Psalms 69
FBMeyerPsalms 69:1-17
a Cry out of Deep Waters Psalms 69:1-17 This psalm and the Psalms 22:1-31 are quoted most often in the New Testament as referring to our Lord. Psalms 69:1-36 is very sad. Throughout we detect a heart-break. There are many grounds on which the sufferer bases his plea for salvation. First, his imminent danger from inrushing waters and the deep mire like that in which Jeremiah sank. There are also failing strength, the dried throat, and the drooping eyes.
Mighty foes, too, who hate wrongfully, are plotting his ruin. The consciousness of sin and the dread that others may be made ashamed through his failure, are also bitter ingredients in his cup. And in addition he bore the reproach of those who hated God. What a combination of misery! In some, though not in all, of these sources of grief, our Savior had a share, and therefore He can be a sympathizing High Priest. But out of his misery the psalmist builds his altar of prayer. His plea is in God’ s loving-kindness and tender mercies. Here is the master-argument with God. He can do no other than redeem the soul that clings to Him with such unfaltering faith. It reminds us of the olden resolve, “ Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,” Job 13:15, and also recalls the persistence of the Syrophenician woman, Mark 7:26. Such souls need not fear that they can be cast away.
In deep waters This is the second Psalm with this title, “Upon the lilies” (see Psalms 45:1-17.). It touches the profoundest depths of sorrow, which were only fully known and trodden by our blessed Lord. Of course, there was a primary reference to the sorrows of the Psalmist. Only in Jesus is there a full realization of much that is here expressed. Clearly, however, the maledictions with which wrong-doing is threatened had no place in Him, who from his cross asked his Father to forgive. This, like Psalms 22:1-31, is constantly applied to Christ in the New Testament. Compare Psalms 69:4, with John 15:25; Psalms 69:9, with John 2:17, and Romans 15:3; Psalms 69:21, with Matthew 27:34-48; Psalms 69:25 with Acts 1:20.
Psalms 69:4. Without a cause The last clause is a proverbial way of saying, “I am held guilty of wrongs which I have never done,” as when Shimei charged David with Saul’s sins (2 Samuel 16:8).
Psalms 69:8. A stranger unto my brethren True of David (1 Samuel 17:28), and of our Lord John 1:11; John 7:5).
Psalms 69:9. Reproaches are fallen upon me All these foregoing verses may serve to show us how deep and agonizing was the travail of the Redeemer’s soul when He came to his own, but they received Him not and accounted Him a winebibber and sinner.
Psalms 13:1-6; Psalms 14:1-7; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 16:1-11; Psalms 17:1-15; Psalms 18:1-50; Psalms 19:1-14; Psalms 20:1-9; Psalms 21:1-13. There was none to pity Read these verses once or twice, and think into them some of the meaning with which Jesus uttered them. It is probable that He literally died of a broken heart–this was evidenced in the blood and water of Joh 19:34.
Psalms 69:22-28. Let them be blotted out That such will be the fate of the wicked is undeniable. Though the saint foresee it, he will not desire it for selfish reasons.
Psalms 69:35. Thy holy places We began with “deep mire where there was no standing.” We end in the abiding city of God.
Psalms 69:18-36
“ Jehovah Heareth the Needy” Psalms 69:18-36 In Psalms 69:19-21 the psalmist again spreads out his griefs before God. He had looked for pity, but his foes only aggravated his sufferings. Both Matthew and John had these verses in mind in describing our Lord’ s sufferings on the Cross, Matthew 27:48; John 19:29. The next section, Psalms 69:22-28, is full of imprecations. We cannot bring these terrible words within the scope of our Lord’ s teachings. They show, like a pillar which marks the farthest recession of the tide, how great a difference there is between the standard of the Old Testament ethics and that by which we shall be judged. Psalms 69:29-36 are full of anticipations of deliverance and vows of thanksgiving. The psalmist is sure that God’ s salvation will lift him above his enemies, and that his thanks will be sweeter to God than any sacrifice. Notice that sudden address to seekers after God, Psalms 69:32. Let us draw lessons from our own experiences of God that will hearten others. Seekers will certainly be finders where God is concerned! Matthew 7:7. The news of God’ s restoring power will circle out in ever-widening waves of glory, till heaven and earth and sea catch up the story and respond.
In deep waters This is the second Psalm with this title, “Upon the lilies” (see Psalms 45:1-17.). It touches the profoundest depths of sorrow, which were only fully known and trodden by our blessed Lord. Of course, there was a primary reference to the sorrows of the Psalmist. Only in Jesus is there a full realization of much that is here expressed. Clearly, however, the maledictions with which wrong-doing is threatened had no place in Him, who from his cross asked his Father to forgive. This, like Psalms 22:1-31, is constantly applied to Christ in the New Testament. Compare Psalms 69:4, with John 15:25; Psalms 69:9, with John 2:17, and Romans 15:3; Psalms 69:21, with Matthew 27:34-48; Psalms 69:25 with Acts 1:20.
Psalms 69:4. Without a cause The last clause is a proverbial way of saying, “I am held guilty of wrongs which I have never done,” as when Shimei charged David with Saul’s sins (2 Samuel 16:8).
Psalms 69:8. A stranger unto my brethren True of David (1 Samuel 17:28), and of our Lord John 1:11; John 7:5).
Psalms 69:9. Reproaches are fallen upon me All these foregoing verses may serve to show us how deep and agonizing was the travail of the Redeemer’s soul when He came to his own, but they received Him not and accounted Him a winebibber and sinner.
Psalms 13:1-6; Psalms 14:1-7; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 16:1-11; Psalms 17:1-15; Psalms 18:1-50; Psalms 19:1-14; Psalms 20:1-9; Psalms 21:1-13. There was none to pity Read these verses once or twice, and think into them some of the meaning with which Jesus uttered them. It is probable that He literally died of a broken heart–this was evidenced in the blood and water of Joh 19:34.
Psalms 69:22-28. Let them be blotted out That such will be the fate of the wicked is undeniable. Though the saint foresee it, he will not desire it for selfish reasons.
Psalms 69:35. Thy holy places We began with “deep mire where there was no standing.” We end in the abiding city of God.