Psalms 69:21

They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

They gave {H5414}{H8799)} me also gall {H7219} for my meat {H1267}; and in my thirst {H6772} they gave me vinegar {H2558} to drink {H8248}{H8686)}.

They put poison in my food; in my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.

They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.

They gave me also gall for my food; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Commentary

Psalm 69:21 describes the profound suffering and rejection experienced by the Psalmist, often understood as King David, at the hands of his enemies. The verse states, "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." This imagery conveys extreme cruelty and mockery, offering bitter and unpleasant substances instead of comfort or sustenance.

Context of Psalm 69

Psalm 69 is a poignant lament, where the speaker cries out to God from a place of deep distress, feeling overwhelmed by troubles and persecuted by those who hate him without cause. It is a psalm of intense personal suffering, but it is also widely recognized as a Messianic psalm, containing several prophecies that find their ultimate fulfillment in the life, passion, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Psalmist's experience of being hated, scorned, and receiving bitter treatment foreshadows the sufferings of the Messiah.

Key Themes and Insights

  • Profound Suffering and Rejection: The offering of "gall for my meat" (a bitter, poisonous herb) and "vinegar to drink" in thirst highlights the deliberate malice and inhumane treatment faced by the sufferer. Instead of nourishment or refreshment, he receives substances that add to his misery, symbolizing utter contempt and cruelty.
  • Symbolism of Gall and Vinegar:
    • Gall (Hebrew: rosh or meroshot) refers to a bitter, often poisonous plant, signifying deep bitterness, distress, or moral corruption.
    • Vinegar (Hebrew: chometz) was a common, cheap drink, but offering it to a thirsty person in such circumstances was an act of deliberate unkindness, providing no true relief but rather adding to their discomfort.
  • Messianic Prophecy: This verse is notably prophetic of the suffering of Jesus Christ. During His crucifixion, the events described here were literally fulfilled:
    • Matthew 27:34 recounts that Jesus was offered "vinegar mingled with gall" (or "wine mingled with gall") to drink.
    • In John 19:28-29, after Jesus said, "I thirst," He was given sour wine (vinegar) on a sponge. This directly fulfills the second part of Psalm 69:21, demonstrating the precise nature of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah's passion.

Practical Application and Significance

For believers, Psalm 69:21 serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of suffering endured by Jesus Christ on our behalf. It underscores the reliability of God's Word and the precision of biblical prophecy, showing how events foretold centuries earlier found their exact fulfillment in the person of Jesus. It also offers comfort to those who experience unjust suffering or rejection, knowing that even the Messiah faced such profound bitterness. His endurance through such trials provides a model of perseverance and faith, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God is sovereign and His plan unfolds perfectly.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 27:34 (16 votes)

    They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted [thereof], he would not drink.

  • Mark 15:23 (13 votes)

    And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received [it] not.

  • Luke 23:36 (13 votes)

    And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

  • Matthew 27:48 (12 votes)

    And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled [it] with vinegar, and put [it] on a reed, and gave him to drink.

  • Mark 15:36 (11 votes)

    And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put [it] on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

  • John 19:28 (10 votes)

    After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

  • John 19:30 (10 votes)

    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.