Exploring a Psalm of David is tantamount to dissecting the human mind-the more waves that are pursued; the more the circuits unfold to reveal even more exciting new strands to pursue.
Notice in this statement that David wishes to be heard. He asks the Lord to bow down so that he would be closer to hear David's cry. David doesn't want Him to bow down to just take a closer look, he wants Him to bow down in order to pay attention and to hear his plaintive cry. In gist David is saying, "Incline thine ear to hear me!" Even as a Mother's ear is attentive to hear the cry of her baby, even in the middle of the night, so also is God's ear inclined and open to hear the cry of His children.
Why is David appealing to God? He says the reason is that he is poor and needy. David was a King and as such was not a poor man in need of this world's goods. He is referring to a different type of need, poverty, and a need of his soul. It is possible that the richest of men can be rich in the things of the Lord but it can also be stated that there are many wealthy people who are in extreme poverty. David's need is to be filled with the riches of God's spirit. Remember the words of Jesus when he said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." David's spiritual tire was flat and he needed God to fix it.
David, here in these words, is appealing to God for compassion, mercy, tenderness, and gentleness. This is not a quick, off the cuff request, neither is it just an annual concern. David says, “I cry unto thee, daily.” Each and every day David's cry came to God. There was no self-sufficiency in his appeal. David was not waiting for an emergency in order to call upon God; he came daily, with his request. The apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Philippians- "...In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God; which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
David appeals to one of the attributes of God- goodness. We make the comment that God is good, all the time! This is true, however, He is not only good, but he is "ready" at all times to forgive. The important thing that David recognizes is that he must call upon Him. It is a given that God is not a respecter of persons and He is impartial in His willingness to forgive all that call upon Him. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, [exists] and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
David had found a pat answer to his prayerful pleas. They are- P for petition A. for adoration and T. for thanksgiving. He responds with an interesting statement, "I will walk in Thy truth." David walked not in the counsel of the ungodly but his delight was in the law of the Lord, and in this law did he meditate day and night. "Teach me thy way, O Lord. I will walk in Thy truth!"
Reference: Psalm 86, Philippians 6, Hebrews 11:6, Matt. 6, Psm. 1.
David’s spiritual tire was flat and he needed God to fix it.