1. “Teach me Your Ways, O Lord”
Psalm 86
“Teach me Your Ways, O Lord”

2. Background
A psalm of David
A prayer
The occasion unknown

3. God’s Preservation (1-7)
(1) A request for an audience with God – acknowledgment of He whom we approach – Matt. 6:9

4. God’s Preservation (1-7)
(1) A need – “I am poor and needy” Jn. 15:5, Matt. 5:3, Luke 18:13
Is there any other way to approach God?

5. God’s Preservation (1-7)
(2) “Preserve my life, for I am holy” (“I am godly” – NASU) - not arrogance, but a surrender (I belong to You)
(3) “Be merciful to me” (1)

6. God’s Preservation (1-7)
(4) “Rejoice my soul” happiness found in Him! Rom 12:12, Phil. 4:4
(4) “To You I lift up my soul” – the LORD is the one he turns to

7. God’s Preservation (1-7)
(5) “For you Lord are”…
Good - Rom. 11:22
Ready to forgive – 2 Pet. 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:4, Micah 7:18, 1 Jn. 1:9, etc.
Abundant in mercy to all who call on Your name (2) Eph. 2:4
In difficult times don’t forget His goodness!

8. God’s Preservation (1-7)
(6-7) “Give ear to my prayer…” A simple request for God to listen to him.
A blessing His people enjoy – 1 John 5:14-15

9. God’s Power (8-10) (8) “Among the gods there is none like You…”
He is the ONLY true God cf. Ex. 20:2-5
His power demonstrated – in Egypt, against Baal, Babylon, Nineveh, etc. Dan. 3:28-29

10. God’s Power (8-10) (9) “All nations…shall worship You…”
He made every nation cf. Ac. 17:25-26
They will bow Phil. 2:9-10 Rev. 15:4

11. God’s Power (8-10) (10) “You are great and do wondrous things…”
His power demonstrated often – crossing Red Sea, 10plagues, Jericho, Mt. Carmel, Assyria, etc.
You alone are God – Isa. 44:6-8, Eph. 4:6

12. God’s Instruction (11-13) (11) “Teach me your ways…”
How can He teach us?
through His word – Psa. 119:
through experience – Psa. 37:25, Phil. 4:11, cf 1 Sam. 17:34-37
through chastisement – Heb. 12:5-11, cf. 2 Sam. 12

13. God’s Instruction (11-13)
(11) “I will walk in Your truth…” 1 John 3:21-22, 24
(11) Unite my heart to fear Your name – an attitude in agreement with God!

14. God’s Instruction (11-13)
(12) “I will praise You with my heart…forevermore” – not a one time action
(13) Great is Your mercy toward me (3) God’s part in his life!

15. God’s Instruction (11-13)
(13) “You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol” the grave Eccl. 9:10, Hos. 13:14, etc. Cf. 2 Sam. 12:22-23

16. God’s Protection (14-17)
(14) “A violent mob…” David’s plight and the cause of his prayer on this occasion! They were enemies of God as well

17. God’s Protection (14-17) (15) “But You, O Lord…”
are full of compassion
Gracious – full of grace (Jn. 1:14, 16)
Long suffering 2 Pet. 3:9, 15
Abundant in mercy (4)
And truth
2 Pet. 1:3

18. God’s Protection (14-17) (16) “Turn to me and have mercy on me…” (5)
(16) “Give your strength to Your servant and save…”

19. God’s Protection (14-17)
(17) “Show me a sign for good…” – not a miraculous sign, but God’s demonstration in his life (can we know God is there?)
“That those who hate You…” – may this “sign” cause his enemies to turn (cf. Rom. 12:17-20)

20. God’s Protection (14-17) (17) “You have helped and comforted me.”
Continual acknowledgment of His mercy and its result

21. May our prayers be offered with such fervor and faith!