691 To the Overseer.—'On the Lilies,' by David. Save me, O God, for come have waters unto the soul. 2 I have sunk in deep mire, And there is no standing, I have come into the depths of the waters, And a flood hath overflown me. 3 I have been wearied with my calling, Burnt hath been my throat, Consumed have been mine eyes, waiting for my God. 4 Those hating me without cause Have been more than the hairs of my head, Mighty have been my destroyers, My lying enemies, That which I took not away—I bring back. 5 O God, Thou—Thou hast known Concerning my overturn, And my desolations from Thee have not been hid. 6 Let not those waiting on Thee be ashamed because of me, O Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, Let not those seeking Thee Blush because of me, O God of Israel. 7 For because of Thee I have borne reproach, Shame hath covered my face. 8 A stranger I have been to my brother, And a foreigner to sons of my mother. 9 For zeal for Thy house hath consumed me, And the reproaches of Thy reproachers Have fallen upon me. 10 And I weep in the fasting of my soul, And it is for a reproach to me. 11 And I make my clothing sackcloth, And I am to them for a simile. 12 Those sitting at the gate meditate concerning me, And those drinking strong drink, Play on instruments.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 69:1-12
Commentary on Psalm 69:1-12
(Read Psalm 69:1-12)
We should frequently consider the person of the Sufferer here spoken of, and ask why, as well as what he suffered, that, meditating thereon, we may be more humbled for sin, and more convinced of our danger, so that we may feel more gratitude and love, constraining us to live to His glory who died for our salvation. Hence we learn, when in affliction, to commit the keeping of our souls to God, that we may not be soured with discontent, or sink into despair. David was hated wrongfully, but the words far more fully apply to Christ. In a world where unrighteousness reigns so much, we must not wonder if we meet with those that are our enemies wrongfully. Let us take care that we never do wrong; then if we receive wrong, we may the better bear it. By the satisfaction Christ made to God for our sin by his blood, he restored that which he took not away, he paid our debt, suffered for our offences. Even when we can plead Not guilty, as to men's unjust accusations, yet before God we must acknowledge ourselves to deserve all that is brought upon us. All our sins take rise from our foolishness. They are all done in God's sight. David complains of the unkindness of friends and relations. This was fulfilled in Christ, whose brethren did not believe on him, and who was forsaken by his disciples. Christ made satisfaction for us, not only by putting off the honours due to God, but by submitting to the greatest dishonours that could be done to any man. We need not be discouraged if our zeal for the truths, precepts, and worship of God, should provoke some, and cause others to mock our godly sorrow and deadness to the world.