Psalms 69:28

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Let them be blotted {H4229}{H8735)} out of the book {H5612} of the living {H2416}, and not be written {H3789}{H8735)} with the righteous {H6662}.

Erase them from the book of life, let them not be written with the righteous.

May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous.

Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous.

Psalms 69:28 is a powerful and direct imprecation (a prayer for judgment) from a psalm of lament by David. It expresses a fervent desire for the ultimate separation of the wicked from the community of God's faithful, calling for their removal from divine remembrance and association with the righteous.

Context

Psalm 69 is a deeply emotional and prophetic psalm, often referred to as a "Messianic Psalm" because many of its verses foreshadow the suffering of Jesus Christ (e.g., John 19:29, Romans 15:3). David, in great distress, is crying out to God against his numerous enemies who persecute him without cause. The preceding verses detail the severe suffering and injustice he endures, leading to this strong appeal for divine retribution. This verse is part of a series of curses invoked upon those who maliciously oppose God's anointed one.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse is a plea for God's righteous judgment against those who oppose Him and His people. It reflects a belief in God's ultimate justice, where the wicked will not go unpunished.
  • The Book of Life: The phrase "book of the living" refers to a divine register, often understood as the Book of Life or God's roll of those who belong to Him and are destined for eternal life. To be "blotted out" means to be eternally erased from God's favorable remembrance and fellowship. This concept is found in various parts of Scripture, indicating God's meticulous knowledge of individuals (Exodus 32:32-33, Philippians 4:3).
  • Exclusion from the Righteous: Not being "written with the righteous" signifies an eternal separation from God's elect, those who are justified by faith and live according to His will. It highlights the stark spiritual divide between those who serve God and those who reject Him, a theme echoed throughout the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 1:6).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "blotted out" is machah (מָחָה), which means to wipe out, erase, obliterate, or utterly destroy. It implies a complete and irreversible removal. When applied to a book or scroll, it means to remove the name from being recorded, signifying a permanent exclusion. This word underscores the finality of the judgment being sought.

Practical Application

While the imprecatory nature of this verse can be challenging, it offers several important reflections for believers today:

  • Understanding Divine Justice: This verse underscores the biblical truth that God is a righteous judge who will ultimately bring justice upon those who persistently reject Him and persecute His people. It provides comfort that evil will not prevail forever.
  • The Seriousness of Spiritual Standing: The concept of being "written in the book of the living" emphasizes the profound importance of one's relationship with God. It calls believers to ensure their names are indeed written among the righteous through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His commands.
  • A Call to Repentance: For those who are not aligned with God, this verse serves as a sober warning about the consequences of persistent rebellion and the ultimate separation from God's presence and His people. It implicitly encourages repentance and seeking reconciliation with God before it is too late.

Ultimately, Psalms 69:28 reminds us of the eternal destinies—one of being eternally with God and His people, and the other of being eternally separated from Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Philippians 4:3

    And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and [with] other my fellowlabourers, whose names [are] in the book of life.

  • Exodus 32:32

    Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

  • Exodus 32:33

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

  • Luke 10:20

    Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

  • Ezekiel 13:9

    And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

  • Hebrews 12:23

    To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

  • Revelation 13:8

    And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back