“I will praise thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore” (Psalm 86:12).

In our text we see David’s deep desire to praise and glorify God with his whole heart and lift up the LORD’s name even forevermore. Certainly, this is a worthy goal for all believers. In verses 13 and 15 we find three basic reasons why this should be done. Because of the greatness of the mercy of God. “For great is thy mercy toward me”(v.13). The mercy of God flows from the love of God. Because God loves us, His mercy is extended to us through Christ. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4,5). Jeremiah stated, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22,23). Because of the greatness of the salvation of the LORD. “And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” (Psalm 86:13). Deliverance of the soul from the lowest hell was something for which David was extremely grateful and for which he gave great praise to God. A person’s soul is his very life. Thus, to have that soul spend eternity in an endless hell is a tragedy, especially since Christ has already procured heaven for those who trust in Him. Because of the greatness of the attributes of God. “But thou, O LORD art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (v.15).

He shows compassion toward His children; grace and mercy to His new-born ones; longsuffering to those who fail, and He is ever faithful to fulfill all His promises.

Praising and glorifying God is the outward expression of a grateful heart. NPS