Tehillim 86 | A Prayer of David

Right in the middle of the collection of psalms by the sons of Korach in the third book (Psalms 84–88), we find a psalm attributed to King David. Although Book II concluded with the line, “Here end the prayers of David, son of Yishai” (Tehillim 72:20), this is the only psalm in Book III explicitly ascribed to David. In the attached shiur, Dr. Beni Gesundheit argues that the psalms of the sons of Korach are meant to offer a path to hope following the despair reflected in the psalms of Asaf. As part of this vision, they place at the very center of their collection the ideal figure to which they aspire to return — King David. Even though David is long gone, and his prayers are supposedly complete, he is brought back to center stage for one more appearance in this psalm titled “A Prayer of David.” As every child learns in kindergarten: “David, King of Israel, lives and endures.”

This psalm is a psalm of supplication, with a heartfelt plea for divine assistance, accompanied by a promise to honor God’s name. The psalm draws upon parts of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: “For You, Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in loyalty to all who call to You… But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in kindness and truth” (verses 5, 15). There are several other places in the Tanakh where only parts of the Thirteen Attributes appear (see Yoel 2:13; Yonah 4:2; Nachum 1:3; Nehemiah 9:17). In some cases, the omissions are theologically significant; and in other cases, as in this instance, it seems to be a matter of brevity rather than deliberate exclusion.

One verse in the psalm stands out with its universal vision: “All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, Lord, adding glory to Your name” (86:9). This verse gains a greater meaning when read in connection with the following psalm — Psalm 87.