Have you experienced in life moments of great joy in your relationship with God and then at other times, moments where you feel indifferent or your heart can even be cool toward God?

I certainly have felt all those things and that is why I was struck today by Psalm 86:4 which says,

“Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.”

Even king David had times where he needed God to ignite his soul with joy.  David prays and asks God to “gladden his soul.”  The word “gladden” is fascinating.  It “describes a state and agitation of rejoicing.”^[1]

What an interesting way to describe the meaning!  David is lifting up his soul to God and asking him to agitate it so that he is in a continual state of rejoicing!  This internal happiness comes from lifting his soul (his inner self) to God to perform his work.

The NLT translates this verse,

“Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.”

Why did David think God could agitate his soul to a state of continual rejoicing?  Verse five explains this further when it says,

“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

The word “for” in verse five is introducing why David thinks God can give him soul gladness.  It is because God is good, forgiving and abounding in his steadfast covenant love toward him that he can experience such joy. As David remembers, prays and dwells on God’s goodness and love, his soul is “stirred up” or “agitated” to a state of happiness.  As David thinks about truth it influences his soul.

Father, what a great reminder of my need for you and your constant work in my life!  I lift up my soul to you and ask you to gladden me to a state of happiness because of who you are and all you have done for me.  Thank you for your forgiveness and constant dependable love. May my soul respond appropriately by being in a state of joy as I think of these truths.

Following Jesus with you,

^[1] Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 1160.