---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 69"
description: "PSALM 69   :-. Upon Shoshannim—(See on  :-, title). Mingling the language of prayer and complaint, the
sufferer, whose condition is here set forth, pleads"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/69"
---

PSALM 69

. *Upon Shoshannim*—(See on , title). Mingling the language of prayer and complaint, the
sufferer, whose condition is here set forth, pleads for God's help as
one suffering in His cause, implores the divine retribution on his
malicious enemies, and, viewing his deliverance as sure, promises
praise by himself, and others, to whom God will extend like
blessings. This Psalm is referred to seven times in the New Testament
as prophetical of Christ and the gospel times. Although the character
in which the Psalmist appears to some in is that of a sinner, yet his *condition* as a *sufferer*
innocent of alleged crimes sustains the *typical* character of
the composition, and it may be therefore regarded throughout, as the
twenty-second, as typically expressive of the feelings of our Saviour
in the flesh.

**1, 2.** (Compare ).
**come in unto my
soul**—literally, "come even to my soul," endanger my
life by drowning ([Jonah 2:5](../../../kjv/jonah/2/5)).

**3.** (Compare ).
**mine eyes fail**—in
watching ([Psalms 119:82](../../../kjv/psalms/119/82)).

**4. hate me,** &c.—(Compare
[John 15:25](../../../kjv/john/15/25)). On the number and
power of his enemies (compare [John 15:25](../../../kjv/john/15/25)).
**then I restored . . .
away**—that is, he suffered wrongfully under the imputation of
robbery.

**5.** This may be regarded as an
appeal, vindicating his innocence, as if he had said, "If
sinful, thou knowest," &c. Though *David's condition*
as a *sufferer* may *typify* Christ's, without requiring
that a parallel be found *in character.*

**6. for my sake**—literally, "in
me," in my confusion and shame.

**7-12.** This plea contemplates his
relation to God as a sufferer in His cause. Reproach, domestic
estrangement ([Mark 3:21](../../../kjv/mark/3/21); [John 7:5](../../../kjv/john/7/5)),
exhaustion in God's service ([John 7:5](../../../kjv/john/7/5)), revilings and taunts of base men were the sufferings.

**10. wept (and chastened) my
soul**—literally, "wept away my soul," a strongly
figurative description of deep grief.

**7-12.** This plea contemplates his
relation to God as a sufferer in His cause. Reproach, domestic
estrangement ([Mark 3:21](../../../kjv/mark/3/21); [John 7:5](../../../kjv/john/7/5)),
exhaustion in God's service ([John 7:5](../../../kjv/john/7/5)), revilings and taunts of base men were the sufferings.

**12. sit in the gate**—public
place ([Proverbs 31:31](../../../kjv/proverbs/31/31)).

**13-15.** With increasing reliance
on God, he prays for help, describing his distress in the figures of
[Psalms 69:1](../../../kjv/psalms/69/1); [Psalms 69:2](../../../kjv/psalms/69/2).

**16-18.** These earnest terms are
often used, and the address to God, as indifferent or averse, is
found in [Psalms 3:7](../../../kjv/psalms/3/7); [Psalms 22:24](../../../kjv/psalms/22/24);
[Psalms 27:9](../../../kjv/psalms/27/9), &c.

**19, 20.** Calling God to witness
his distress, he presents its aggravation produced by the want of
sympathizing friends (compare [Isaiah 63:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/63/5);
[Mark 14:50](../../../kjv/mark/14/50)).

**21.** Instead of such, his enemies
increase his pain by giving him most distasteful food and drink. The
Psalmist may have thus described by figure what Christ found in
reality (compare [John 19:29](../../../kjv/john/19/29);
[John 19:30](../../../kjv/john/19/30)).

**22, 23.** With unimportant verbal
changes, this language is used by Paul to describe the rejection of
the Jews who refused to receive the Saviour ([Romans 11:9](../../../kjv/romans/11/9);
[Romans 11:10](../../../kjv/romans/11/10)). The purport of the
figures used is that blessings shall become curses, the "table"
of joy (as one of food) a "snare," their
**welfare**—literally,
"peaceful condition," or security, a "trap."
Darkened eyes and failing strength complete the picture of the ruin
falling on them under the invoked retribution.

**23. continually to shake**—literally,
"to swerve" or bend in weakness.

**24, 25.** An utter desolation
awaits them. They will not only be driven from their homes, but their
homes—or, literally, "palaces," indicative of
wealth—shall be desolate (compare ).

**26.** Though smitten of God (), men were not less guilty in persecuting the sufferer ().
**talk to the grief**—in
respect to, about it, implying derision and taunts.
**wounded**—or, literally,
"mortally wounded."

**27, 28. iniquity**—or,
"punishment of iniquity" ().
**come . . .
righteousness**—partake of its benefits.

**28. book of the living**—or
"life," with the next clause, a figurative mode of
representing those saved, as having their names in a register
(compare [Exodus 32:32](../../../kjv/exodus/32/32); [Isaiah 4:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/4/3)).

**29. poor and sorrowful**—the
afflicted pious, often denoted by such terms (compare [Psalms 10:17](../../../kjv/psalms/10/17);
[Psalms 12:5](../../../kjv/psalms/12/5)).
**set me . . . high**—out
of danger.

**30, 31.** Spiritual are better
than mere material offerings ([Psalms 40:6](../../../kjv/psalms/40/6);
[Psalms 50:8](../../../kjv/psalms/50/8)); hence a promise of the
former, and rather contemptuous terms are used of the latter.

**32, 33.** Others shall rejoice.
"Humble" and poor, as in .
**your heart,** &c.—address
to such (compare [Psalms 22:26](../../../kjv/psalms/22/26)).

**33. prisoners**—peculiarly
liable to be despised.

**34-36.** The call on the universe
for praise is well sustained by the prediction of the perpetual and
extended blessings which shall come upon the covenant-people of God.
Though, as usual, the imagery is taken from terms used of Palestine,
the whole tenor of the context indicates that the spiritual
privileges and blessings of the Church are meant.

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