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
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. 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 of 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 mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. ​
5
O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. ​
6
Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, 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 thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. ​
10
When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
11
I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
12
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. ​

Plea for Mercy and Swift Deliverance

13
But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear 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 overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
16
Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
17
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
18
Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
19
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: 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 meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. ​

A Prayer for Divine Judgment (Imprecation)

22
Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. ​
23
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
24
Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
25
Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
26
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief 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 the living, 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
This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. ​
32
The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
33
For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
34
Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
35
For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell 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.

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