Sermon Bible Commentary
Psalms 86:17
I. "Show me a token for good." The want thus expressed is a spiritual want; the prayer therefore is for spiritual relief. It is a token of love to his soul, a token of spiritual and eternal good, for which the Psalmist prays.
II. Suppose that some particular tendency of our evil nature has long held us in bondage, and that we are conscious of what the Apostle calls "a sin which easily besets us." What in such a case would be the right use of the words before us? Surely they should suggest to us an earnest prayer to God to show us one of His special tokens, to encourage our weak faith, to animate our feeble efforts, by a season of unwonted success I mean by enabling us but for once so to overcome our sin, that we may see for ourselves how near help really is, and how surely He hears our prayers.
III. It may be said indeed, and said truly, that such tokens ought not to be needed. We must beware of perverting the text so as to suppose that our Christian faith is to be built upon so unstable a foundation as the impressions and feelings of our own minds, or that our struggles with evil can safely be postponed until some such special help be vouchsafed to us.
IV. The time, and the manner, and the degree of our comfort in spiritual things, as in earthly, must be left implicitly at God's disposal. While this is remembered and confessed, the prayer of the Psalmist is safe and wise. What God desires is that we should seek our happiness in Him; and then He sets no bounds to prayer or expectation.
C. J. Vaughan, Harrow Sermons,2nd series, p. 223
I. Look, first, at Divine help. "Thou, Lord, hast holpen me!" (1) It is in the very nature and disposition of God to give help. (2) Sin is a hindrance to our reception of Divine help, but for the removal of this obstacle God has made a large provision in the redemption which He has provided. (3) God's ability to help is perfect, and His resources unlimited, almighty. (4) God helps by various agencies; and these are chosen by His own wisdom, superintended by His own eye, and made efficient by His own power. (5) God helps us individually. (6) God helps us perfectly and efficiently.
II. Look, next, at godly consolation. "Thou hast comforted me." (1) God comforts by the undergrowth of small alleviations in trouble. (2) God comforts by calling our attention to some solace present with us which we have overlooked. (3) God comforts us by revelations of a bright future. (4) God comforts us introuble, and He comforts us by taking away trouble. (5) God comforts us by the direct action of His mind Upon our mind; by His word, especially by His word of promise; and by our fellow-men, especially by our fellow-Christians. (6) God comforts us by drawing us near to Himself. (7) God gives help and comfort from the sanctuary.
S. Martin, Comfort in Trouble,p. 120.
References: Psalms 86:17. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxvi., No. 1559. Psalms 87:2. G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons,p. 249. Psalms 87:3. A. M. Fairbairn, The City of God,p. 349. Psalms 87:6. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. vii., No. 382.Psalms 87 A. B. Bruce, Expositor,1st series, vol. x., p. 134.