Psalms 69:5

KJV

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

O God {H430}, thou knowest {H3045}{H8804)} my foolishness {H200}; and my sins {H819} are not hid {H3582}{H8738)} from thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

God, you know how foolish I am; my guilt is not hidden from you.

Berean Standard Bible

You know my folly, O God, and my guilt is not hidden from You.

American Standard Version

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; And my sins are not hid from thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 69:5 presents a profound and humble confession from the psalmist, acknowledging his personal "foolishness" and "sins" before an omniscient God. This verse is a pivotal moment within a psalm of intense suffering and persecution, demonstrating that despite external afflictions and the injustice of his adversaries, the psalmist maintains a radical transparency and trust in God's perfect knowledge. It underscores a deep spiritual integrity, laying a foundation for an honest plea for divine intervention, rooted in a recognition of personal accountability and God's all-seeing eye.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 69 is one of the most significant and extensive laments in the Psalter, characterized by its raw emotion and vivid descriptions of suffering. The preceding verses establish the psalmist's dire situation, depicting him as overwhelmed by enemies, metaphorically "sunk in deep mire" and "overwhelmed with deep waters" ([Psalms 69:2](/psalms/69-2 "Psalm 69:2 - Sinking in Deep Mire")). He is hated without cause, his accusers are numerous, and he is exhausted from crying out to God ([Psalms 69:3-4](/psalms/69-3-4 "Psalm 69:3-4 - Weary from Crying, Hated Without Cause")). Amidst this torrent of external affliction, verse 5 marks a crucial internal pivot. It is a moment of profound self-reflection and confession, where the psalmist acknowledges his own human fallibility before God. This admission of "foolishness" and "sins" is not an admission that his suffering is *solely* a direct punishment for his transgressions, but rather a demonstration of humility and a recognition of God's absolute knowledge and sovereignty. This confession, far from undermining his plea for justice, strengthens it by demonstrating a posture of truthfulness and integrity before the divine, a necessary foundation for any righteous appeal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Traditionally attributed to King David, Psalm 69 resonates with periods of intense personal suffering and unjust persecution, such as David's flight from Saul or the rebellion of Absalom. The imagery of being "sunk in deep mire" or "overwhelmed with deep waters" ([Psalms 69:2](/psalms/69-2 "Psalm 69:2 - Sinking in Deep Mire")) is a common ancient Near Eastern metaphor for chaos, distress, and the brink of death, signifying overwhelming trouble. Within Israelite theology, the concept of God's **omniscience** was foundational; Yahweh was not a distant, unaware deity but intimately involved and fully cognizant of every human action, thought, and hidden motive. Confession of sin was a vital and necessary component of approaching God, particularly in lament and seeking deliverance. It was not merely a ritualistic act but a genuine expression of humility and alignment with divine truth, demonstrating a right relationship with a holy God. The term "foolishness" (`'ivveleth`) often carried a moral or spiritual connotation, referring to actions or attitudes that defied God's wisdom and covenant, rather than mere intellectual deficiency.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. **Confession and Humility** are paramount; the psalmist's direct and unreserved acknowledgment of personal wrongdoing, even amidst his suffering, highlights a profound humility that refuses self-justification. This posture is a prerequisite for receiving God's grace and mercy, as echoed in [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart"). Central to the verse is **God's Omniscience**, the recognition that God knows everything. The declaration "thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee" underscores God's perfect and inescapable awareness of every thought, word, and deed, a truth beautifully articulated in [Psalm 139](/psalms/139 "Psalm 139 - God's Omniscience and Omnipresence"). Furthermore, the verse subtly touches upon **Justice and Deliverance**, as the psalmist's confession, rather than negating his righteousness in the face of his enemies, establishes a foundation of integrity before God, from which he can then righteously plead for divine intervention against his persecutors. Finally, the psalm's broader theme of **Zeal for God's House** (e.g., [Psalms 69:9](/psalms/69-9 "Psalm 69:9 - Zeal for Your House")) is contextualized by this confession, showing that even righteous devotion does not exempt one from personal fallibility.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Foolishness (Hebrew, _ʼivveleth'_):** (H200) This term refers not to a lack of intellectual capacity, but to moral or spiritual folly. It signifies actions, attitudes, or choices that are contrary to divine wisdom, righteousness, and covenantal obligations. It often implies a willful deviation from God's path or a senseless disregard for His commands, leading to ungodly or self-destructive behavior. It represents a deep-seated perversion of judgment that results in sin, an act of silliness or foolishness in the sight of God.
* **Sins (Hebrew, _ʼashmâh'_):** (H819) This term denotes guiltiness, a fault, or trespass. It speaks to a specific offense or transgression against God's law or standard, incurring culpability. While related to the more common "missing the mark" (חַטָּאת, _chatta'th_), _ʼashmâh_ often carries the nuance of incurring guilt or deserving punishment, sometimes even referencing the presentation of a sin-offering to atone for such a fault. It encompasses both intentional and unintentional failings that fall short of God's holiness.
* **Hid (Hebrew, _kâchad'_):** (H3582) This primitive root means "to secrete, by act or word," or "to conceal." In the context of the verse, "are not hid" emphasizes God's absolute omniscience and the utter futility of attempting to conceal anything from Him. His knowledge is complete, penetrating, and inescapable, leaving no secret thought, word, or deed unseen. The psalmist acknowledges that God's gaze pierces through all pretense and secrecy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O God, thou knowest my foolishness":** This opening address is direct, personal, and reverent, immediately acknowledging God's supreme authority and intimate knowledge. The psalmist immediately admits to "foolishness," understanding it not as intellectual deficiency but as moral and spiritual folly—actions or attitudes that are contrary to divine wisdom and righteousness. This is a profound confession that recognizes God's awareness of even the subtle deviations from His path, whether intentional or unintentional, highlighting the psalmist's vulnerability and complete transparency before the divine.
* **"and my sins are not hid from thee":** This second clause reinforces and expands upon the first, using a strong negative assertion to emphasize God's absolute omniscience. The psalmist's "sins"—his failures to hit God's mark, his transgressions, his moral failings that incur guilt—are utterly transparent to God. There is no possibility of concealment, no secret thought or deed that escapes His notice. This declaration underscores the psalmist's complete vulnerability and transparency before the divine, demonstrating the futility of attempting to hide anything from the all-seeing Creator and affirming God's perfect understanding and inescapable awareness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Parallelism** is prominently featured through the two clauses, "O God, thou knowest my foolishness" and "and my sins are not hid from thee." This synonymous parallelism reinforces the central idea of God's omniscience and the psalmist's transparent confession, with the second clause amplifying the first. The phrase "my sins are not hid from thee" functions as a powerful **negative assertion**, which often carries more force and emphasis than a simple positive statement (e.g., "my sins are known to thee"), underscoring the absolute and inescapable nature of God's knowledge. There is also a subtle use of **Synecdoche**, where "foolishness" and "sins" represent the totality of the psalmist's moral failings, imperfections, and deviations from God's standard. The direct address "O God" is an example of **Apostrophe**, lending a personal, intimate, and reverent tone to the confession. The psalmist's humble posture before an omniscient God creates a powerful sense of **Pathos**, evoking empathy for his vulnerable yet honest state, while simultaneously establishing the divine authority and knowledge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 69:5 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God and humanity. It affirms God's absolute **omniscience**, His perfect and complete knowledge of all things, including the deepest recesses of the human heart and every hidden transgression. This truth is not presented as a terrifying judgment but as a foundational reality for genuine relationship with God. For the psalmist, acknowledging God's all-knowing gaze is the first step towards authentic lament and a plea for divine intervention. It demonstrates a humility that recognizes human fallibility even amidst righteous suffering, preventing self-righteousness and opening the door for grace. This confession aligns with the broader biblical understanding that true repentance begins with an honest admission of sin before God, trusting in His character to respond with mercy rather than immediate condemnation. It highlights that transparency with God is not an option but a necessity for spiritual integrity and restoration, emphasizing that God's knowledge precedes and enables His redemptive action.

* [Psalm 139:2-4](/psalms/139-2-4 "God Knows My Thoughts and Ways")
* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "The Eyes of the Lord Are Everywhere")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 69:5 calls believers to a radical posture of honesty and transparency before God. In a world that often encourages hiding weaknesses, projecting perfection, and maintaining façades, this verse reminds us that true spiritual health begins with acknowledging our "foolishness" and "sins" to the One who already knows them intimately. There is no benefit, and indeed great spiritual detriment, in attempting to conceal our failures from God, for such attempts only foster pretense and hinder genuine growth. Instead, the psalmist's example invites us to embrace the liberating truth that God's omniscience, while convicting, is also the basis for His perfect understanding, compassion, and provision of grace. When we confess, we are not informing God of something new, but aligning our hearts with His truth, opening ourselves to His transformative power, and fostering a deeper, more authentic relationship built on trust rather than pretense. This humble admission is the pathway to genuine repentance, forgiveness, and the restoration of fellowship with our Creator, allowing us to walk in the light as He is in the light.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to hide your "foolishness" or "sins" from God, or even from yourself, perhaps out of shame or fear?**
* **How does the truth of God's omniscience — that He already knows everything about you, including your deepest struggles and hidden faults — impact your willingness to confess and be transparent with Him?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more honest and humble posture before God in your daily life, embracing His all-knowing gaze as a source of comfort and grace?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply the psalmist's suffering is *because* of his sin?**

Answer: Not necessarily directly or exclusively. While the psalmist confesses his "foolishness" and "sins" in [Psalms 69:5](/psalms/69-5 "Psalm 69:5 - Confession of Foolishness"), the broader context of Psalm 69 strongly indicates that much of his suffering stems from the unjust persecution by his enemies and his zeal for God's house (e.g., [Psalms 69:4](/psalms/69-4 "Psalm 69:4 - Hated Without Cause"), [Psalms 69:9](/psalms/69-9 "Psalm 69:9 - Zeal for Your House")). The confession here is not an admission that his current distress is *solely* a direct punishment for his specific transgressions. Instead, it demonstrates profound humility and a realistic self-assessment before an all-knowing God. It prevents self-righteousness and acknowledges that even the most righteous individuals are not without fault, reinforcing the universal human need for God's grace and mercy, even when seeking justice against adversaries.

**How can God's omniscience be comforting, not just convicting?**

Answer: While God's perfect knowledge of our "foolishness" and "sins" can indeed be convicting, it is also profoundly comforting. The psalmist's confession in [Psalms 69:5](/psalms/69-5 "Psalm 69:5 - God Knows My Foolishness") implies trust that God's knowledge is accompanied by understanding and compassion. God knows our struggles, our weaknesses, our intentions, and our sincere desire to turn to Him. He sees beyond the outward action to the heart. This comprehensive knowledge means we don't have to pretend or hide; we can come to Him exactly as we are, assured that He fully comprehends our situation and is faithful to forgive and restore when we confess, as promised in [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness"). His omniscience ensures His perfect ability to guide, protect, and provide for us, as He knows every detail of our lives and the path ahead (see [Psalm 139](/psalms/139 "Psalm 139 - God's Omniscience and Omnipresence")).

**What is the difference between "foolishness" and "sins" in this verse?**

Answer: In [Psalms 69:5](/psalms/69-5 "Psalm 69:5 - Foolishness and Sins"), "foolishness" (Hebrew: _ʼivveleth'_) often refers to moral folly or senselessness, actions that are contrary to divine wisdom and righteousness. It implies a lack of spiritual discernment or a willful disregard for God's ways, leading to wrong conduct. It's not merely intellectual stupidity but a spiritual or ethical failing that results from a perverse judgment. "Sins" (Hebrew: _ʼashmâh'_) is a term denoting guiltiness or a specific fault, fundamentally meaning to incur culpability or trespass against God's perfect standard. It encompasses any transgression, whether by omission or commission, that deviates from God's law or character, often implying the need for atonement. While "foolishness" might point to the underlying disposition or unwise choice, "sins" refers to the specific acts or failures that result from such folly, carrying the weight of guilt. Together, they form a comprehensive confession of the psalmist's human imperfection and moral failings before a holy God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 69:5 is a deeply personal confession of the psalmist's "foolishness" and "sins," it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in Christ's *personal* sin (for He was without sin, as declared in [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")), but in His identification with humanity's sin and His role as the ultimate sin-bearer. Psalm 69 is widely recognized as a messianic psalm, with many of its verses directly quoted or alluded to in the New Testament concerning Jesus' suffering. For instance, the zeal for God's house (v. 9) is applied to Jesus in [John 2:17](/john/2-17 "John 2:17 - Jesus' Zeal for the Temple"), and His being given gall and vinegar (v. 21) is fulfilled at the crucifixion ([Matthew 27:34](/matthew/27-34 "Matthew 27:34 - Jesus Given Gall and Vinegar")). In a unique and paradoxical way, Jesus, though knowing no sin, became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), bearing the "foolishness" and "sins" of humanity on the cross. He perfectly fulfilled the need for a transparent confession and atonement that the psalmist's words anticipate. Through His sacrifice, our "foolishness" and "sins" — which are indeed not hid from God — can be fully atoned for and forgiven, offering us the righteousness that the psalmist could only confessedly long for. This ultimate act of identification and substitution allows believers to approach God with their own confessions, knowing that their sins are covered by the perfect Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), who perfectly knew and bore the full weight of humanity's sin before the Father, thereby making a way for us to be fully known and fully forgiven.

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 38:9

Lord, all my desire [is] before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

Jeremiah 16:17

For mine eyes [are] upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

Psalms 38:5

My wounds stink [and] are corrupt because of my foolishness.

Psalms 44:20

If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

Psalms 44:21

Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Psalms 19:12

Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].

Psalms 17:3

Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my mouth shall not transgress.