Psalms69

The psalmist, in profound distress likened to overwhelming waters, cries out to God for salvation from his numerous, unprovoked enemies. He endures deep reproach and alienation for his devotion to God, suffering a broken heart and cruel treatment. While seeking deliverance, he also calls for divine judgment upon his persecutors, concluding with a vow of praise and hope for God's future salvation of Zion.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Overwhelmed by Deep Waters

1
Save me, O God; For the waters are come in unto my soul. ​
2
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
3
I am weary with my crying; my throat is dried: Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
4
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: They that would cut me off, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: That which I took not away I have to restore. ​
5
O God, thou knowest my foolishness; And my sins are not hid from thee. ​
6
Let not them that wait for thee be put to shame through me, O Lord Jehovah of hosts: Let not those that seek thee be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. ​

Suffering Reproach for God's Sake

7
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; Shame hath covered my face.
8
I am become a stranger unto my brethren, And an alien unto my mother’s children.
9
For the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproach thee are fallen upon me. ​
10
When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, That was to my reproach.
11
When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword unto them.
12
They that sit in the gate talk of me; AndI amthe song of the drunkards. ​

Plea for Mercy and Swift Deliverance

13
But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Jehovah, in an acceptable time: O God, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness, Answer me in the truth of thy salvation. ​
14
Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: Let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
15
Let not the waterflood overwhelm me, Neither let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth upon me.
16
Answer me, O Jehovah; for thy lovingkindness is good: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies turn thou unto me.
17
And hide not thy face from thy servant; For I am in distress; answer me speedily.
18
Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: Ransom me because of mine enemies.
19
Thou knowest my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: Mine adversaries are all before thee.
20
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: And I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none.
21
They gave me also gall for my food; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. ​

A Prayer for Divine Judgment (Imprecation)

22
Let their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, let it become a trap. ​
23
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see; And make their loins continually to shake.
24
Pour out thine indignation upon them, And let the fierceness of thine anger overtake them.
25
Let their habitation be desolate; Let none dwell in their tents.
26
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; And they tell of the sorrow of those whom thou hast wounded. ​
27
Add iniquity unto their iniquity; And let them not come into thy righteousness.
28
Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous. ​
29
But I am poor and sorrowful: Let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

Vow of Praise and Hope for Zion

30
I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31
And it will please Jehovah better than an ox, Ora bullock that hath horns and hoofs. ​
32
The meek have seen it, and are glad: Ye that seek after God, let your heart live.
33
For Jehovah heareth the needy, And despiseth not his prisoners.
34
Let heaven and earth praise him, The seas, and everything that moveth therein.
35
For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah; And they shall abide there, and have it in possession. ​
36
The seed also of his servants shall inherit it; And they that love his name shall dwell therein.

Study Notes for Psalms 69

Verse 1

The superscription refers to 'Shoshannim' (Lilies), likely a musical instruction or tune. The imagery of 'waters come in unto my soul' is a metaphor for overwhelming danger, despair, and near-death experience.

Verse 4

The phrase 'hate me without a cause' is highly significant prophetically, later cited by Jesus (John 15:25). The Psalmist emphasizes the injustice of his situation: he is forced to compensate for crimes he did not commit ('restored that which I took not away').

Verse 5

While suffering persecution, David maintains humility and acknowledges his own 'foolishness' and 'sins' before God, ensuring that his plea is grounded in dependence, not self-righteousness.

Verse 6

David’s concern extends beyond himself; he asks God to vindicate him so that his trial does not cause other faithful worshipers (those who 'wait on thee') to lose heart or be ashamed.

Verse 9

“The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” describes David’s consuming passion for God’s honor and pure worship. This verse is quoted in the New Testament to explain Jesus’ actions when cleansing the temple (John 2:17).

Verse 12

'They that sit in the gate' refers to city elders or magistrates, indicating that the mockery and slander came from those in positions of authority as well as from common drunkards.

Verse 13

The phrase 'acceptable time' suggests a moment when God is particularly disposed to hear the prayer of the afflicted, often tied to a posture of repentance and faith.

Verse 21

This verse is a profound Messianic prophecy. The offering of 'gall' (a poisonous or bitter herb) and 'vinegar' (sour wine) to the suffering Psalmist finds its direct fulfillment during Christ's crucifixion (Matt. 27:34, 48).

Verse 22

This begins a difficult section known as an Imprecatory Psalm, where the Psalmist asks God to execute justice. The curses are appeals to God, the righteous Judge, to punish the hardened, covenant-breaking enemies.

Verse 26

The basis for the severe judgment is that the enemies persecute those whom God himself has already disciplined ('him whom thou hast smitten'). They mock and add pain to those already afflicted by divine chastening.

Verse 28

'Blotted out of the book of the living' is a metaphor for death and exclusion from the community of the righteous in this life, implying utter non-existence or destruction among the people of God.

Verse 31

David asserts that heartfelt praise and magnifying God with thanksgiving is a superior form of worship, foreshadowing the prophetic realization that spiritual devotion is better than mere animal sacrifice.

Verse 35

The psalm shifts from personal lament to communal hope. The final verses look forward to the future salvation and restoration of Zion and the rebuilding of Judah, demonstrating that the ultimate deliverance is corporate and eschatological.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options