Save Me O God (Psalm 69)

Are we blessed when we are mocked, attacked because of our faith in God? Let’s look at Psalm 69.

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Lilies.” By David. (WEB)

Do we ever feel overwhelmed by life’s circumstances, by innumerable enemies?

Save me, O God, For the waters have threatened my life. I have sunk in deep clay, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me. I am weary with my calling out; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God. Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head; Those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies; What I did not steal, I then have to restore. (Ps 69:1-4 LSB)

Do we humbly admit our foolishness and guilt? Though we are mocked for our faith, are we zealous for the assembly of the saints?

God, You know my foolishness, And my guilt is not hidden from You. May 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, Because for Your sake I have endured disgrace; Dishonor has covered my face. I have become estranged from my brothers, And a stranger to my mother’s sons. For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the taunts of those who taunt You have fallen on me. When I wept in my soul with fasting, It became my disgrace. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a proverb to them. Those who sit in the gate talk about me, And songs of mockery by those habitually drunk are about me. (Ps 69:5-12 NASB)

Do we look for both God’s temporal and His eternal salvation?

But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. (Ps 69:13-15 NIV)

Are we always in trouble in this life, just sometimes more urgent than others?

Hear me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies. And do not hide Your face from Your servant, For I am in trouble; Hear me speedily. Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; Deliver me because of my enemies. (Ps 69:16-18 NKJV)

Are the enemies of the cross sometimes more than the followers of God?

You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace. You see all that my enemies are doing. Their 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. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst. (Ps 69:19-21 NLT)

Does God have eternal punishment planned for those who persecute those loyal to Him?

Let their table before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can’t see. Let their backs be continually bent. Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them. Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime. Don’t let them come into your righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous. (Ps 69:22-28 WEB)

What about us in a world of pain, are our thanks worth more to God than great sacrifice?

And me? I’m afflicted. I’m full of pain. Let your salvation keep me safe, God! I will praise God’s name with song; I will magnify him with thanks because that is more pleasing to the Lord than an ox, more pleasing than a young bull with full horns and hooves. Let the afflicted see it and be glad! You who seek God—let your hearts beat strong again because the Lord listens to the needy and doesn’t despise his captives. (Ps 69:29-33 CEB)

Will we one day live with God forever in a new heaven and earth, a new Jerusalem?

Heaven and earth will praise our God, and so will the oceans and everything in them. God will rescue Jerusalem, and he will rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there on their own land, and when the time comes, their children will inherit the land. Then everyone who loves God will also settle there. (Ps 69:34-36 CEV)