The Treasury of David
by C.H. Spurgeon

EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS
(Psalms 86 Verse 16)

 

EXPOSITION

Verse 16. O turn unto me. As though the face of God had been before averted in anger, the suppliant pleads for a return of conscious favour. One turn of God's face will turn all our darkness into day.

And have mercy upon me, that is all he asks, for he is lowly in heart; that is all he wants, for mercy answereth all a sinner's needs.

Give thy strength unto thy servant. Gird me with it that I may serve thee, guard me with it that I may not be overcome. When the Lord gives us his own strength we are sufficient for all emergencies, and have no cause to fear any adversaries.

And save the son of thine handmaid. He meant that he was a home born servant of God. As the sons of slaves were their master's property by their birth, so he gloried in being the son of a woman who herself belonged to the Lord. What others might think a degrading illustration he uses with delight, to show how intensely he loved the Lord's service; and also as a reason why the Lord should interpose to rescue him, seeing that he was no newly purchased servant, but had been in the house from his very birth.

 

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 16. Save the son of thine handmaid. Deliver me, who am as completely thy property, as the offspring of a female slave born in her master's house, and which belongs of right to him. Genesis 14:14; Jeremiah 2:14. --William Keatinge Clay.

 

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 16. --

  1. My pedigree -- "son of thine handmaid."
  2. My occupation -- "thy servant."
  3. My character -- needing "mercy."
  4. My request "turn unto me."

Verse 16. -- In what respects a servant of God may be girt with divine power.


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