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
Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck! ​
2
I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
3
I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
4
Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn’t take away. ​
5
God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren’t hidden from you. ​
6
Don’t let those who wait for you be shamed through me, Lord GOD of Hosts. Don’t let those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, God of Israel. ​

Suffering Reproach for God's Sake

7
Because for your sake, I have borne reproach. Shame has covered my face.
8
I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s children.
9
For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. ​
10
When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach.
11
When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.
12
Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards. ​

Plea for Mercy and Swift Deliverance

13
But as for me, my prayer is to you, LORD, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation. ​
14
Deliver me out of the mire, and don’t let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.
15
Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don’t let the pit shut its mouth on me.
16
Answer me, LORD, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me.
17
Don’t hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me speedily!
18
Draw near to my soul, and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies.
19
You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor. My adversaries are all before you.
20
Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; for comforters, but I found none.
21
They also gave me gall for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. ​

A Prayer for Divine Judgment (Imprecation)

22
Let their table before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap. ​
23
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can’t see. Let their backs be continually bent.
24
Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
25
Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents.
26
For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt. ​
27
Charge them with crime upon crime. Don’t let them come into your righteousness.
28
Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous. ​
29
But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me.

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
It will please the LORD better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs. ​
32
The humble have seen it, and are glad. You who seek after God, let your heart live.
33
For the LORD hears the needy, and doesn’t despise his captive people.
34
Let heaven and earth praise him; the seas, and everything that moves therein!
35
For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it. ​
36
The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who 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.

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