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.

Overwhelmed by Deep Waters

1
For the leader. Set to "Lilies." By David: Save me, God! For the water threatens my life. ​
2
I am sinking down in the mud, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep water; the flood is sweeping over me.
3
I am exhausted from crying, my throat is dry and sore, my eyes are worn out with looking for my God.
4
Those who hate me for no reason outnumber the hairs on my head. My persecutors are powerful, my enemies accuse me falsely. Am I expected to return things I didn't steal? ​
5
God, you know how foolish I am; my guilt is not hidden from you. ​
6
Let those who put their hope in you, Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot, not be put to shame through me; let those who are seeking you, God of Isra'el, not be disgraced through me. ​

Suffering Reproach for God's Sake

7
For your sake I suffer insults, shame covers my face.
8
I am estranged from my brothers, an alien to my mother's children,
9
because zeal for your house is eating me up, and on me are falling the insults of those insulting you. ​
10
I weep bitterly, and I fast, but that too occasions insults.
11
I clothe myself with sackcloth and become an object of scorn, 856
12
the gossip of those sitting by the town gate, the theme of drunkards' songs. ​

Plea for Mercy and Swift Deliverance

13
As for me, ADONAI, let my prayer to you come at an acceptable time; In your great grace, God, answer me with the truth of your salvation. ​
14
Rescue me from the mud! Don't let me sink! Let me be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep water.
15
Don't let the floodwaters overwhelm me, don't let the deep swallow me up, don't let the pit close its mouth over me.
16
Answer me, ADONAI, for your grace is good; in your great mercy, turn to me.
17
Don't hide your face from your servant, for I am in trouble; answer me quickly.
18
Come near to me, and redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies.
19
You know how I am insulted, shamed and disgraced; before you stand all my foes.
20
Insults have broken my heart to the point that I could die. I hoped that someone would show compassion, but nobody did; and that there would be comforters, but I found none.
21
They put poison in my food; in my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. ​

A Prayer for Divine Judgment (Imprecation)

22
Let their dining table before them become a snare; when they are at peace, let it become a trap; ​
23
let their eyes be darkened, so that they can't see, and let their bodies always be stumbling.
24
Pour out your fury on them, let your fierce anger overtake them.
25
Let the place where they live be desolate, with no one to live in their tents,
26
for persecuting someone you had already stricken, for adding to the pain of those you wounded. ​
27
Add guilt to their guilt, don't let them enter your righteousness.
28
Erase them from the book of life, let them not be written with the righteous. ​
29
Meanwhile, I am afflicted and hurting; God, let your saving power raise me up.

Vow of Praise and Hope for Zion

30
I will praise God's name with a song and extol him with thanksgiving.
31
This will please ADONAI more than a bull, with its horns and hoofs. ​
32
The afflicted will see it and rejoice; you seeking after God, let your heart revive.
33
For ADONAI pays attention to the needy and doesn't scorn his captive people.
34
Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them.
35
For God will save Tziyon, he will build the cities of Y'hudah. [His people] will settle there and possess it. ​
36
The descendants of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will live there.

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