Psalms 69

¹ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, [A Psalm] of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto [my] soul.

² I sink in deep mire, where [there is] no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

³ I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

⁴ They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, [being] mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored [that] which I took not away.

⁵ O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

⁶ Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

⁷ Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

⁸ I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.

⁹ For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

¹⁰ When I wept, [and chastened] my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

¹¹ I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

¹² They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I [was] the song of the drunkards.

¹³ But as for me, my prayer [is] unto thee, O LORD, [in] an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

¹⁴ Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

¹⁵ Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

¹⁶ Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness [is] good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

¹⁷ And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

¹⁸ Draw nigh unto my soul, [and] redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

¹⁹ Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries [are] all before thee.

²⁰ Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked [for some] to take pity, but [there was] none; and for comforters, but I found none.

²¹ They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

²² Let their table become a snare before them: and [that which should have been] for [their] welfare, [let it become] a trap.

²³ Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

²⁴ Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

²⁵ Let their habitation be desolate; [and] let none dwell in their tents.

²⁶ For they persecute [him] whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

²⁷ Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

²⁸ Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

²⁹ But I [am] poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

³⁰ I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

³¹ [This] also shall please the LORD better than an ox [or] bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

³² The humble shall see [this, and] be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

³³ For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

³⁴ Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

³⁵ For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

³⁶ The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

Overview of Psalm 69

Psalm 69 is a poignant expression of distress and longing for salvation. It is attributed to David and is characterized by its themes of suffering, repentance, and hope. The psalmist invokes God’s mercy while lamenting his dire circumstances, illustrating a deep sense of personal anguish and a desire for divine intervention.

Structure of Psalm 69

The chapter can be divided into several distinct sections, each reflecting different emotional states and themes:

• Verses 1-3: A cry for help amidst overwhelming troubles.
• Verses 4-12: Expressions of suffering and the reasons behind it.
• Verses 13-18: A plea for God’s mercy and deliverance.
• Verses 19-21: A recounting of mockery and betrayal.
• Verses 22-28: A call for judgment against enemies.
• Verses 29-36: A declaration of hope and a vision for restoration.

Detailed Analysis

Verses 1-3: Cry for Help

The psalmist begins with an urgent plea, using vivid imagery to depict his overwhelming situation. The metaphor of sinking in deep waters conveys a sense of drowning in troubles.

1. The repetition of the cry for help emphasizes desperation.
2. The use of water imagery symbolizes chaos and danger.
3. The psalmist’s physical and emotional state is intertwined, suggesting a holistic experience of suffering.

Verses 4-12: Suffering and Justification

In this section, the psalmist reflects on the reasons for his suffering, acknowledging that he has been wronged and persecuted. The mention of enemies and false accusations highlights the social and spiritual dimensions of his plight.

1. The psalmist laments the number of his adversaries, indicating a sense of isolation.
2. He expresses a feeling of guilt, yet he also asserts his innocence regarding the accusations against him.
3. The imagery of mourning and fasting illustrates the depth of his sorrow and dedication to seeking God.

Verses 13-18: Plea for Mercy

Here, the psalmist shifts to a direct appeal to God, invoking His mercy. This section underscores the importance of divine intervention in times of distress.

1. The psalmist seeks God’s attention, indicating a belief in the power of prayer.
2. He acknowledges God’s faithfulness and past acts of deliverance, reinforcing his hope.
3. The urgency of the plea reflects a deep yearning for salvation and restoration.

Verses 19-21: Mockery and Betrayal

This passage highlights the emotional pain inflicted by others. The psalmist recounts experiences of mockery and betrayal, which compound his suffering.

1. The mention of being insulted and shamed illustrates the social rejection faced by the psalmist.
2. The reference to vinegar and gall symbolizes bitterness and anguish.
3. This section captures the duality of physical and emotional suffering.

Verses 22-28: Call for Judgment

In a shift towards a more vindictive tone, the psalmist calls for judgment against his enemies. This reflects a desire for justice and retribution.

1. The psalmist invokes God’s wrath against those who oppose him, indicating a belief in divine justice.
2. The imagery of desolation and punishment serves as a stark contrast to the earlier pleas for mercy.
3. This section reveals the tension between seeking mercy for oneself and desiring justice against others.

Verses 29-36: Hope and Restoration

The final verses of the psalm pivot towards hope and a vision for restoration. The psalmist expresses confidence in God’s eventual deliverance.

1. The declaration of being poor and in need emphasizes humility and dependence on God.
2. The vision of future praise and worship indicates a return to communal faith and celebration.
3. The psalm concludes with a reaffirmation of God’s sovereignty and the promise of deliverance for His people.

Thematic Elements

• Desperation and Lament: The psalm vividly captures the emotional turmoil of the psalmist.
• Divine Mercy: A recurring theme is the hope for God’s compassionate intervention.
• Justice and Retribution: The call for judgment against enemies reflects a desire for justice.
• Hope and Restoration: The conclusion of the psalm emphasizes faith in God’s ability to restore and save.

Conclusion

Psalm 69 serves as a profound exploration of human suffering, the quest for justice, and the unwavering hope in divine mercy. It encapsulates the complexity of faith amidst adversity, offering both a personal lament and a communal call for redemption.