Proper 7/Pentecost 5/Ordinary Time 12
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Some psalms display a clear context, a human situation that has led to the writing of the hymn. Such is the case with Psalm 86. While we cannot discern the context in every detail, it is clear that this psalm arises from the lips of a person who is surrounded by fearsome enemies. These enemies are "insolent"; they rise up against the psalmist, threatening to take his life (v. 14). For his own part, he is "poor and needy," and has nowhere else to turn for protection but to the Lord (v. 1).