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.
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Overwhelmed by Deep Waters

1
Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck. ​
2
I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me.
3
I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me— my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay. ​
5
You know my folly, O God, and my guilt is not hidden from You. ​
6
May those who hope in You not be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of Hosts; may those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel. ​

Suffering Reproach for God's Sake

7
For I have endured scorn for Your sake, and shame has covered my face.
8
I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons,
9
because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. ​
10
I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach.
11
I made sackcloth my clothing, and I was sport to them.
12
Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards. ​

Plea for Mercy and Swift Deliverance

13
But my prayer to You, O LORD, is for a time of favor. In Your abundant loving devotion, O God, answer me with Your sure salvation. ​
14
Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters.
15
Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me.
16
Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.
17
Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!
18
Draw near to my soul and redeem me; ransom me because of my foes.
19
You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You.
20
Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.
21
They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst. ​

A Prayer for Divine Judgment (Imprecation)

22
May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap. ​
23
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.
24
Pour out Your wrath upon them, and let Your burning anger overtake them.
25
May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
26
For they persecute the one You struck and recount the pain of those You wounded. ​
27
Add iniquity to their iniquity; let them not share in Your righteousness.
28
May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous. ​
29
But I am in pain and distress; let Your salvation protect me, O God.

Vow of Praise and Hope for Zion

30
I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.
31
And this will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves. ​
32
The humble will see and rejoice. You who seek God, let your hearts be revived!
33
For the LORD listens to the needy and does not despise His captive people.
34
Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them.
35
For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and possess it. ​
36
The descendants of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His name will settle in it.

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.

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