Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

86:14-17 Save Me from the Insolent. The third section of the psalm explains the source of the trouble: insolent men and a band of ruthless men. These people do not set you before them (i.e., they have no respect for God), therefore it is not surprising that they seek the life of the faithful (cf. note on vv. 1-7 for the "I" singing this psalm). But the faithful need not despair, since they have no grounds for worry that God will abandon them to enemies because of their sins: God is merciful and gracious, and therefore his faithful ones can trust him to forgive and to guard (cf. note on 32:6-11). Therefore the singer is bold and finishes by repeating his request. that those who hate me may see and be put to shame. When the enemies realize that the true God actually cares for the pious, they will also realize that they have relied on a false basis of hope; this may actually lead to their conversion. This lament does not, unlike most others, end with a certainty of being heard, but that certainty has been implicit throughout.