This Psalm conveys the deep sorrow rooted in the heart of the Psalmist. It seems he was overwhelmed by his troubles, unable to find a way out. The depth of his grief is vividly expressed in this Psalm. The thought of having no one to save him likely contributed to his despair. Grief can blind us, but tears can open our eyes.
When grief doesn’t break our hearts, it adds to our burden. The intervention of the Holy Spirit helps a person understand the cause of their grief and discover a way out. The Holy Spirit’s conviction brings tears to our eyes, cleansing them to see the Redeemer. This Psalm illustrates this concept through the Psalmist’s experience.
Seeking God Amidst Commotion
Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God. – Psalms 69:1-3 (NIV)
The Psalmist describes his helpless situation, where he found no foothold while sinking into the miry depths. Some problems come uninvited, but often, we are overwhelmed by those we have brought upon ourselves. In such times, our throats become parched, and we may struggle to even find the voice to pray. People can become perplexed when they are unable to pray. However, even when our throats are dry from struggle, there is always a way to reach God—by pouring out our hearts through tears, as Hannah did in the presence of Eli. Our tears reach out to God. The tears of the Israelites and the son of Hagar are prime examples of how genuine tears reach God, as He is moved not by empty words but by a sincere heart that longs for Him. This Psalm reveals how the Psalmist’s heart yearned to seek God.
Haters Are Outnumbered
Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you. – Psalms 69:4-5 (NIV)
When David was hated by many, he couldn’t find any reason for it. In contrast, when David hated Uriah, he had personal reasons that Uriah never knew or suspected. Though David couldn’t understand why people hated him, those who harboured hatred likely knew their reasons. We often enjoy the company of well-wishers, but their true intentions might remain hidden. It does not mean that we should speculate on their real intention, but we should not rely on them but on God. Job had friends who revealed their true thoughts, believing that God had punished him.
When people see us losing our supporters, they often reveal their true colours. Through David’s life, we learn that genuine love is rare. David boldly claimed he didn’t steal, even though he had taken Uriah’s wife. However, he quickly confessed his wrongdoing to God, acknowledging his folly. Often, we fail to follow this example and continue to lie, forgetting that God’s eyes are always watching us.
A True Realisation
Lord, the LORD Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me. – Psalms 69:6 (NIV)
At one point, David realized that his sinful actions were leading people astray and away from God. This realization broke David’s heart, and he asked God to protect His people from following his example. Jesus taught us to live authentically so that others might glorify His Father (Matthew 5:16). When David was not expected to be on the battlefield, he was present there, but when he was expected to lead the battle, he was resting at his palace. David killed Goliath to bring glory to the God of hosts, but he killed Uriah, bringing disgrace to God’s name. Who brought this change in the life of David? If we are not actively doing something to bring glory to God, we will, by default, bring disgrace to His name. Therefore, it is better to do even small acts of spreading His love than to offer excuses for not sharing His word. Let those who seek God be drawn closer to Him by observing our lives.
Do We Suffer For His Sake?
For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.
I am a foreigner to my own family,
a stranger to my own mother’s children;
for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;
when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.
Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.
But I pray to you, LORD,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none. – Psalms 69:7-13 & 20 (NIV)
Though David claimed that he suffered for God’s sake, a closer examination reveals that his suffering was often due to his own actions and mistakes. God chose David to succeed Saul because of his good heart. However, it took David nearly fourteen years to become king, during which time he was a fugitive, relentlessly pursued by Saul who sought to kill him. Should these sufferings be considered as suffering for God’s sake?
Many believers suffer due to their own actions and mistakes, yet they claim to be suffering for God’s sake or for the Gospel. God has redeemed us and anointed us with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal life. During this time, the devil constantly tries to harm us using our own weaknesses. Should these sufferings be regarded as for God’s sake? Instead, is it not more appropriate to rely on our Redeemer, who will present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God (Jude 1:24-25)?
The drunkard’s songs and the mockery of those at the gate indicate that the Psalmist still relied on these influences, contrary to the guidance in Psalm 1. This highlights that while God uses us to guide others onto the right path, we often struggle to live according to the principles we teach. To overcome difficult situations, it is crucial to withdraw from negative environments and seek God’s presence to hear His words (Psalm 46:10).
If our lives align with God’s will, fasting becomes unnecessary. Even if others mock us, make fun of us, or take joy in our failures, it will not affect us, as we are secure with our Savior, who leads us to eternity. If we are troubled by these people, it is evident that we are not walking in the shadow of our Redeemer. Often, although we claim to be in the light, we remain in darkness.
Not understanding God’s will confuses us, making us long for people’s sympathy, but we won’t find comfort there. Only God and His love can truly comfort us.
Do Not Let Me Down
Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.
Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.
Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes.
You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you. – Psalms 69:14-19 (NIV)
This resembles the prayer of Jonah from the belly of the fish. Jonah brought this trouble upon himself by deliberately disobeying God’s specific command. If we sincerely seek God’s guidance, He will, through the Holy Spirit, reveal our disobedience that has led to our suffering. To help us understand our situation, God often places us in confinement, but many of us resist this and long for fellowship with other believers.
When Jesus tells us to love our enemies, it can be difficult to accept. However, with calmness and solitude (in His secret place – Psalm 91), we can understand that our enemies bring us closer to God than any pastor or apostle. Pastors care for us once we have come close to God and we come closer to God often with the help of our enemies.
David was always mindful of not being disgraced by God in the sight of his enemies. Even when he sinned, he was quick to come to God with a repentant heart. He could distinguish between the presence and absence of the Holy Spirit and cried out to God not to withdraw His Spirit from him, as it convicts and corrects (Psalm 51:11).
Be alert and sober-minded. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Like the Psalmist, we experience scorn, disgrace, and shame when we believe the lies of the devil. If we suffer in front of our enemies, we feel disgraced, but when we suffer due to the devil’s tactics, he blinds us to our disgrace, making us feel proud instead.
An Unhealthy Prayer
They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and a trap.
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.
Pour out your wrath on them;
let your fierce anger overtake them.
May their place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.
May they be blotted out of the book of life
and not be listed with the righteous. – Psalms 69:21-28 (NIV)
The books in the Bible that detail the life of David do not include this specific account. It is possible that David was speaking metaphorically about his sufferings. Many believe that this metaphor from David was later fulfilled in the life of Jesus on the cross. However, there is a difference between David’s metaphorical expression and Jesus’ actual actions. In Matthew 27:34, Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall, but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. Jesus refused the drink, whereas David did not mention a refusal. Instead, the following verses depict the bitterness David experienced and his suggestions, which contrast with God’s compassion. How can this be considered a prophetic message of Jesus’ suffering?
David asked God to bless his enemies, not out of genuine goodwill, but with the intent of kindling their pride and arrogance so that God would destroy them. He prayed that their prosperity would become their downfall and a trap. Similarly, many prayers today are along the lines of “This is what I want God to do to them” or “This is what I know God will do to them.” Any misfortune or calamity in a nation is often attributed to those who do not know God, with people suggesting that God is punishing them. If prayers filled with hate continue, how will non-believers ever be touched by the love of God?
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul quoted these words from the Psalms to warn believers against blaming offenders while forgetting the grace that saved them when they were offenders. When the Gentiles accepted God, they sometimes looked down on the Jews, considering themselves more righteous. Do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you (Romans 11:18).
But As For Me ….
But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
This will please the LORD more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
The poor will see and be glad —
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
The LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.
Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,
for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.- Psalms 69:29-36 (NIV)
After asking God to strike his enemies’ names from the Book of Life, David pleaded for protection and salvation for himself so that he could praise and give thanks to God. This mindset, shared by many, reveals the hardness of their hearts. Jonah, for instance, was disappointed when God saved the Ninevites. David believed that the poor would rejoice when evildoers were destroyed by God. He expected God to act as He did when He heard the cries of the Israelites in captivity and drowned their enemies in the Red Sea. David anticipated that such acts would demonstrate God’s righteousness and thought that heaven and earth would praise God for it.
However, Jesus taught in a parable that there is great joy in heaven when a sinner is saved, not destroyed (Luke 15:7&10). David expected God to avenge the evildoers, thinking this would draw many to Him to inherit the Kingdom of God. Those who love God’s name will dwell in His presence; according to this Psalm, those who love God because He destroys their enemies may dwell there. Jesus, however, asked us to become children of our Father in heaven, who causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45).
Do not let our griefs overwhelm and blind us; instead, let the Holy Spirit intervene and convict us so that, with broken hearts and tears, we may see God and become more like Him.
Father God, make us perfect, as you are perfect.
Make us holy as you are holy.
Sanctify us with your word, because your word is truth.
The Jordan Valley 
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