ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Psalms 69

Psalm Ps. 69. This is an individual lament. A faithful Israelite is suffering for wrongs he has done (v. 5). Attackers take advantage of his suffering and make it worse (v. 26). In his role as representative for the people of God, David wrote this psalm to show the ideal response to such trials.

Ps. 69:4–5 hate me without cause. This is not a claim of total innocence; the psalm acknowledges that the singer is not perfect (the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you). Rather, it is a claim that the singer has not done harm to the particular people who attack him with lies. By quoting this psalm, John 15:25 presents Jesus as the perfect faithful Israelite, who may expect the unfaithful to hate him.

Ps. 69:6 The singer knows his sin could result in some of the faithful (those who hope in you) being scorned. He prays that this will not happen.

Ps. 69:9–12 Reproach means to despise or insult. This idea was introduced in v. 7 and dominates this section.

Ps. 69:9 zeal for your house has consumed me. In John 2:17, Jesus’ disciples remember this text after Jesus has driven the livestock merchants and money-changers out of the temple. Jesus embodies the ideal faithful member of God’s people, as the Davidic kings were supposed to do. the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. In Rom. 15:3, Paul applies this text to Jesus; he saw Jesus as the ideal covenant member who was willing to suffer reproach for the sake of God’s truth.

Ps. 69:13–18 my prayer is to you, answer me, hide not your face, draw near. The singer’s case is desperate, and he urgently needs God’s help. The prayer echoes Ex. 34:6, appealing to what God has revealed about himself: the abundance of your steadfast love and faithfulness (Ps. 69:13) and steadfast love and mercy (v. 16).

Ps. 69:21 for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. John 19:28–29 uses these words in connection with one of Jesus’ last statements on the cross (see also Matt. 27:34, 48; Mark 15:23, 36; Luke 23:36). The sour wine would have been the cheap beverage that the soldiers used to satisfy their thirst. But Jesus felt forsaken by God (Mark 15:34), and his thirst must have been far more severe than anything this drink was meant for. When Jesus received it, he briefly prolonged his life (and his agony), and perhaps moistened his lips enough finally to cry out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

Ps. 69:22–23 In Rom. 11:9–10, Paul cites this curse to explain why his fellow Jews who reject the message of Christ have been hardened. He also explains why the curse is not final: it is a “partial hardening,” which will be relieved if and when they repent (Rom. 11:23–25).

Ps. 69:25 In Acts 1:20, this text is applied to Judas, who had taken part in destroying Jesus, who was the perfect embodiment of this psalm.

Ps. 69:29–33 The writer promises to magnify God with public thanksgiving when God saves him from his enemies (set me on high).

Ps. 69:34–36 All creation praises God. God is committed to populating Zion with the faithful offspring of his (faithful) servants. God intends for the whole world to be able to praise him. He intends for Zion to set an example of faithfulness for the rest of the world. Zion cannot do this when evil persons corrupt others.