Psalms 69:29

KJV

But I [am] poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

KJV (with Strong's)

But I am poor {H6041} and sorrowful {H3510}{H8802)}: let thy salvation {H3444}, O God {H430}, set me up on high {H7682}{H8762)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Meanwhile, I am afflicted and hurting; God, let your saving power raise me up.

Berean Standard Bible

But I am in pain and distress; let Your salvation protect me, O God.

American Standard Version

But I am poor and sorrowful: Let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 69:29 encapsulates the psalmist's profound state of destitution and grief, articulating a desperate and humble plea for divine intervention. It is a fervent prayer for God's comprehensive salvation to lift him from his low and vulnerable condition, securing him in a place of safety, vindication, and exaltation, thereby demonstrating an unwavering trust in God's power to deliver and restore.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 69 is a deeply personal and intense lament, often categorized as an imprecatory psalm due to its strong petitions against enemies. Verse 29 emerges from a narrative of overwhelming suffering, rejection, and unmerited hatred from adversaries. The psalmist has described being overwhelmed by troubles, feeling alienated even from family, and enduring reproach for his devotion to God. This verse, positioned towards the latter part of the psalm (before the final vows of praise), represents a direct, personal plea for rescue, transitioning from detailed complaints and imprecations to an earnest, humble request for God's saving action. It underscores the psalmist's persistent hope and reliance on God despite the depths of his despair, serving as a pivot point from complaint to a hopeful petition for divine vindication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to David and reflecting experiences of unjust persecution, the specific historical circumstances are not explicitly detailed, allowing for broader application. In ancient Israel, "poor and sorrowful" (Hebrew: _ʿānî wĕkōʾēḇ_) often described not just economic destitution but a state of social oppression, vulnerability, and deep emotional or physical suffering due to injustice or affliction. To be "set up on high" (Hebrew: _śāḡaḇ_) implied divine vindication, protection from enemies, and restoration to a position of honor and security, a common aspiration for the righteous sufferer in a society where public shame and honor were paramount. The psalmist's cry reflects the cultural expectation that God, as the ultimate righteous judge, would intervene on behalf of the humble and oppressed, elevating them above their adversaries and circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalms 69 and the Psalter. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Suffering and Lament**, portraying the psalmist's profound distress and vulnerability, a recurring motif for the righteous in the face of adversity. Secondly, it underscores **Dependence on God**, as the psalmist, stripped of all human recourse, places his entire hope in divine salvation, echoing the broader biblical truth that God draws near to the brokenhearted as seen in [Psalm 34:18](/psalms/34-18 "Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is Near the Brokenhearted"). Thirdly, the plea to be "set me up on high" speaks to the theme of **Divine Vindication and Exaltation**, expressing a deep trust that God will ultimately lift up the humble and oppressed, a principle affirmed in passages like [James 4:10](/james/4-10 "James 4:10 - Humbling Oneself Before the Lord") and [1 Peter 5:6](/1_peter/5-6 "1 Peter 5:6 - Humility and Exaltation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Poor (Hebrew, _ʻânî'_):** From H6041, this term signifies more than mere economic poverty. It refers to one who is depressed, afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, or in a state of distress. It conveys a sense of vulnerability and dependence, often resulting from external pressures or injustice. The psalmist identifies with this state of profound helplessness and oppression.
* **Sorrowful (Hebrew, _kâʼab'_):** From H3510, this word emphasizes the deep emotional and physical anguish experienced by the psalmist. Derived from a root meaning "to feel pain" or "to grieve," it paints a picture of intense suffering, complementing the state of affliction conveyed by _ʻânî'_.
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yᵉshûwʻâh'_):** From H3444, this is a rich theological term meaning deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity, health, or help. It encompasses a comprehensive act of God's saving power, implying a complete rescue from all forms of trouble, danger, and oppression, leading to a state of well-being and security.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** From H430, this plural noun, used here with the article, specifically refers to the supreme God. It highlights the psalmist's appeal to the ultimate divine authority and power, emphasizing that only the sovereign God can provide the desired deliverance.
* **Set me up on high (Hebrew, _sâgab'_):** From H7682, this verb means "to be lofty," "to be inaccessible," "to be safe," or "to be strong." It denotes being placed beyond the reach of harm, elevated to a position of security, honor, and protection by God. It implies divine lifting and vindication over one's adversaries and circumstances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I [am] poor and sorrowful":** This clause starkly contrasts the psalmist's current state with either his enemies' perceived prosperity or his own former state of peace. It is a raw, honest declaration of profound personal affliction, vulnerability, and deep emotional pain. The psalmist acknowledges his utter destitution and suffering, laying bare his desperate condition before God, highlighting his absolute need for divine intervention.
* **"let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high":** This is the heart of the petition, a direct and urgent cry for divine intervention. "Thy salvation" emphasizes that the rescue must come from God alone, highlighting His unique power to deliver comprehensively. The phrase "O God" is a direct address, intensifying the plea. "Set me up on high" expresses a desire for God to elevate him above his troubles, beyond the reach of his enemies, into a position of security, honor, and vindication. It is a plea for comprehensive deliverance and restoration, a transformation from the lowest depths to a place of divine protection and exaltation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. **Contrast** is immediately evident in the opening "But I," which sharply juxtaposes the psalmist's current lowly, suffering state against an implied background of his enemies' actions or the world's indifference. The phrase "set me up on high" functions as a potent **Metaphor** and **Imagery**, using spatial elevation to represent spiritual, social, and physical security, honor, and triumph over adversity. This imagery vividly portrays God's power to lift the oppressed. The direct address, "O God," is an example of **Apostrophe**, lending urgency, intimacy, and profound reverence to the prayer, emphasizing the psalmist's personal and direct appeal to the divine. The entire verse, within the larger psalm, is a clear example of **Lament** and **Petition**, a common genre in the Psalter where the sufferer pours out their distress and makes specific requests for divine aid, demonstrating a profound reliance on God's character and power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 69:29 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that God attends to the humble and afflicted. The psalmist's declaration of being "poor and sorrowful" is not a sign of weakness to be overcome by self-reliance, but rather a posture of utter dependence that invites God's powerful intervention. This verse underscores the paradox of the kingdom: true strength is found in acknowledging one's weakness and relying on God's strength. It affirms God's character as the one who lifts up the lowly, vindicates the oppressed, and provides comprehensive salvation, transforming despair into exaltation. This divine pattern assures believers that even in their deepest valleys of suffering, God's redemptive power is active and available, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who humble themselves before Him.

* [Psalm 34:18](/psalms/34-18 "Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is Near the Brokenhearted")
* [Isaiah 57:15](/isaiah/57-15 "Isaiah 57:15 - God Dwells with the Contrite")
* [1 Peter 5:6](/1_peter/5-6 "1 Peter 5:6 - Humility and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 69:29 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating their own seasons of distress and vulnerability. It teaches us the vital spiritual discipline of honest lament—bringing our true, unvarnished state of "poor and sorrowful" before God, rather than pretending strength or self-sufficiency. In a world that often values power and independence, this verse reminds us that our greatest hope lies not in our own efforts to "set ourselves up on high," but in humbly trusting God's sovereign power to deliver and exalt us. When we feel overwhelmed by life's burdens, rejected, or in deep emotional pain, this verse invites us to cling to the assurance that God sees our suffering, hears our cry, and is uniquely capable of providing the comprehensive "salvation" that lifts us above our circumstances, securing us in His divine care and ultimately vindicating us. It is a call to radical dependence and unwavering hope in the God who exalts the humble, transforming our deepest sorrows into opportunities for His glorious intervention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging our "poor and sorrowful" state open us up to God's intervention and grace?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you currently need God's "salvation" to "set you up on high"?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true humility and dependence on God in the midst of suffering?**

### FAQ
**Is Psalm 69 considered a Messianic Psalm, and how does verse 29 fit into that understanding?**

Answer: Yes, Psalm 69 is widely considered one of the most significant Messianic psalms in the Old Testament, frequently quoted or alluded to in the New Testament concerning the life and suffering of Jesus Christ. While verse 29 ("But I [am] poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high") is not directly quoted in the New Testament, its themes resonate deeply with Christ's experience. The psalmist's profound suffering, rejection, and sense of being "poor and sorrowful" align with Jesus's own humility, self-emptying, and the immense sorrow He experienced, particularly during His passion (e.g., [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows") and [Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")). The plea for God's "salvation" to "set me up on high" finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's resurrection and ascension, where God supremely exalted Him after His profound humiliation and suffering on the cross (e.g., [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Thus, verse 29, though not a direct prophecy, embodies the spirit of Christ's suffering and subsequent divine vindication.

**What is the deeper meaning of "poor and sorrowful" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "poor and sorrowful" (Hebrew: _ʿānî wĕkōʾēḇ_) goes beyond a mere description of economic status. _ʿānî_ refers to one who is afflicted, humble, oppressed, or lowly, often due to external circumstances, injustice, or persecution. It speaks to a state of vulnerability and dependence. _kōʾēḇ_ signifies deep pain, grief, or suffering, encompassing both emotional and possibly physical anguish. Together, these terms paint a comprehensive picture of the psalmist's profound distress and helplessness. He is not just lacking material wealth, but is experiencing a spiritual and emotional destitution, feeling utterly abandoned and overwhelmed by his adversaries and circumstances. This deep state of affliction drives him to complete reliance on God for rescue and vindication, highlighting that true "poverty" can be a spiritual posture that opens one up to divine grace and intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 69:29 finds its most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The psalmist's cry, "But I am poor and sorrowful," echoes the very heart of Christ's incarnation. Though He was rich, He became poor for our sake, that through His poverty we might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Jesus, the "Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")), perfectly embodied the "poor and sorrowful" state, enduring rejection, humiliation, and unimaginable suffering, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). His desperate cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), resonates with the psalmist's lament. Yet, it was precisely through this ultimate humiliation and suffering that God's "salvation" supremely "set Him up on high." The resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ are God's ultimate act of vindication and exaltation, raising Him to the highest place, where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Thus, the psalmist's plea for personal deliverance becomes a prophetic foreshadowing of the Lamb of God, who, through His suffering, secured salvation and was gloriously exalted, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe in Him ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 91:14

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

Psalms 91:16

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalms 40:17

But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 109:22

For I [am] poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

Psalms 20:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

Isaiah 53:2

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.