Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
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.
O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
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.
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
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.
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.
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
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.
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.
The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
Psalms 69 is a powerful and deeply moving psalm that resonates with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by suffering, injustice, and the sting of betrayal. This psalm, attributed to David, is a poignant cry for deliverance, interwoven with expressions of faith and a confident anticipation of God's salvation. It also stands as one of the most frequently quoted psalms in the New Testament, revealing its profound messianic significance.
Context and Background
While David doesn't explicitly state the specific event that inspired this psalm, it's clear he was experiencing intense distress and persecution. The psalm is classified as an "imprecatory" psalm, meaning it includes prayers for God to bring justice and punishment upon the psalmist's enemies. It’s important to understand that these are not expressions of personal vengeance, but rather a plea for God to uphold righteousness and defend His faithful servant. Similar sentiments can be found in Psalms 5, 10, 35, 58, 59, 70, 79, 83, 109, 129, 137, and 140.
The psalm's title mentions the Hebrew word shoshannim, or "lilies," suggesting it may have been set to a particular tune, possibly the same one used for Psalms 45.
A Deep Dive into the Verses
Overwhelmed by Suffering (Psalms 69:1-4)
David begins by lamenting his dire circumstances, feeling as though he is drowning in a sea of troubles. He cries out to God for salvation, emphasizing the urgency of his situation. "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." (Psalms 69:1-2). He feels overwhelmed, like a man sinking in a miry bog, unable to free himself and with the water about to engulf him.
He acknowledges his weariness from calling out to God, yet he continues to look to Him for help. His enemies are numerous and attack him without just cause. "More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore?" (Psalms 69:4).
Suffering for Righteousness (Psalms 69:5-12)
David admits his own sinfulness, recognizing that nothing is hidden from God. "O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you." (Psalms 69:5). However, he emphasizes that his current suffering is not a direct consequence of personal sin. Instead, he endures insults and reproach because of his devotion to God. "For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's sons." (Psalms 69:7-8). This resonates with 1 Peter 3:17, which states, "For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil."
His zeal for God's house consumes him, and the insults hurled at God wound him deeply. This verse is famously quoted in John 2:17, referring to Jesus' cleansing of the temple. He is even mocked and ridiculed by his own family members, judges at the city gate, and drunkards. He is assailed from every direction, causing him to mourn, fast, and wear sackcloth.
A Plea for God's Favor (Psalms 69:13-18)
In the midst of his suffering, David pleads for God's favor and mercy. "But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness." (Psalms 69:13). He asks God to rescue him from the mire and the deep waters, echoing his initial cry for help. Again, David pictures himself sinking in mud with floodwaters swallowing him. These helpless feelings are common to the human experience, regardless of the specific circumstances. When you are suffering and don’t know what to pray, let David’s prayer here be your own.
Brokenhearted and Desolate (Psalms 69:19-21)
David emphasizes that God is fully aware of the insults and reproach he has endured. He longs for compassion and comfort, but finds none. "Reproach has broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine." (Psalms 69:20-21). This poignant description foreshadows the suffering of Jesus, who was offered vinegar while on the cross (Matthew 27:34; Luke 23:36; John 19:28-30).
Imprecatory Prayers for Justice (Psalms 69:22-28)
Here, David's tone shifts as he calls upon God to bring judgment upon his enemies. He prays that their wickedness would turn against them, leaving vengeance to God. Because they have sinned against God, David asks that his burning anger would overtake them. He prays that they would be punished both in history and in eternity. These verses are a powerful reminder that God is a just God who will ultimately hold all accountable for their actions.
Hope and Deliverance (Psalms 69:29-33)
Despite his pain and suffering, David expresses confidence in God's delivering hand. "But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." (Psalms 69:29-30). He anticipates God's intervention and vows to offer praise and thanksgiving, which he knows is more pleasing to God than sacrifices alone. He expresses confidence that God hears his own, especially those who are needy and imprisoned.
A Call to Universal Praise (Psalms 69:34-36)
David concludes the psalm with a call for all of creation to praise God in light of his forthcoming deliverance of his people. "Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it." (Psalms 69:34-35). He anticipates a time of security and prosperity for God's people in the land, desiring not only short-term rescue but also long-term divine covering.
Messianic Significance
Psalms 69 holds significant messianic importance, with several verses quoted in the New Testament to describe the suffering and ministry of Jesus. John 2:17 quotes Psalms 69:9, "Zeal for your house has consumed me," in reference to Jesus' cleansing of the temple. The offering of vinegar to Jesus on the cross fulfills the prophecy in Psalms 69:21. These connections highlight the psalm's prophetic nature and its relevance to understanding the life and sacrifice of Christ.
Lessons for Today
Psalms 69 offers several valuable lessons for believers today:
- It is okay to express our pain and frustration to God. David's honesty in expressing his suffering is a reminder that God welcomes our raw emotions and anxieties.
- Suffering for righteousness is a reality. Like David, we may face opposition and persecution for our faith.
- God is a just God who will ultimately bring justice. We can trust that God will deal with those who harm us and oppose His will.
- Hope and praise are powerful weapons. Even in the midst of suffering, we can choose to focus on God's faithfulness and offer Him praise.
- God hears the cries of the afflicted. We can be confident that God hears our prayers and will respond according to His perfect will.
Psalms 69 is a timeless psalm that speaks to the human experience of suffering, injustice, and the longing for deliverance. It reminds us to turn to God in our times of need, to trust in His justice, and to hold onto hope, knowing that He will ultimately bring salvation and restoration.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
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.
O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
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.
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
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.
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.
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
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.
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.
The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
Psalms 69 is a powerful and deeply moving psalm that resonates with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by suffering, injustice, and the sting of betrayal. This psalm, attributed to David, is a poignant cry for deliverance, interwoven with expressions of faith and a confident anticipation of God's salvation. It also stands as one of the most frequently quoted psalms in the New Testament, revealing its profound messianic significance.
Context and Background
While David doesn't explicitly state the specific event that inspired this psalm, it's clear he was experiencing intense distress and persecution. The psalm is classified as an "imprecatory" psalm, meaning it includes prayers for God to bring justice and punishment upon the psalmist's enemies. It’s important to understand that these are not expressions of personal vengeance, but rather a plea for God to uphold righteousness and defend His faithful servant. Similar sentiments can be found in Psalms 5, 10, 35, 58, 59, 70, 79, 83, 109, 129, 137, and 140.
The psalm's title mentions the Hebrew word shoshannim, or "lilies," suggesting it may have been set to a particular tune, possibly the same one used for Psalms 45.
A Deep Dive into the Verses
Overwhelmed by Suffering (Psalms 69:1-4)
David begins by lamenting his dire circumstances, feeling as though he is drowning in a sea of troubles. He cries out to God for salvation, emphasizing the urgency of his situation. "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." (Psalms 69:1-2). He feels overwhelmed, like a man sinking in a miry bog, unable to free himself and with the water about to engulf him.
He acknowledges his weariness from calling out to God, yet he continues to look to Him for help. His enemies are numerous and attack him without just cause. "More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore?" (Psalms 69:4).
Suffering for Righteousness (Psalms 69:5-12)
David admits his own sinfulness, recognizing that nothing is hidden from God. "O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you." (Psalms 69:5). However, he emphasizes that his current suffering is not a direct consequence of personal sin. Instead, he endures insults and reproach because of his devotion to God. "For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's sons." (Psalms 69:7-8). This resonates with 1 Peter 3:17, which states, "For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil."
His zeal for God's house consumes him, and the insults hurled at God wound him deeply. This verse is famously quoted in John 2:17, referring to Jesus' cleansing of the temple. He is even mocked and ridiculed by his own family members, judges at the city gate, and drunkards. He is assailed from every direction, causing him to mourn, fast, and wear sackcloth.
A Plea for God's Favor (Psalms 69:13-18)
In the midst of his suffering, David pleads for God's favor and mercy. "But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness." (Psalms 69:13). He asks God to rescue him from the mire and the deep waters, echoing his initial cry for help. Again, David pictures himself sinking in mud with floodwaters swallowing him. These helpless feelings are common to the human experience, regardless of the specific circumstances. When you are suffering and don’t know what to pray, let David’s prayer here be your own.
Brokenhearted and Desolate (Psalms 69:19-21)
David emphasizes that God is fully aware of the insults and reproach he has endured. He longs for compassion and comfort, but finds none. "Reproach has broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine." (Psalms 69:20-21). This poignant description foreshadows the suffering of Jesus, who was offered vinegar while on the cross (Matthew 27:34; Luke 23:36; John 19:28-30).
Imprecatory Prayers for Justice (Psalms 69:22-28)
Here, David's tone shifts as he calls upon God to bring judgment upon his enemies. He prays that their wickedness would turn against them, leaving vengeance to God. Because they have sinned against God, David asks that his burning anger would overtake them. He prays that they would be punished both in history and in eternity. These verses are a powerful reminder that God is a just God who will ultimately hold all accountable for their actions.
Hope and Deliverance (Psalms 69:29-33)
Despite his pain and suffering, David expresses confidence in God's delivering hand. "But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." (Psalms 69:29-30). He anticipates God's intervention and vows to offer praise and thanksgiving, which he knows is more pleasing to God than sacrifices alone. He expresses confidence that God hears his own, especially those who are needy and imprisoned.
A Call to Universal Praise (Psalms 69:34-36)
David concludes the psalm with a call for all of creation to praise God in light of his forthcoming deliverance of his people. "Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it." (Psalms 69:34-35). He anticipates a time of security and prosperity for God's people in the land, desiring not only short-term rescue but also long-term divine covering.
Messianic Significance
Psalms 69 holds significant messianic importance, with several verses quoted in the New Testament to describe the suffering and ministry of Jesus. John 2:17 quotes Psalms 69:9, "Zeal for your house has consumed me," in reference to Jesus' cleansing of the temple. The offering of vinegar to Jesus on the cross fulfills the prophecy in Psalms 69:21. These connections highlight the psalm's prophetic nature and its relevance to understanding the life and sacrifice of Christ.
Lessons for Today
Psalms 69 offers several valuable lessons for believers today:
- It is okay to express our pain and frustration to God. David's honesty in expressing his suffering is a reminder that God welcomes our raw emotions and anxieties.
- Suffering for righteousness is a reality. Like David, we may face opposition and persecution for our faith.
- God is a just God who will ultimately bring justice. We can trust that God will deal with those who harm us and oppose His will.
- Hope and praise are powerful weapons. Even in the midst of suffering, we can choose to focus on God's faithfulness and offer Him praise.
- God hears the cries of the afflicted. We can be confident that God hears our prayers and will respond according to His perfect will.
Psalms 69 is a timeless psalm that speaks to the human experience of suffering, injustice, and the longing for deliverance. It reminds us to turn to God in our times of need, to trust in His justice, and to hold onto hope, knowing that He will ultimately bring salvation and restoration.