But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness. But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious GodThis phrase highlights the character of God as compassionate and gracious. The Hebrew words used here, "rachum" (compassionate) and "chanun" (gracious), are often used to describe God's nature throughout the Old Testament. This description of God is consistent with His self-revelation in Exodus 34:6, where He declares His nature to Moses. The compassion of God is seen in His care for His people, as demonstrated in His provision and protection throughout Israel's history. The grace of God is evident in His willingness to forgive and restore, despite human failings. This understanding of God’s character is foundational to the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing His willingness to extend mercy and favor. slow to anger
The phrase "slow to anger" is a translation of the Hebrew "erek apayim," which literally means "long of nostrils," a metaphor for patience. This attribute of God is significant in the context of His dealings with Israel, who frequently turned away from Him. Despite their repeated disobedience, God’s patience allowed for repentance and return. This patience is also a theme in the prophetic books, where God often warns of judgment but delays it to give His people time to repent. The New Testament echoes this attribute in 2 Peter 3:9, where God’s patience is linked to His desire for all to come to repentance. abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness
The Hebrew words "chesed" (loving devotion) and "emet" (faithfulness) are central to understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people. "Chesed" is often translated as "steadfast love" or "lovingkindness," and it conveys a sense of loyalty and commitment. This is the love that God shows in His covenant with Israel, a love that is unwavering despite human unfaithfulness. "Emet" refers to truth and reliability, underscoring God’s trustworthiness. These attributes are seen in God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His faithfulness in fulfilling them. In the New Testament, Jesus embodies these qualities, as seen in John 1:14, where He is described as "full of grace and truth," reflecting the same steadfast love and faithfulness of God. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe 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 central focus of this verse, God is described with attributes that highlight His character and nature, emphasizing His compassion, grace, patience, love, and truth. 3. IsraelWhile not directly mentioned in this verse, the nation of Israel is the broader context in which David writes, often experiencing God's attributes firsthand through their history. Teaching Points Understanding God's CharacterRecognize that God's nature is inherently compassionate and gracious. This understanding should shape our view of Him and our relationship with Him. Patience in Our LivesJust as God is slow to anger, we are called to emulate His patience in our interactions with others, reflecting His character in our daily lives. Abounding Love and TruthGod's love and truth are abundant and unwavering. We should strive to live in a way that reflects His love and truth to those around us. Grace in ActionGod's grace is a model for how we should extend grace to others, forgiving and showing kindness even when it is undeserved. Trust in God's FaithfulnessKnowing that God is abounding in truth, we can trust in His promises and faithfulness, even when circumstances are challenging. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's compassionate and gracious nature affect your personal relationship with Him? 2. In what ways can you practice being "slow to anger" in your daily interactions, reflecting God's patience? 3. How can you demonstrate God's "abounding love and truth" in your community or workplace? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace. How can that experience inspire you to extend grace to others? 5. How do the attributes of God described in Psalm 86:15 provide comfort and assurance in times of difficulty or uncertainty? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 34:6-7This passage describes God revealing His character to Moses, using similar language to Psalm 86:15, emphasizing God's compassion, grace, patience, love, and truth. Nehemiah 9:17This verse recounts Israel's history and God's enduring patience and mercy, echoing the attributes listed in Psalm 86:15. Jonah 4:2Jonah acknowledges God's gracious and compassionate nature, slow to anger and abounding in love, paralleling the description in Psalm 86:15. Ephesians 2:4-5Paul speaks of God's rich mercy and great love, which aligns with the attributes of God described in Psalm 86:15. People David, Korah, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Abounding, Abundant, Anger, Angry, Compassion, Compassionate, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Full, Goodness, Gracious, Kindness, Longsuffering, Long-suffering, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Merciful, Mercy, O, Pity, Plenteous, Slow, Steadfast, Truth, WisdomDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 86:15 1030 God, compassion
1095 God, patience of
1205 God, titles of
1230 God, the Lord
2015 Christ, compassion
5790 anger, divine
5934 restraint
6667 grace, in OT
8203 character Psalm 86:15-16 6688 mercy, demonstration of God's 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 86:15 NIVPsalm 86:15 NLTPsalm 86:15 ESVPsalm 86:15 NASBPsalm 86:15 KJV
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