Overview

Psalm 69 is a deeply emotional and heartfelt psalm that expresses the psalmist’s anguish and desperation, as well as his trust in God for deliverance. The psalm begins with a cry for help, as the psalmist describes being overwhelmed by troubles that seem to be insurmountable. He is sinking in deep waters, surrounded by enemies, and faces scorn and reproach from others. Despite his distress, the psalmist maintains his confidence in God, calling on God’s mercy and acknowledging His righteousness. As the psalm progresses, the psalmist turns from personal lament to a call for God’s judgment upon his enemies, asking God to avenge the wrongs that have been done to him. The psalm ends with a confident assurance that God will deliver His people, and a final call for praise, as God’s salvation will ultimately be seen and celebrated.

Theologically, Psalm 69 is significant in its portrayal of human suffering, the search for God’s justice, and the confidence that God will bring about His righteousness. The psalm speaks to the human experience of distress and the faithful cry for divine intervention. It emphasizes the themes of God’s sovereignty, justice, mercy, and deliverance. The psalm also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who endured rejection, betrayal, and scorn for the sake of the salvation of humanity. The psalm’s imprecatory sections, where the psalmist calls for judgment on his enemies, also serve as a reminder of God’s ultimate justice, which will be fully realized in Christ’s return and the final judgment.

Psalm 69 calls believers to recognize that even in the midst of suffering and persecution, God is sovereign, and His justice will prevail. It is a reminder that even when we experience deep personal hardship, God hears our cries and will deliver us according to His perfect will and timing. The psalm is ultimately an encouragement for believers to continue trusting in God’s salvation and justice, even when the world seems to be full of injustice and suffering.

Historical and Literary Context

Psalm 69 is traditionally attributed to David, and while the specific circumstances surrounding its composition are not clear, it is understood to reflect a time of deep personal distress, likely related to David’s experience of persecution from his enemies, both within Israel and among the surrounding nations. This psalm could have been written during a time when David faced both physical danger and rejection from those he had served, possibly during the period when he was fleeing from King Saul or when his son Absalom rebelled against him.

In the larger context of the Book of Psalms, Psalm 69 belongs to the category of lament psalms, in which the psalmist expresses grief, sorrow, and pain while seeking God’s intervention. Lament psalms are characterized by an honest expression of human suffering, but they always include an appeal to God for help and a firm belief in His eventual deliverance. The psalmist here seeks God’s justice in the face of deep personal distress, and his lament is combined with a call for vengeance on those who have wronged him.

Literarily, Psalm 69 is structured in three main sections: the opening lament and plea for help (verses 1-18), the imprecatory appeal for judgment on the psalmist’s enemies (verses 19-28), and a closing expression of confidence in God’s salvation (verses 29-36). This structure helps convey the psalmist’s journey from desperate petition to confident trust in God’s deliverance.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

• God’s Sovereignty and Deliverance: The psalm begins with an urgent plea for God’s help in the face of overwhelming trouble. Despite the psalmist’s circumstances, there is a clear acknowledgment that God is the ultimate source of rescue. The psalmist’s cries to God reveal that while he faces enemies and challenges, he ultimately recognizes that God is sovereign over all things and is able to deliver him from the depths of despair.
• Human Suffering and God’s Justice: Psalm 69 gives a vivid description of human suffering and the feeling of being forsaken. The psalmist’s experience resonates with the reality that God’s people will face trials, persecution, and rejection in a fallen world. However, it also emphasizes that God is a righteous judge who will right all wrongs. In this context, Psalm 69 speaks to the justice of God, a theme that is crucial to understanding God’s character. Believers are called to trust in God’s justice, even when it is not immediately apparent in the world.
• Imprecatory Psalms and God’s Judgment: The psalm includes imprecations, where the psalmist calls for God’s judgment upon his enemies. While these prayers are harsh, they underscore the belief that God will punish wickedness and defend the righteous. This theme is important in the broader redemptive story, as it points to the final judgment that will come when Christ returns. While Christians are to love their enemies, they also recognize that God will ultimately bring justice to the earth, and the wicked will be judged.
• Christ’s Suffering and the Fulfillment of Psalm 69: Psalm 69 is often seen as prophetic of the suffering that Jesus would endure. The psalm’s themes of rejection, scorn, and suffering at the hands of enemies find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who experienced betrayal and scorn from His own people. In John 2:17, the New Testament references Psalm 69:9 in connection with Jesus’ zeal for God’s house, and in Matthew 27:34, Jesus’ experience of thirst on the cross echoes Psalm 69:21. Jesus’ suffering on the cross, as He was rejected and abandoned, mirrors the suffering expressed in this psalm, and His ultimate victory over death provides the final answer to the psalmist’s plea for deliverance.
• God’s Mercy and Grace: Even in the midst of distress, the psalmist continues to call on God for mercy. The psalm is a recognition that, despite the psalmist’s suffering and the injustice he faces, God’s mercy is greater than the psalmist’s sins, and He is faithful to deliver those who trust in Him. This reflects the broader doctrine of God’s mercy in the Bible, particularly as it is demonstrated in Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death provides mercy and forgiveness to all who believe.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Psalm 69:1-2

“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.”

The psalmist begins with a cry for immediate help from God. The waters here are symbolic of overwhelming trials and dangers, possibly physical, emotional, or spiritual, threatening to overwhelm the psalmist. The imagery of sinking into miry depths suggests the feeling of being trapped, with no way to escape or stand firm. This deep sense of drowning evokes a feeling of helplessness and desperation.

Theological Insight: The psalmist’s use of water as a metaphor reflects the biblical theme of chaos and opposition. In Scripture, waters often symbolize destruction and chaos (e.g., Genesis 7:17, Isaiah 59:19). Yet, God is consistently portrayed as having dominion over the chaotic waters (Psalm 104:5-9), offering a reminder that God’s sovereignty reigns even over the most overwhelming situations.

Application: In times of overwhelming difficulty or trial, believers can cry out to God with the same urgency. Like the psalmist, we can express our helplessness and trust that God, who controls all circumstances, is able to rescue us from despair. This reminds us of God’s power to deliver His people, as seen in His intervention in Israel’s history and in the life of Jesus, who saved humanity from the chaos of sin and death.

Psalm 69:3

“I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.”

This verse emphasizes the depth of the psalmist’s distress. Worn out calling for help and parched throat speak of the exhaustion and frustration from prolonged suffering, where the psalmist feels as though his cries have gone unheard. The psalmist’s eyes failing suggest the emotional and physical toll of waiting for God’s intervention, signaling his deep longing and faith in God’s response.

Theological Insight: The psalmist’s endurance through trial and his longing for God reflect the endurance of faith through difficult circumstances. It mirrors the experience of many biblical figures who wrestled with long periods of suffering before God’s deliverance came (e.g., Job, the Israelites in Egypt). Christ, too, experienced abandonment and longing for His Father during His passion, ultimately trusting in God’s will (Matthew 27:46).

Application: Christians may also feel weary in the midst of trials, but this verse encourages perseverance in prayer and faith. Even when God’s response seems delayed, the psalmist’s example teaches that we must keep calling out to God, trusting in His timing. Faith in God’s eventual deliverance, despite the struggle, is key to maintaining hope.

Psalm 69:4

“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.”

Here, the psalmist describes the intensity of his opposition. He feels that those who hate him are more than he can count and that their hatred is unjustified. The phrase “forced to restore what I did not steal” suggests the injustice he faces—being held accountable for something he did not do. The psalmist is wrongfully accused, which deepens his sense of alienation and frustration.

Theological Insight: This verse highlights the reality of unjust suffering, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. Jesus Himself experienced unjust accusations, particularly from religious leaders, and ultimately was crucified despite His innocence (Matthew 27:12-14). The psalmist’s suffering prefigures Christ’s innocent suffering, where He was despised and rejected by others, yet bore the weight of sin and injustice on behalf of humanity (Isaiah 53:3-5).

Application: Christians can take comfort in knowing that God sees and understands unjust suffering. Jesus, who endured the ultimate injustice, serves as an example that God will eventually make things right. When faced with persecution or wrongful accusation, Christians can draw strength from knowing that their Savior understands their pain and has triumphed over evil.

Psalm 69:5

“You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.”

This verse demonstrates the psalmist’s humility before God. He acknowledges his own sinfulness and guilt, recognizing that even though he is being unjustly persecuted, he is not without fault before God. This admission of personal wrongdoing contrasts with his cry for justice, as he surrenders to God’s all-knowing sovereignty.

Theological Insight: The psalmist’s admission of guilt and folly reflects the biblical truth that none are righteous, and that even in times of suffering, we must recognize our own need for God’s mercy. The New Testament teaches that believers, though justified through Christ, still struggle with sin (Romans 7:18-25). The acknowledgment of sin before God is an important aspect of humility and repentance.

Application: Christians should regularly examine themselves, confessing their sins to God. Acknowledging our own shortcomings allows us to approach God with a humble heart, trusting in His forgiveness and grace. This also reminds us to seek justice from God, knowing that He is the righteous judge who will judge both the wicked and His people justly.

Psalm 69:6-12

“Do not let those who hope in you be disgraced because of me, O Lord Almighty; do not let those who seek you be humiliated because of me, O God of Israel. For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my own family, a foreigner to my own mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.”

In these verses, the psalmist expresses a desire for God’s name to be honored, despite the scorn he is facing. He sees his suffering as tied to his zeal for God, which has led others to hate him. His family has rejected him, and he feels isolated. The reference to zeal for God’s house connects with Jesus’ own zeal for the temple (John 2:17) and His suffering for God’s glory.

Theological Insight: These verses anticipate the suffering of Jesus, who experienced rejection from His family (Mark 3:21, John 7:5), was scorned for His faithfulness to God, and endured mockery and ridicule for His zeal for the Lord’s house (Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus’ self-sacrifice for the glory of God parallels the psalmist’s cry, making this psalm prophetic of Christ’s suffering on the cross.

Application: Christians are reminded that following God faithfully might bring suffering, but this suffering is for a greater purpose. Just as Jesus’ suffering brought about salvation for humanity, our faithful suffering for God’s glory can have eternal significance. Christians are called to endure rejection and scorn, knowing that God sees their faithfulness.

Psalm 69:13-18

“But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.”

The psalmist transitions from lament to hope. He acknowledges God’s great love and pleads for salvation, knowing that God is faithful to answer in His perfect timing. The psalmist calls for God to act in His favor, trusting that God’s mercy will bring about deliverance.

Theological Insight: The psalmist’s prayer reflects the grace of God in responding to His people’s distress. It is not based on the psalmist’s own merits but on God’s love and faithfulness. This is mirrored in the New Testament, where believers are called to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), knowing that He will respond according to His mercy and love.

Application: Christians can pray with confidence, knowing that God is always near to those who call upon Him. When facing trials, believers should take comfort in knowing that God’s grace will bring deliverance in His time. Trusting in God’s love leads to a hopeful confidence, even in the midst of suffering.

Psalm 69:19-28

“You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.”

The psalmist continues to ask for God’s judgment on his enemies, who have caused him suffering. The imprecatory nature of this section calls for God’s justice to be executed against those who have wronged the psalmist. The psalmist appeals to God’s righteousness and knowledge of all things, trusting that God will bring judgment as He sees fit.

Theological Insight: The imprecatory prayers in the psalms remind us that God will right all wrongs. While Christians are called to love their enemies, they can also trust that God will bring justice in the end (Romans 12:19). The call for judgment in these verses points forward to the final judgment when God will fully and finally deal with all evil and unrighteousness.

Application: Christians can trust in God’s justice, knowing that ultimately He will make things right. While we are called to love our enemies, we can rest in the assurance that God will execute perfect justice in His time. This provides comfort for those experiencing injustice.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

Psalm 69 has powerful prophetic connections to the suffering and mission of Jesus Christ. From the very beginning, the psalmist’s cry for rescue from overwhelming circumstances mirrors Jesus’ own suffering, especially as He faced rejection, scorn, and the weight of humanity’s sin. Just as the psalmist describes being surrounded by enemies and overwhelmed by troubles, Jesus experienced the ultimate opposition in the form of His betrayal by Judas, His rejection by the people, and His crucifixion at the hands of those who hated Him without cause (Psalm 69:4). This foreshadows Christ’s rejection by Israel, as He endured suffering, not because of His own wrongdoing, but for the sake of God’s redemptive plan.

Psalm 69 also offers a glimpse of Jesus’ passionate zeal for God’s glory and His righteous anger against sin. Jesus’ cleansing of the temple (John 2:17) aligns with the psalmist’s declaration of zeal for the house of God (Psalm 69:9). Jesus embodies the fulfillment of the psalm’s cry for justice—He not only calls for the vindication of the righteous but is the one who makes that justice possible through His death and resurrection.

Furthermore, Psalm 69 points to Jesus as the ultimate suffering servant, one who is unjustly persecuted but who trusts in God’s deliverance. The suffering described in Psalm 69—rejection, abandonment, and scorn—are all part of Jesus’ life and work, culminating in His sacrificial death. Jesus, by taking on the full weight of humanity’s sin, became the answer to the psalmist’s cry for justice and deliverance, providing the ultimate salvation for God’s people. His suffering fulfills the lamentation of the psalmist, as He bears the punishment for sin and invites all to partake in the restoration He offers.

Connection to the Father

Psalm 69 connects deeply with the Father’s role in the redemption of humanity. Throughout the psalm, the psalmist cries out to God, demonstrating a dependence on the Father’s mercy, power, and deliverance. This connection between the psalmist’s plea and God’s provision finds its ultimate expression in the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ. Jesus, in His time on earth, constantly sought the Father for strength, guidance, and rescue from the weight of His mission. His cry on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), echoes the desperation and feeling of abandonment expressed by the psalmist.

The Father’s involvement in Psalm 69, particularly in the psalmist’s longing for deliverance, points to God’s ultimate plan for salvation through His Son, Jesus. Jesus’ crucifixion was a moment of extreme suffering, where the Father’s will was accomplished through His Son’s sacrificial death. The Father’s justice, mercy, and holiness converge in the cross, where God the Father, in His sovereign love, sent His Son to die for the sins of humanity. The psalmist’s plea for rescue is answered in the person of Jesus, as the Father sent His Son to accomplish the deliverance of all those who would trust in Him.

Connection to the Holy Spirit

While the Holy Spirit is not explicitly mentioned in Psalm 69, the Spirit plays an essential role in the fulfillment of the psalm’s themes. The psalmist’s longing for God’s intervention and his experience of being overwhelmed resonate with the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as the comforter (John 14:16), who empowers and strengthens believers in times of suffering and persecution. Just as the psalmist cries out to God for rescue, so too does the Holy Spirit intercede for believers, especially in times of distress when they may not know what to pray (Romans 8:26-27).

The Spirit also connects the psalmist’s suffering to the work of Jesus Christ. Through the Spirit, the Father sent His Son into the world, and the Spirit empowered Jesus during His earthly ministry. After Jesus’ ascension, the Holy Spirit was sent to dwell within believers, providing them with the strength to endure suffering and the assurance of God’s presence and victory. The Spirit is the One who helps believers grasp the depth of God’s mercy and grace, which is displayed most fully through the suffering and resurrection of Jesus. The Spirit also empowers Christians to live out the justice and mercy that Psalm 69 calls for, extending God’s love to a hurting world.

Connection to God’s Love

Psalm 69 is filled with expressions of God’s love and care for His people, particularly for those who are oppressed and suffering. The psalmist appeals to God’s great love to bring deliverance, trusting that God’s mercy will bring about salvation. This theme of divine love is foundational in the life of Jesus, as He is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity. Jesus’ willingness to suffer on behalf of humanity is the greatest act of love, as He took on the punishment for sin, which mankind could not bear.

Psalm 69 speaks to God’s care for the vulnerable, with a special focus on the fatherless, the widow, and the oppressed. God is shown to be a defender of those who have no earthly protector, and this aspect of God’s character is fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who healed the sick, welcomed the outcasts, and restored the brokenhearted. His ministry consistently demonstrated God’s redemptive love, seeking to restore people to a right relationship with God and with one another.

The psalmist’s longing for justice, for God to set things right, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus’ first coming, where He inaugurated the kingdom of God, offering salvation to the world. Jesus’ death on the cross represents both God’s justice—punishing sin—and God’s love, in that Jesus, in His mercy, bore the punishment for all who would believe. This is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and care for humanity, offering redemption and restoration through Christ’s sacrifice.

Sermon Outline and Flow

Title: God’s Deliverance, Justice, and Love: Trusting in the Savior

Introduction

• Hook: Begin with a personal story of a time when you or someone you know experienced a difficult situation, whether a trial, suffering, or injustice, and how that person cried out for help. Relate this to the psalmist’s cry for deliverance in Psalm 69.
• Transition: Psalm 69 is a psalm of lament, where the psalmist cries out in the face of overwhelming suffering. Yet, even in the midst of distress, there is a confidence in God’s eventual intervention, justice, and love. Today, we will see how this psalm not only reflects the psalmist’s struggles but also points to the ultimate deliverance and justice that we find in Jesus Christ.
• Main Point: Psalm 69 teaches us to cry out to God in our suffering, trust in His justice, and recognize that His love for humanity is ultimately displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

I. The Cry for Deliverance (Psalm 69:1-3)

• Main Point: In times of overwhelming distress, we can bring our cries to God, knowing that He hears us.
• Key Verses: Psalm 69:1-3
• Explanation: The psalmist begins by describing his desperate situation—surrounded by danger and sinking into deep waters. His cry reflects the deep emotional and spiritual agony of feeling overwhelmed.
• Application: Like the psalmist, Christians can come to God with their burdens, knowing that He listens to our cries for help. Whether it’s personal suffering, spiritual dryness, or external opposition, God invites His people to bring their troubles to Him.
• Illustration: Share a story of a Christian who found comfort in prayer during a difficult time or a personal experience where prayer brought peace in a moment of hardship.
• Transition: Just as the psalmist seeks God’s intervention, he also acknowledges the injustice he faces, highlighting the next theme of God’s justice.

II. The Cry for Justice (Psalm 69:4-12)

• Main Point: God is the ultimate righteous judge who will bring justice to those who are wronged.
• Key Verses: Psalm 69:4-12
• Explanation: The psalmist laments being falsely accused and persecuted, despite his innocence. He expresses the injustice of his situation and calls for God’s judgment upon his enemies.
• Application: Christians can find assurance in the truth that God will right all wrongs. While we are to love our enemies, we also trust that God will bring about perfect justice in His time (Romans 12:19). This is not an invitation to vengeance but a call to trust in God’s sovereignty and righteousness.
• Illustration: Share an example of someone who experienced injustice but found peace in knowing that God would bring justice, either in this life or at the final judgment.
• Transition: As the psalmist seeks justice, he also expresses his deep faith in God’s deliverance, which leads us to the next section on God’s mercy and love.

III. God’s Mercy and Love (Psalm 69:13-18)

• Main Point: Even in the midst of suffering, we can trust in God’s mercy and love, knowing that He will deliver us.
• Key Verses: Psalm 69:13-18
• Explanation: Despite the psalmist’s deep distress, he appeals to God’s great love and asks for salvation, trusting that God will answer him in His perfect timing.
• Application: Christians are reminded that God’s mercy is unshakeable. Even when we feel as though our cries are unanswered, we can trust that God hears us and will act according to His love and mercy. The ultimate display of God’s mercy is found in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, where God extended mercy to humanity, forgiving sins and offering redemption.
• Illustration: Share the story of someone who found hope and encouragement in knowing that God’s love would ultimately carry them through hardship, or use the example of Christ’s mercy toward the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43).
• Transition: As we reflect on God’s mercy, we are also called to worship and praise God for His faithfulness, which leads us to the final section of the psalm.

IV. A Call to Praise and Worship (Psalm 69:29-36)

• Main Point: Even in our trials, we are called to praise God for His righteousness and deliverance.
• Key Verses: Psalm 69:29-36
• Explanation: The psalm ends with a confident declaration of God’s future deliverance and a call for all people to praise God for His faithfulness. The psalmist looks forward to a time when God’s justice will be fully realized, and all nations will worship Him.
• Application: Even when facing hardship, Christians are called to worship and praise God, recognizing His faithfulness and sovereignty. Praise is not dependent on circumstances but is a response to who God is—our Savior, our Deliverer, and the Righteous Judge. As Christians, our worship should reflect our trust in God’s ultimate victory.
• Illustration: Use an example of someone whose faith led them to praise God even in the midst of trials. For example, a Christian who faced illness or loss but continued to glorify God through their testimony.
• Transition: As we look to the ultimate deliverance that God provides, we see that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the psalmist’s cries and hopes.

Conclusion: Call to Action

• Summary: Psalm 69 teaches us to cry out to God in our suffering, trust in His justice, and rest in His mercy. The ultimate fulfillment of this psalm is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who endured suffering, injustice, and rejection, but triumphed through His resurrection. We are called to trust in Christ for deliverance, live in light of His justice, and worship Him as our Savior and King.
• Call to Action: I challenge you today to reflect on your own relationship with God. Are you crying out to Him in your distress? Do you trust in His justice, knowing that He will make all things right? Are you responding to His mercy with a life of worship and praise? Let us commit today to trust God in all circumstances, knowing that He will deliver us, and let us share His justice and mercy with those around us.
• Closing Prayer: Close with a prayer for strength to endure suffering, faith to trust in God’s justice, and a heart of worship that glorifies God in all things.

Illustrations and Examples

1. Story of Victory Over Hardship: Share a personal testimony or a story from history of someone who faced significant hardship but found deliverance or hope through faith in God. This can relate to the psalmist’s cry for help and God’s eventual intervention.
2. Modern-Day Example of Justice and Mercy: Share an example from the church or a personal story about a person or organization that has worked for justice in a broken world, helping the oppressed or seeking to make things right in the face of injustice. This highlights God’s care for the marginalized and His desire for justice.

Application for Today’s Christian

1. Discipleship: Christians are called to learn from the psalmist’s example by bringing their hurts, frustrations, and requests to God in prayer. Discipleship means following Jesus through both suffering and deliverance, trusting in His timing and wisdom.
2. Stewardship: Christians should use their resources, time, and talents to advocate for justice, showing mercy to those in need, and participating in God’s work of restoration in the world. This includes standing for righteousness, advocating for the oppressed, and caring for the vulnerable.
3. Living Out Faith: Psalm 69 encourages Christians to continue praising God in all circumstances. Worship should not be limited to good times but should be a continual response to God’s sovereignty, mercy, and justice. Christians should live out their faith with joy, even in trials, knowing that God’s ultimate victory is assured.

Reflection Questions

1. How have you experienced God’s deliverance in your own life, and how can you trust in His justice in your current situation?
2. What areas of your life require you to cry out to God for His mercy and intervention?
3. In what ways can you actively work for justice in your community or support those who are suffering and oppressed?
4. How can you respond in worship to God’s justice and mercy, even when facing challenges?