Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
David sets before God his wretchedness and need, then answers carnal reason's despair with God's infinite goodness and power. He does not merely ask escape from enemies; he prays that the fear of God take root and hold firm in his heart.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 86:1-17
Rejoice the soul of thy servant. Make my heart glad, O my Maker, for I count it my honour to call myself again and again thy servant, and I reckon thy favour to be all the wages I could desire. I look for all my happiness in thee only, and therefore unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
This psalm was published under the title of a prayer of David; not as if David sung all his prayers, but into some of his songs he inserted prayers; for a psalm will admit the expressions of any pious and devout affections.
Commenting on Psalm 86:1-7