Day 144

Psalm 69 part 3

Vs19-21 is one of the most forcible appeals to mercy and compassion that was ever made. The language of these two verses is incomparable.

David’s words of metaphor picture Jesus’ great suffering. The whole vulgar and loud company; Judas and his treachery; Herod and his cunning; Caiaphas and his counsel; Pilate and his vacillation; Jews, priests, people, rulers, all part of the Gall, (bitter herbs). Such are the comforts often administered by the world to an afflicted and deserted soul.  We must have care to not be like the world and increase the suffering of those laid low.

This line is referred to in the NT, specifically, in the suffering of Jesus. On the cross, they gave Him ‘vinegar to drink’ (Matthew 27:34.) John 19:28-29 making it clearer;  ‘that the Scripture might be fulfilled.’

In the section from v22-28, the point is clear; the ‘wicked’ must experience God’s wrath. ‘Their table’ figuratively sets forth their prosperity. The peril waiting for those who rejected the man after God’s heart, as described here, was quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 11:9-10 as appropriate to those among his own people who rejected Jesus.

The line,’Let their dwelling place become desolate,’ is twice referred to in the New Testament. Jesus quoted it in sadness over Jerusalem (Matt23:38) and Peter quoted it as descriptive of Judas (Acts 1:20).

The very juxtaposition of David cursing his tormentors and Jesus praying for His brings out the gulf between type and antitype. That NT vs OT more loving approach is often given example in the great forgiveness Jesus showed for those who nailed Him to the cross. However, Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness for His crucifiers is a prayer inspired by His freedom from all personal vindictiveness. Neither in that prayer nor in any of His teachings, can we find a word of tolerance for those who do wrong.

In v29-33 David did not only pray for the downfall of his enemies. He also asked God to rescue him from drowning in the mire of hateful men and to establish him ‘upon high.’ The final stanza brings the psalm to a triumphant conclusion.