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Psalm chapter 69

English Standard Version

1 Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. 2I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. 4 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? 5O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. 6Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. 7For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face. 8I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother 's sons. 9For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. 10When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. 11When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. 12I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me. 13But 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. 14Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 15Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. 16Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. 17 Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. 18Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies! 19You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you. 20 Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. 21They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. 22 Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see, and make their loins tremble continually. 24Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your burning anger overtake them. 25 May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents. 26For they persecute him whom you have struck down, and they recount the pain of those you have wounded. 27 Add to them punishment upon punishment; may they have no acquittal from you. 28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous. 29But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! 30I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. 32When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 33For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. 34Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. 35For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it; 36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall dwell in it.
New International Version

1For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies." Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 3I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
4Those 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.
5You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. 6Lord, 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. 7For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. 8I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; 9for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. 10When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; 11when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.
12Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. 13But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. 14Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.
15Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. 16Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. 17Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes. 19You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. 20Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.
21They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. 22May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. 23May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. 24Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. 25May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 26For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. 27Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.
28May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.
29But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me. 30I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 31This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. 32The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. 34Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, 35for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; 36the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.
New American Standard Bible

1 Save me, God, For the waters have threatened my life. 2I have sunk in deep mud, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me. 3I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; Those who would destroy me are powerful, those who oppose me with lies; What I did not steal, I then have to restore. 5God, You know my foolishness, And my guilt is not hidden from You. 6May those who wait for You not be ashamed because of me, Lord God of armies; May those who seek You not be dishonored because of me, God of Israel, 7Because for Your sake I have endured disgrace; Dishonor has covered my face. 8I have become estranged from my brothers, And a stranger to my mother’s sons. 9For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the taunts of those who taunt You have fallen on me. 10When I wept in my soul with fasting, It became my disgrace. 11When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a proverb to them. 12Those who sit in the gate talk about me, And songs of mockery by those habitually drunk are about me. 13But as for me, my prayer is to You, Lord, at an acceptable time; God, in the greatness of Your mercy, Answer me with Your saving truth. 14Rescue me from the mud and do not let me sink; May I be rescued from those who hate me, and from the depths of water. 15May the flood of water not overflow me Nor the deep swallow me up, Nor the pit close its mouth on me. 16Answer me, Lord, for Your mercy is good; According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me, 17And do not hide Your face from Your servant, For I am in distress; answer me quickly. 18Come near to my soul and redeem it; Ransom me because of my enemies! 19You know my disgrace, my shame, and my dishonor; All my enemies are known to You. 20Disgrace has broken my heart, and I am so sick. And I waited for sympathy, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none. 21They also gave me a bitter herb in my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 22May their table before them become a snare; And when they are at peace, may it become a trap. 23May their eyes grow dim so that they cannot see, And make their hips shake continually. 24Pour out Your indignation on them, And may Your burning anger overtake them. 25May their camp be desolated; May there be none living in their tents. 26For they have persecuted him whom You Yourself struck, And they tell of the pain of those whom You have wounded. 27Add guilt to their guilt, And may they not come into Your righteousness. 28May they be wiped out of the book of life, And may they not be recorded with the righteous. 29But I am afflicted and in pain; May Your salvation, God, set me safely on high. 30I will praise the name of God with song, And exalt Him with thanksgiving. 31And it will please the Lord better than an ox Or bull with horns and hoofs. 32The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive. 33For the Lord hears the needy, And does not despise those of His who are prisoners. 34Heaven and earth shall praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them. 35For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, So that they may live there and possess it. 36The descendants of His servants will inherit it, And those who love His name will live in it.
Christian Standard Bible

1For the choir director: according to "The Lilies." Of David. Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck. 2I have sunk in deep mud, and there is no footing; I have come into deep water, and a flood sweeps over me. 3I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
4Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me, are powerful. Though I did not steal, I must repay. 5God, you know my foolishness, and my guilty acts are not hidden from you. 6Do not let those who put their hope in you be disgraced because of me, Lord God of Armies; do not let those who seek you be humiliated because of me, God of Israel. 7For I have endured insults because of you, and shame has covered my face. 8I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons 9because zeal for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. 10I mourned and fasted, but it brought me insults. 11I wore sackcloth as my clothing, and I was a joke to them.
12Those who sit at the city gate talk about me, and drunkards make up songs about me. 13But as for me, Lord, my prayer to you is for a time of favor. In your abundant, faithful love, God, answer me with your sure salvation. 14Rescue me from the miry mud; don’t let me sink. Let me be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep water. 15Don’t let the floodwaters sweep over me or the deep swallow me up; don’t let the Pit close its mouth over me. 16Answer me, Lord, for your faithful love is good. In keeping with your abundant compassion, turn to me. 17Don’t hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!
18Come near to me and redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies. 19You know the insults I endure— my shame and disgrace. You are aware of all my adversaries. 20Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I waited for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters, but found no one.
21Instead, they gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 22Let their table set before them be a snare, and let it be a trap for their allies. 23Let their eyes grow too dim to see, and let their hips continually quake. 24Pour out your rage on them, and let your burning anger overtake them. 25Make their fortification desolate; may no one live in their tents. 26For they persecute the one you struck and talk about the pain of those you wounded. 27Charge them with crime on top of crime; do not let them share in your righteousness.
28Let them be erased from the book of life and not be recorded with the righteous. 29But as for me—poor and in pain— let your salvation protect me, God. 30I will praise God’s name with song and exalt him with thanksgiving. 31That will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves. 32The humble will see it and rejoice. You who seek God, take heart!
33For the Lord listens to the needy and does not despise his own who are prisoners. 34Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them, 35for God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah. They will live there and possess it. 36The descendants of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will live in it.
New Living Translation

1Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. 2Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. 3I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me. 4Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs on my head. Many enemies try to destroy me with lies, demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.
5O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. 6Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel. 7For I endure insults for your sake; humiliation is written all over my face. 8Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.
9Passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. 10When I weep and fast, they scoff at me. 11When I dress in burlap to show sorrow, they make fun of me. 12I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me.
13But I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. 14Rescue me from the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper! Save me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters. 15Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me.
16Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful. 17Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble! 18Come and redeem me; free me from my enemies.
19You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace. You see all that my enemies are doing. 20Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. 21But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst.
22Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare and their prosperity become a trap. 23Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and make their bodies shake continually. 24Pour out your fury on them; consume them with your burning anger. 25Let their homes become desolate and their tents be deserted. 26To the one you have punished, they add insult to injury; they add to the pain of those you have hurt. 27Pile their sins up high, and don’t let them go free. 28Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous.
29I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.
30Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. 31For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. 32The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. 33For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.
34Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them. 35For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land. 36The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land, and those who love him will live there in safety.
King James Version

1To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
2I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
3I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
4They 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.
5O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
6Let 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.
7Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
8I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.
9For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
10When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
11I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
12They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
13But 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.
14Deliver 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.
15Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
16Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
17And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
18Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
19Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
20Reproach 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.
21They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
22Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
23Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
24Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
25Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
26For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
27Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
29But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
30I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
32The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
33For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
34Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
35For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.
36The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
New King James Version

1{To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Psalm of David.} Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me. 3 I am weary with my crying; My throat is dry; My eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4Those who hate me without a cause Are more than the hairs of my head; They are mighty who would destroy me, Being my enemies wrongfully; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it. 5O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You. 6Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me; Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel. 7Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face. 8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, And an alien to my mother’s children; 9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. 10When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach. 11I also made sackcloth my garment; I became a byword to them. 12Those who sit in the gate speak against me, And I am the song of the drunkards. 13But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation. 14Deliver me out of the mire, And let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters. 15Let not the floodwater overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me. 16Hear me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies. 17And do not hide Your face from Your servant, For I am in trouble; Hear me speedily. 18Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; Deliver me because of my enemies. 19You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; My adversaries are all before You. 20Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none. 21They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 22 Let their table become a snare before them, And their well-being a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually. 24 Pour out Your indignation upon them, And let Your wrathful anger take hold of them. 25 Let their dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents. 26For they persecute the ones You have struck, And talk of the grief of those You have wounded. 27 Add iniquity to their iniquity, And let them not come into Your righteousness. 28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous. 29But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. 30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. 31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, Which has horns and hooves. 32 The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live. 33For the Lord hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners. 34 Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them. 35 For God will save Zion And build the cities of Judah, That they may dwell there and possess it. 36Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it, And those who love His name shall dwell in it.

What does Psalm chapter 69 mean?

The title of this psalm refers to some type of musical leader. It also notes the Hebrew word sō'sannim, or "lilies," which may refer to a tune to which the psalm could be sung. Another example of this same reference is in the title verse of psalm 45.

This is one of the "imprecatory" psalms which call on God to harm His enemies. Other examples are Psalms 5, 10, 17, 35, 58, 59, 70, 79, 83, 109, 129, 137, and 140. These songs express desire to see the Lord do justice—they are not promises that the psalmist will act in revenge. Believers should take such feelings to God and submit them to His will (Romans 12:19). He graciously allows us to vent our frustrations to Him (Habakkuk 1:2–4), guiding us to deeper trust. This is also one of the most cited psalms in the New Testament (John 2:17; 15:25; Romans 11:9–10; Acts 1:20).

The psalm begins with David's state of mind during a troubling time. In this segment, and the psalm in general, he often depicts a sense of being overwhelmed using references to drowning or being consumed by a flood. Of course, he did not wait until now to begin praying. Yet the first line indicates David's sense that his situation is at a critical point. He is "up to his neck" in persecution and danger as he cries out for God's salvation (Psalm 69:1–3).

David does not claim to be sinless; he confesses that he has done wrong and that those acts cannot be hidden from God. Yet now, his enemies are numerous. Their attacks have no reasonable basis. He is not being punished for his own sins (1 Peter 3:17). Instead, these opponents lie and conspire to destroy him. David credits their hatred to his own loyalty to God. Even close friends and family are betraying him. These people slander God, and David takes those as personal offenses. One statement in this section is cited in the gospel of John regarding Jesus' enthusiasm for His Father's reputation (John 2:17). Every aspect of David's faith is being mocked and ridiculed—even by community leaders who sit at the city gates (Psalm 69:4–12).

Because of these intense pressures, David calls on God for salvation. Even though he has been waiting and asking (Psalm 69:3), he has faith enough to wait longer if that is the Lord's will. David anchors his prayers for rescue in God's mercy, not his own perfection (Psalm 69:5). He again uses images of being overwhelmed. No one on earth is willing to help David; in fact, those who claim to comfort him instead bring poisoned food and vinegar (Psalm 69:13–21).

Midway through his psalm, David changes his focus. Here, he calls directly on the Lord to bring harsh punishment to his enemies. This section is why the song is considered one of the "imprecatory" psalms. David's requests cover virtually every part of his enemies' existence: their security, homes, knowledge, and bodies. He is not planning to take these actions himself; these are prayers that God would accomplish such things. Even further, David calls on God to end the lives of these persecutors and deny them eternal life. In the meantime, David is in agony and begs to be rescued (Psalm 69:22–29).

Despite his troubles, David is sure that the Lord will come through with salvation. He looks ahead, with full assurance, expecting to worship the Lord with both praise and sacrifices. Since the Lord cares for the persecuted, David calls on all creation to honor God. He also looks forward in hope to a time when God's people will live in their Promised Land in peace (Psalm 69:30–36).
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