Psalms 69
World English Bible
WEB1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Lilies.” By David. Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck! 2I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. 3I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail looking for my God. 4Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn’t take away. 5God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren’t hidden from you. 6Don’t let those who wait for you be shamed through me, Lord Yahweh of Armies. Don’t let those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, God of Israel. 7Because for your sake, I have borne reproach. Shame has covered my face. 8I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s children. 9For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. 10When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach. 11When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. 12Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards. 13But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation. 14Deliver me out of the mire, and don’t let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don’t let the pit shut its mouth on me. 16Answer me, Yahweh, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me. 17Don’t hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me speedily! 18Draw near to my soul and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies. 19You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor. My adversaries are all before you. 20Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; for comforters, but I found none. 21They also gave me poison for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. 22Let their table before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap. 23Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can’t see. Let their backs be continually bent. 24Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them. 25Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents. 26For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt. 27Charge them with crime upon crime. Don’t let them come into your righteousness. 28Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous. 29But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me. 30I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31It will please Yahweh better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs. 32The humble have seen it, and are glad. You who seek after God, let your heart live. 33For Yahweh hears the needy, and doesn’t despise his captive people. 34Let heaven and earth praise him; the seas, and everything that moves therein! 35For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it. 36The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who love his name shall dwell therein.
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
Psalms 69 is a poignant expression of distress and a plea for deliverance, attributed to King David. The psalm opens with a vivid depiction of overwhelming troubles, as David cries out to God, feeling as if he is sinking in deep waters, symbolizing his despair and the weight of his enemies. He pleads for God's mercy, acknowledging his own sins and the shame he feels, which resonates with the theme of repentance and the need for divine intervention. The imagery of being surrounded by those who hate him without cause reflects the intense persecution he faces, paralleling the experiences of many believers who endure suffering for their faith. (#David Psalms69)
Throughout the psalm, David expresses his longing for salvation and restoration, invoking God's steadfast love and faithfulness. He recalls the zeal he has for God's house, which has led to his reproach among his adversaries. The psalm transitions into a prophetic tone, as David's suffering foreshadows the future suffering of Christ, particularly in verses that speak of being given gall for food and vinegar to drink, which are later referenced in the New Testament during the crucifixion of Jesus. This connection emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the depth of Christ's suffering for humanity's sake. Ultimately, the psalm concludes with a note of hope, as David anticipates God's deliverance and the eventual praise that will arise from his people, affirming the assurance that God hears the cries of the afflicted and will act in His perfect timing. (#prophecy #Jesus #deliverance)
Referenced by
- Job 19:21v20Job 19:21 shows Job pleading for pity from his friends, similar to the psalmist in Psalm 69:20 who laments the lack of compassion from others.
- Job 30:9v12Job 30:9 describes how Job has become a byword and object of scorn, similar to Psalm 69:12 where the psalmist is the subject of gossip and mockery. Both passages reflect the theme of righteous suffering and public humiliation.
- Psalms 40:2v14Both passages describe being lifted from a pit or miry clay, symbolizing deliverance from distress and God's saving power.
- John 19:28v21John 19:28 mentions Jesus saying 'I thirst,' which fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 69:21 about the suffering of the righteous one.
- Acts 1:20v25Acts 1:20 cites Psalm 69:25 in reference to Judas' betrayal and the need to replace him, showing the fulfillment of Scripture in the events surrounding Judas.
- Romans 15:3v9Romans 15:3 quotes Psalm 69:9 to illustrate how Christ did not please Himself but bore the reproaches of others, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy and demonstrating His selflessness.
Topics in this chapter
- Deliverance
- Zeal
- Suffering
- Prophecy
- Devotion
- Hope
- Persecution
- Salvation
- Worship
- Justice
- Prayer
- Righteousness
- Compassion
- Crucifixion
- David
- Distress
- God's House
- Lament
- Mercy
- Praise
- Psalms
- Reproach
- Trusting God
- Afflicted
- Ani
- Apostolic Succession
- Art and Faith
- Betrayal
- Care
- Chesed
- City Gates
- Comfort
- Commitment
- Covenant Love
- Deep Waters
- Divine Deliverance
- Divine Judgment
- Faith
- Faithfulness
- Forgiveness
- Fulfillment
- God of the Oppressed
- Grace
- Help
- Hope in Suffering
- Hymn
- Imprecation
- Innocence
- Jesus
- Judgment
- King
- King of Israel
- Lovingkindness
- Messiah
- Messianic
- Messianic Mission
- Messianic Prophecy
- Misunderstanding
- Passion for God
- Psalmist
- Qinah (Lamentation)
- Reassurance in Scripture
- Redemption
- Refuge
- Righteous Anger
- Supplication
- Thanksgiving
- The Passion of Christ
- Trust
- Vindication
- Vinegar
- Waters
- Yasha
- Zeal for God
Related chapters
- John 2Zeal for GodMisunderstandingZeal
- Matthew 27CrucifixionBetrayalLament
- Psalms 22The Passion of ChristCrucifixionVindication
- Psalms 109Apostolic SuccessionDistressVindication
- Psalms 40HelpPsalmistPsalms
- Psalms 18WatersDistressPsalmist
- Isaiah 53CrucifixionVindicationMessianic Prophecy
- Psalms 31VindicationArt and FaithDivine Deliverance
- Psalms 116YashaDistressPsalmist
- Psalms 124WatersHelpDivine Deliverance
- Psalms 121Reassurance in ScriptureHelpCare
- John 15PersecutionCovenant Love
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