Psalms 86:13
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 86:13
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
Chapter Context
Psalms 86 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, mercy, judgment. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-17: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 86:13
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
Analysis
For great is thy mercy toward me (כִּי־חַסְדְּךָ גָדוֹל עָלָי, ki-chasdekha gadol alai)—Chesed means steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy; gadol means great, large, abundant. And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell (וְהִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשְּׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיָּה, ve-hitzalta nafshi mi-she'ol tachtiyyah)—Hitzalta means you have delivered; she'ol tachtiyyah means the lowest Sheol, the depths of the grave.
This verse grounds praise (v. 12) in specific deliverance. God's chesed isn't abstract but experienced—he rescued David from death itself. "Lowest hell" (Sheol) represents not just physical death but the realm of the dead, separation from God. New Testament believers read this christologically: Jesus descended to the grave and rose, delivering all who trust him from ultimate death (Ephesians 4:8-9).
Historical Context
David repeatedly faced mortal danger—from Goliath, Saul's spear, enemy armies, Absalom's coup. Each deliverance confirmed God's chesed. Early Christians applied this verse to Christ's resurrection, seeing it as the ultimate deliverance from Sheol's depths.
Reflection
- From what specific "depths" has God's mercy delivered you in the past?
- How does remembering past deliverances strengthen faith during present trials?
- How does Christ's descent to death and resurrection fulfill this verse ultimately?
Word Studies
- Mercy: רַחֲמִים (Rachamim) H2617 - Compassion, mercy
Cross-References
- Grace: Psalms 57:10, Job 33:24, Luke 1:58
- Parallel theme: Psalms 16:10, 30:3, 56:13, 88:6, 116:8, Job 33:28