SINKING-Psalm 69

Old Testament, Psalms, Sermons

Sinking helplessly: “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” (Ps 69:1-2). “Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters” (Ps 69:14).

Help: “But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love [ḥeseḏ], O God, answer me with your sure salvation.” “Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love [ḥeseḏ]; in your great mercy turn to me” (Ps 69:13, 16).

Psalm 69 (of David) often categorized as a lament psalm expresses a cry for help (Ps 69:13-18, 29) in the face of intense persecution (Ps 69:4, 7-9, 10-12) and suffering (Ps 69:1-3, 19-21). It contains both elements of individual lament and imprecatory prayer (Ps 69:22-28), making it a powerful expression of deep personal anguish and a call for divine justice. The troubles are not specific, which is in keeping with the purpose of the Psalms to provide templates for prayers for later worshippers with similar, though not identical, issues. 

How to handle opponents and opposition; bringing God into our needs [Motyer]. In Psalm 69, a person complains that he is drowning, figuratively, from the hatred of his enemies, members of his own society and even his family. He calls to God for help, trusting that God will accept his prayer with favor. He is lamenting the destruction of the Temple as a mourner (Ps 69:10-11), and hoping for the return to Zion (Ps 69:35) and the rebuilding of Judah (Ps 69:36). Exile and mourning is suggested throughout.

Sinking. Helplessness. Desperation. Persecution. In Psalm 69 the psalmist laments the trouble besetting his life. It is the most frequently quoted of the psalms in the N.T.:

  • Ps 69:4–Jn 15:25, 18
  • Ps 69:9–Jn 2:17; Rom 15:3; Ac 5:41
  • Ps 69:21–Jn 19:28-29; cf. Mt 27:34, 48; Mk 15:23
  • Ps 69:22–Rom 11:9-10
  • Ps 69:25–Ac 1:20
  • Ps 69:28–cf. Lk 10:20
  • Ps 69:12, 20–matched by Christ’s experience of savage hostility: Mt 27:27-31, 39-44; Mk 14:50.
  1. What do the metaphors used (Ps 69:1-2) tell us about his situation (Ps 40:2; Lam 3:54-58)? Why is he worn out (Ps 69:3)? What’s causing his trouble (Ps 69:4a; 35:19)? Was he accused of financial fraud requiring restitution (Ps 69:4b; 1 Ch 28:11; 29:2)? How can prayer help in life’s storms (Phil 4:6; 1 Th 4:17-18)? [sinking “in the miry depths,” “deep waters,” eyes failing, and being hated “without reason]
  2. Why is it important to confess sin and guilt honestly before God (Ps 69:5; 32:3-4; 51:3)?
  3. What was he concerned about (Ps 69:6)? How did his shame and disgrace affect him (Ps 69:7-8, 10-12)? Were his troubles because of his devotion to God (Ps 69:9; Jer 20:7-10; Jn 2:17)? What does righteous zeal look like today?
  4. On what basis does he plead to God for deliverance (Ps 69:13-18)? What attribute of God does he emphasize (Ps 69:13, 16; Exo 34:6-7)?
  5. How was he treated (Ps 69:19-21)? How does this relate to Jesus [and his disciples] (Mt 27:34, 48; Mk 15:23; Jn 15:18-20; 19:29)?
  6. What are the psalmist’s desires for his enemies (Ps 69:22-28; 35:1, 4-8)? How does this reflect the concept of divine justice in the OT (Dt 19:19; 32:35-36)?
    • Do such imprecatory prayers of “hatred” against one’s enemies anger, or challenge you, or make you uncomfortable?
    • Are they compatible with Jesus (Mt 8:11-12; 25:10-11, 12-13, 34, 41; Rev 14:9-10)?
    • How do you balance God’s judgment and mercy (Mt 5:44; Lk 23:34; Rom 12:17-21)?
  7. What does the psalmist do in the midst of suffering (Ps 69:29-30)? With what result (Ps 69:31-33; Phil 4:4-7)? Why is praising God better than sacrifice (Ps 69:31; Hos 6:6; Mk 12:33)? Why is obedience so much more important than empty rituals?
  8. What does the psalmist anticipate as a result of his praise (Ps 69:34-36)? How does this echo the theme of God’s salvation and restoration in the OT (Isa 61:1-3)? What does this prophetically look to (Rev 21:1-4)? How does focusing on eternity encourage you during present suffering?

Outline:

1. Great need, a sea of trouble (1-5). Appeal for help, 1st complaint.

2. The shame of scorn (6-12). 2nd complaint.

4. The cup, the curse (19-28). 3rd complaint.

5. Prause: Sorrows turned to joy (29-33). Great assurance (34-36).

  1. Introduction and Cry for Help (1-3). Plea for deliverance. 1st complaint.
    • David’s plea for deliverance from deep waters and sinking mire.
    • Describes his exhaustion and waiting for God’s help.
  2. Description of Suffering and Enemies (4-12). Confession of sin (Ps 69:5-6). 2nd complaint (7-12).
    • David speaks of his numerous enemies and false accusations.
    • His zeal for God’s house leads to scorn and reproach.
    • The effect of his suffering on his social standing and relationships.
  3. Prayer for Deliverance and Vengeance (13-21). Prayer for rescue (13-18). Lament over enemies’ cruelty (19-21).
    • A call for God’s favor and redemption from his enemies.
    • David’s plea is grounded in God’s loving-kindness.
    • He describes the bitter treatment and taunting he endures.
  4. Imprecatory Prayers Against Enemies (22-28). 3rd complaint.
    • David asks for curses and punishment upon his enemies.
    • He wishes for their downfall and removal from the book of life.
  5. Affirmation of Trust and Praise (29-36). Praise and thanksgiving.
    • David’s assurance of God’s salvation and his vow to praise God.
    • He anticipates God’s deliverance and the resultant joy of the humble.
    • Concludes with a call for all creation to praise God and a vision of Zion’s restoration.
Number of Views: 879