Psalms 86:1-17
In this psalm of David (the only one in the 3rd book), he addresses himself to the LORD under several headings: he is poor and needy; he is holy (or separated); finally he is His servant. On these grounds he asks for deliverance (v. 2), joy (v. 4), strength (v. 16). For this servant knows his Master; he knows that He is God, He alone (v. 10), that He is "good and ready to forgive . . ." (v. 5), "full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth" (v. 15; see also Jonah 4:2). It was in such terms that the LORD was revealed to Moses in former days on mount Sinai (Exodus 34:6).
But the psalmist is conscious of his weakness and his inability to direct his own way. "Teach me thy way, O LORD" he asks; then "unite my heart to fear thy name" (v. 11). The heart has a tendency to be distracted by a thousand things, by a thousand stray thoughts, so the psalmist asks the Lord to give him one object alone. How much do we need to have a heart centred wholly on Christ. It is thus that power is found. "Our smallness has found in His grandeur our place and our strength" (JND). May this "prayer of David", especially v. 11, be the prayer of each one of us.