ash Wednesday Psalm 51, 1^st Sunday in Lent Psalm 32, 2^nd Sunday in Lent Psalm 121, 3^rdSunday in Lent Psalm 95, 4^th Sunday in Lent Psalm 23, 5^th Sunday in Lent Psalm 130, 6^th Sunday in Lent Psalm 118 or Psalm 31.

Holy Week: Monday Psalm 36, Tuesday Psalm 71, Wednesday Psalm 70, Thursday Psalm 116, Friday Psalm 22, Saturday Psalm 31.

Easter Psalm 118 or Psalm 114, 2^nd Sunday of Easter Psalm 16, 3^rd Sunday of Easter Psalm 116, 4^th Sunday of Easter Psalm 23, 5^th Sunday of Easter Psalm 31, 6^th Sunday of Easter Psalm 66, Ascension of the Lord Psalm 47 or Psalm 93, 7^th Sunday of Easter Psalm 68, Pentecost Psalm 104.

1^st Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 8, 2^nd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 33 or Psalm 50, 3^rd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 116 or Psalm 100, 4^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 86 or Psalm 69, 5^thSunday after Pentecost Psalm 13 or Psalm 89, 6^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 45 or Psalm 145, 7^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 119 or Psalm 65, 8^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 139 or Psalm 86, 9^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 105 or Psalm 119, 10^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 17 or Psalm 145, 11^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 105 or Psalm 85, 12^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 133 or Psalm 67, 13^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 124 or Psalm 138, 14^thSunday after Pentecost Psalm 105 or Psalm 26, 15^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 149 or Psalm 119, 16^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 114 or Psalm 103, 17^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 105 or Psalm 145, 18^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 78 or Psalm 25, 19^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 19 or Psalm 80, 20^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 106 or Psalm 23, 21^stSunday after Pentecost Psalm 99 or Psalm 96, 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 90 or Psalm 1, 23^rd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 107 or Psalm 43, 24^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 78 or Psalm 70, 25^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 123 or Psalm 90, 26^th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 100 or Psalm 95.

Sources and notes:

“Psalm 86 is a prayer for help in first person singular style. Studies of this psalm always observe that its is largely composed of phrases and expressions found in other psalms and texts (e.g., compare v. 1b and 40:17; v. 4b and 25:1; v. 11a and 27:11; v. 14 and 54:3; vv. 15, 5 and Exod. 34:6).” Mays p. 278

“It has been written so that whoever uses the psalm prays with a sustained concentration on the character of God and the identity of the one who prays.” Mays p. 278

“It illustrates in an almost summary way the theological setting of these prayers and so offers an agenda to guide reflection in prayer.” Mays p. 279

“With its puzzling placement as one of the only two individual laments in the midst of the communal laments in book 3 of the Psalter (Ps 88 is the other), Psalm 86 grabs our attention. Interpreters have described it rather simply as an “anthology” or “collage” of borrowings from other texts; for example, compare v. 1a and Psalm 102:2b.” W p. 339 In the foot note after this quote the other texts are listed: “For other parallels, see v. 1b and Ps 40:17a; v.2 and Ps 25:50; v. 4b and Ps 25:1; v. 8 and 2 Sam 7:22; 1Kgs 8:23; and Jer 10:6-7; v. 10a, “you are great,” and Deut 10:17; Her 10:6; Pss 48:1; 95:3; 147:5; v. 10b, “you alone are God,” and 2 Kgs 19:19; Pss 72:18; 83:18; 136:4; 148:13; v. 11a and Ps 27:11a; v. 14 and Ps 54:3; vv.5 and 15 with Ps 103:8 and Exod 34:6; v. 16a and Ps 25:16a.” Then back to the text on the page, “These “borrowings” are combined, however, in a powerful way in Psalm 86 and deserve a second look. The superscription, “A prayer of David,” is the only David attribution in book 3. This superscription begs reassignment, since the psalm opens with a twofold petition to God supported by the motivation “for I am poor and needy” (v. 1b, hardly a descriptor of the future second king of Israel who is the resourceful son of the well-off Jesse of Bethlehem.” W p. 339

“The psalmist counts herself among the most vulnerable in Israel: widows, orphans, and strangers/aliens (Exod 23:6, 9; Deut 24:17-18; Prov 31:9; Pss 10:2; 82:3; Isa 32:7; Job 24). In her vulnerability she seeks God’s protection in vv. 1-2 (cp. Pss 40:17; 70:5; 109:22) because God cares especially for the needy (Pss 9:18; 10:12; 35:10, 82:3-4; 138: 6).” W pp. 339-340

“Clinging to God, the psalmist describes herself as God’s “servant” three times, in vv. 2b, 4a, and 16b, using the possessive suffix “your” each time to claim relationship. In v. 16c the psalmist petitions God: “save the child of your serving girl.”. W. p. 340

The story of Moses and Miriam and their mother Jochebed come to mind when reading this psalm and “We can imagine a new superscription for Psalm 86: “A prayer of Jochebed when she plays her son in the basket in the Nile.” W p. 345 

“The movement of the psalm is parallel to that of Psalm 13, from trouble to confidence, but the moves are much more complex. What interests us here is the speaker’s relentless reference to Yahweh. In the midst of the darkness, in the season of disorientations, Yahweh is affirmed, known to be the one who abides, who is not intimidated or alienated by the disorientation. The creedal claims of Yahweh are still credible in the darkness, perhaps especially credible here.” Brueggemann, Walter. (1984). The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg. p. 63

Altar, Robert.  2007.  The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary New York: W. W. Norton & Company

WBC Allen, Leslie C. 1983. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 101-150. Vol. 21. Waco, TX: Word Books, Publisher.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 1974. Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible. 8th ed. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Press.

Bourgeault, C. (2006). Chanting the psalms: A practical guide Audio Book. New Seeds.

Brueggemann, Walter. 2007. Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit. 2nd ed. Eugene, OR: Cascade.

Brueggemann Brueggemann, Walter. 2014. From Whom No Secrets Are Hid: Introducing the Psalms. Edited by Brent A. Strawn. 1st ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

Brueggemann, Walter. Davis Hanskins, Editor. 2022.  Our Hearts Wait: Worshiping Through Praise and Lament in the Psalms Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY.

Brueggemann, Walter. (2002). Spirituality of the psalms. Augsburg Pub. House. 

Brueggemann, Walter. (1984). The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg.

Chilson, Richard, ed. You Shall Not Want: A Spiritual Journey Based on the Psalms. Ave Maria Press, 2009.

Chittister Chittister, Joan. (2011). Songs of the heart: reflections on the psalms. John Garratt Publishing. 

Cudjoe-Wilkes, G., Wilkes, A. J., & Moss, O. (2022). Psalms for black lives: Reflections for the work of Liberation. Upper Room Books. 

WBC Craigie, Peter C. 1983. Psalms 1-50–Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 19. Waco, TX: Word Books.

Creach Creach, Jerome Frederick Davis. 1998. Psalms: Interpretation Bible Studies. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

DAFLER, J. (2021). PSOBRIETY: A journey of recovery through the psalms. Louisville, KY: WESTMINSTER JOHN KNOX.

W de Claisse-Walford, Nancy L. WISDOM COMMENTARY: Psalms Bks. 4-5. Edited by Barbara E. Reid. Vol. 22. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2020. 

Green, Barbara. 1997. Like a Tree Planted: An Exploration of Psalms and Parables Through Metaphor. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press. 

W Hopkins, Denise Dombkowski. WISDOM COMMENTARY: Psalms Bks. 2-3. Edited by Barbara E. Reid. Vol. 21. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2016. 

NIB Keck, Leander E. 2015. The New Interpreters Bible Commentary. Vol. 3. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

Lewis, C. S. (2017). Reflections on the Psalms. Harper One, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers. 

Mays Mays, James Luther. 1994. Psalms. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press.

McCann McCann, J. C. (1993). A theological introduction to the book of Psalms: The Psalms as Torah. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

McCann, J. C., & Howell, J. C. 2001. Preaching the Psalms. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

Merrill, N. C. (2020). Psalms for praying an invitation to wholeness (10th Anniversary Edition ed.). London, England: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Miller Miller, Patrick D. 1986. Interpreting the Psalms. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press.

Morgan, Michael. 2010.  The Psalter for Christian Worship Revised Edition. Westminster John Knox Press.

Schlimm Schlimm, Matthew Richard. 2018. 70 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know.Nashville, TN: Abington Press.

Spong Spong, M. (Ed.). (2020). The words of her mouth: Psalms for the struggle. Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press.

WBC Tate, Marvin E. 1990. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 51-100. Edited by David Allan. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker. Vol. 20. Waco, TX: Word.

Weems, Ann. 1995. Psalm of Lament. Westminster John Knox Pres

OTL Weiser, Artur. 1998. Old Testament Library: Psalms. Translated by Herbert Hartwell. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Manchester University Press.