For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol. For great is Your loving devotion toward meThe phrase begins with "For great," which in Hebrew is "כִּי גָדוֹל" (ki gadol). The word "gadol" signifies something vast, mighty, or significant. This sets the tone for the verse, emphasizing the magnitude of God's actions and character. The term "loving devotion" is translated from the Hebrew word "חֶסֶד" (chesed), which is a rich, multifaceted word often rendered as "steadfast love," "mercy," or "covenant loyalty." It reflects God's unwavering commitment to His people, a love that is both relational and covenantal. Historically, this concept of "chesed" is foundational in understanding the relationship between God and Israel, as it underscores His faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. The phrase "toward me" personalizes this divine attribute, reminding believers that God's immense love is not just a general truth but a personal reality for each individual. You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol
The word "delivered" comes from the Hebrew "נָצַל" (natsal), which means to snatch away, rescue, or save. This action is indicative of God's power and willingness to intervene in the direst of circumstances. "My soul" refers to the Hebrew "נֶפֶשׁ" (nephesh), which encompasses the whole being, not just the immaterial part of a person. It signifies that God's deliverance is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of one's life. "The depths of Sheol" is a phrase that evokes the Hebrew "תַּחְתִּיּוֹת שְׁאוֹל" (takhtiyot Sheol). "Sheol" is often understood as the realm of the dead or the grave, a place of darkness and separation from the living. In ancient Near Eastern thought, Sheol was a shadowy existence, and being delivered from it signifies a profound act of salvation and restoration to life. This deliverance is not just physical but also spiritual, symbolizing redemption from sin and death. Historically, this reflects the hope of resurrection and eternal life, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture and finds its fulfillment in the New Testament through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 86, David is expressing his personal relationship with God, highlighting God's faithfulness and deliverance. 2. GodThe central figure in this verse, God is depicted as loving and devoted, providing deliverance and salvation. 3. SheolIn Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, often seen as a place of darkness and separation from God. Teaching Points Understanding God's Loving DevotionGod's love is not just an emotion but an active commitment to His people, demonstrated through His actions and faithfulness. Deliverance from Spiritual DeathJust as David was delivered from Sheol, believers are delivered from spiritual death through Christ's sacrifice. Gratitude for SalvationRecognizing the depths from which God has saved us should lead to a life of gratitude and worship. Trust in God's FaithfulnessIn times of trouble, we can trust in God's unwavering devotion and His power to deliver us from any "depths" we face. Living in the Light of DeliveranceOur lives should reflect the reality of being delivered from darkness, living in the light of God's love and grace. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the concept of Sheol enhance our appreciation for God's deliverance in Psalm 86:13? 2. In what ways can we see God's "loving devotion" in our daily lives, and how should this impact our relationship with Him? 3. How does the theme of deliverance in Psalm 86:13 connect with the New Testament understanding of salvation through Christ? 4. Reflect on a time when you felt delivered from a "depth" in your life. How did this experience shape your faith and trust in God? 5. How can we cultivate a heart of gratitude for God's deliverance, and what practical steps can we take to express this gratitude in our communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 103:4This verse also speaks of God redeeming life from the pit, emphasizing His mercy and lovingkindness. Jonah 2:2Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish echoes the theme of deliverance from Sheol, highlighting God's power to save. Ephesians 2:4-5Paul speaks of God's great love and mercy, making us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, paralleling the deliverance from Sheol. Isaiah 38:17Hezekiah's song of thanksgiving for deliverance from death reflects the same gratitude for God's saving power. Romans 8:38-39Paul assures that nothing can separate us from the love of God, reinforcing the theme of God's unwavering devotion. People David, Korah, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Deep, Delivered, Depths, Grave, Hast, Hell, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Lowest, Mercy, Nether-world, Places, Sheol, Soul, Steadfast, Towards, UnderworldDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 86:13 5288 dead, the
9540 Sheol Psalm 86:12-13 8660 magnifying God 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 ScriptureMy 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 Links Psalm 86:13 NIVPsalm 86:13 NLTPsalm 86:13 ESVPsalm 86:13 NASBPsalm 86:13 KJV
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