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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 86:9

Verse 9 9All nations which thou hast made shall come. (485) If any would rather limit what is here stated to David’s present case, this view does not seem liable to any material objection. He, in fact, often enhances the Divine goodness of which he himself had experience by the like magnificent strain. It may, however, be fitly extended to the universal power of God; but whether he speaks of the grace that was bestowed upon himself alone, or treats, in general, of the works of God, we must bear... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 86:10

Verse 10 10.For thou art great, and thou alone, O God! doest wondrous things. In this verse there is again repeated the cause which will bring all nations to worship before the Lord, namely, the discovery made of his glory by the greatness of his works. The contemplation of God’s glory in his works is the true way of acquiring genuine godliness. The pride of the flesh would always lead it to wing its way into heaven; but, as our understandings fail us in such an extended investigation, our most... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 86:11

Verse 11 11.Show me thy ways, O Jehovah! David now rises higher, praying that he may be governed by the spirit of sound understanding, in order to his living a holy life, and that he may be strengthened in his endeavors thereto by the spirit of fortitude. He tacitly contrasts the ways of God with all the counsels which he could derive from carnal reason. In submitting himself to God, and in imploring Him to be his guide, he confesses that the only possible way by which we can be enabled to live... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:1-17

Metrically, it seems to divide itself, like Psalms 85:1-13 ; into three strophes, two shorter, and one longer, the former being of five verses each, and the latter of seven. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:6-10

In this second strophe praise is predominant. Prayer occupies two verses only ( Psalms 86:6 , Psalms 86:7 ); in the other three ( Psalms 86:8-10 ) God is magnified and glorified. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:8

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord (see the Song of Moses, Exodus 15:11 ). The imaginary gods of the heathen—not, perhaps, known to the psalmist to be wholly imaginary—are probably meant (comp. Psalms 77:19 ; Psalms 89:6 ; Psalms 95:3 ). Neither are there any works like unto thy works. So in Deuteronomy 3:24 , "What god is there in heaven or in earth that can do according to thy works?" read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:8

God incomparable. "Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord." It may be asked Why should God be compared with gods that Scripture so vigorously declares are no gods? It is enough to reply that all teachers must come down to the level of those whom they would teach; and begin by accepting their ideas in order to lead them on and up to higher and worthier. Calvin puts this point well. "Should any one assert that it is unseemly to compare God to the empty fictions, the answer is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:9

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord (comp. Psalms 72:11 , Psalms 72:17 ; Psalms 82:8 , etc.). Since God had made all nations ( Acts 17:26 ), it was safe to conclude that they would all one day worship him. The prophecy, however, still remains unfulfilled. And shall glorify thy Name. Either with their lips, or in their lives, or in both ways. Compare the anticipations of Isaiah ( Isaiah 66:23 ), Zephaniah ( Zephaniah 2:10 ), and Zechariah (... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:9

Grace triumphant. The declaration of God's ultimate possession of all hearts, which is involved in this verse, is found not here alone (cf. Psalms 22:27 ; Psalms 66:4 ; Isaiah 66:18 , Isaiah 66:23 ; John 12:32 ; Philippians 2:10 , Philippians 2:11 , etc.); and, assuredly, it is the spirit of the whole Scripture. And such considerations as the following sustain such blessed belief. I. THAT IT IS A FAITH WHICH SO COMMENDS ITSELF TO THE CONSCIENCE OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 86:9

God glorifying his own Name. By letting that Name be known among the Gentiles, so that they glorify him. At last all the world shall unite in lifting up holy hands and loving hearts to God, and unite in singing, "Praise God, praise God; This conception of the universal acknowledgment of Jehovah is strange for an exclusive Jew, and is a foreshadowing of Christian ideas. We are to think of God as seeking the glorifying of his Name in this—that every creature made in his image unites in the... read more

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