Rescue Me
Psalm 69 (KJV)
1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
4 They 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.
5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
6 Let 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.
7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.
9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
13 But 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.
14 Deliver 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.
15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
16 Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
20 Reproach 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.
21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy 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 bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
33 For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.
36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
Rescue Me
Psalm 69 must be one of the most melancholy and heart wrenching of all the psalms. Here David cries out to God in a voice filled with sorrow, anguish and destruction. He is exhausted and overwhelmed by the onslaught of his many enemies. He is burdened by the reproach of his own trespasses which he confesses to the Lord. Yet, in the end, he trusts that God will rightly judge the wicked. He concludes with songs of praise, for he has hope in his deliverance to come.
“Save me, O God, for the waters have come in upon my soul” (69:1). These are the first words we hear in this psalm. It is a desperate plea of a drowning man. His impending death is not physical, but of his spirit. He continues this metaphor. “I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing” (69:2). He is helpless, unable to save himself. He has come into deep waters and is overwhelmed by floods. Clearly David is in desperate need of deliverance. He admits to being weary from crying and his throat is dry, surely from his continuous pleas for mercy. Yet he is still waiting for his God. He has not lost hope. David has been attacked by a multitude of the wicked, they number more than the hairs on his head.
They want to destroy him and they are mighty. They are not powerless and can harm him physically, mentally and emotionally. David humbles himself before God, confessing his own sins and shortcomings. It is by his own hand that he has been under reproach as well. He is not completely innocent. But he desires that others, who are righteous, are not labeled unfairly by his sins. He is ashamed and does not want others to bear his shame unjustly. David laments that he also fasted and wore sackcloths. He was even ridiculed by the song of drunkards. But God will hear David’s prayer in an acceptable time and will give him mercy. It is with this blessed hope that David still waits on the Lord.
He prays “deliver me out of the mire and let me not sink” (69:14). Here he reminds us of his original condition. Let me be delivered from them which hate me and out of the deep waters. He pleads not to be drowned. Again he has hope in the loving kindness of his Lord who is good. He trusts in God’s tender mercies and knows He will not hide His face from him. He plainly cries out, I am in trouble, hear me speedily. Acknowledging his earlier prayer, David asks for deliverance from enemies. He states God knows of his reproach and shame and dishonor. God also sees all his adversaries. David looked to earthly men for pity and comfort, but found none. Here David seems to foreshadow the suffering of Jesus on the cross when he says “they gave me vinegar to drink” (69:21).
This truly is a most sorrowful psalm for we know no one suffered more than Jesus himself did on the cross when he bore the burden of sin for the whole world. David’s suffering must truly be great to make such a comparison. David curses the plight of the wicked, showing how they will suffer under the wrath of God. They shall be blotted out of the book of the living and unlike the righteous, they will be forever separated from God. David says he is poor and sorrowful. He asks God to set him up on high. This too reminds us of Jesus who said he was meek and lowly. Ultimately, he was lifted high and now sits at the right hand of the Father. As always, David returns to praising and magnifying God with a song. The Lord will be pleased with this sacrifice for He heareth the poor. David declares beyond his individual deliverance, God will also save Zion and Judea. All they that love God’s name shall dwell therein.
David teaches us that there is no shame in pouring out your heart to God. God wants us to bare our soul’s fears and tears before Him. We can admit there are times we are tired, weak and worn. I ask God to help me to come naked before Him, knowing He already knows the issues of my heart. Help me to humbly confess my sins. Help me to ask Him for strength to keep me from sinking into the mire. Let me hope in His love and tender mercy, knowing He will reach down, take my hand and lift me up.
I would love to hear what this Psalm brings to mind for you! Write back to me in Facebook comment or blog reply.
Disclaimer: The intention of this project is not to teach, but rather to share. Please use due diligence in studying the word of God, and seek guidance from your local religious leaders for any questions or concerns.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
The Psalms In Your Palm Weekly Series
Tune in every Sunday to read a passage of scripture, hear Debra’s personal thoughts on the reading, and then relate and reflect on the words as you write them into your palm and into your heart.
The Psalms In Your Palm Playlist
Each song is paired with a Sunday Psalm and reflection, blending scripture and sound to inspire peace, understanding and connection.
Join the American Council of the Blind of Virginia’s Email List
As a member of ACBVA, I encourage you to join our email list to be a part of a vibrant community of visually impaired persons, attend informative monthly online meetings, and learn more about important accessible resources.
For those interested in the benefits of the American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA) organization, you can also become a member, click the link below!
Special Thanks to Elizabeth Baber and Dr. Shakira for all that you do to make it happen.
