Psalms 69:35

Verse Psalms 69:35. God will save Zion] This fixes the Psalm to the time of the captivity. There was no Zion belonging to the Jews in the time of Saul, when those suppose the Psalm to be written who make David the author; for David after he came to the throne, won the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites. 2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Chronicles 11:5.

Will build the cities of Judah] This refers to the return from the captivity, when all the destroyed cities should be rebuilt, and the Jews repossess their forfeited heritages. Some apply this to the redemption of the human race; and suppose that Zion is the type of the Christian Church into which the Gentiles were to be called. What evangelists and apostles apply to our Lord, we safely may. What others see so clearly in this Psalm relative to Gospel matters, I cannot discern.

ANALYSIS OF THE SIXTY-NINTH PSALM

There are three parts in this Psalm: -

I. The psalmist's prayer, and the reasons for it, Psalms 69:1.

II. Declaration of God's judgments against his enemies, Psalms 69:22-19.

III. His profession of thanks, Psalms 69:29-19.

I. His prayer: "Save me, O God!" And then his reasons.

1. His present condition: "The waters are come in unto my soul."

2. "I sink in deep mire."

3. "I am come into deep waters."

4. "I am weary of my crying."

5. "My throat is dried" with calling on thee.

6. "Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God."

When he considered his enemies, he found reason to cry. They were,

1. Malicious: "They hate me without a cause."

2. Numerous: "More than the hairs of my head."

3. Powerful: "My enemies are mighty," Psalms 69:1.

1. He declares his innocence with respect to their accusations, and the oppression he suffered: "I restored that which I took not away."

2. Begs to be heard, lest he should be confounded before his enemies.

3. Shows that he suffers for God's cause.

4. He was zealous for the Divine worship.

5. He was a deep penitent.

On which account he was a subject of reproach: -

1. To the high - those who sat in the gate.

2. To the low and base: "I was the song of the drunkards."

He renews his petition, and presses on God to hear him: -

1. Because of his being ready to sink. Psalms 69:13.

2. Because of God's goodness, mercy, and truth: "In the multitude of thy mercies," c.

3. Because he was God's servant, and would not desert his Master.

4. Because of his enemies, who would have a sinful triumph if he was not delivered.

And he pleads their ill usage as a reason why God should help him.

1. They were scorners, and God knew it: "They are all before thee," Psalms 69:19.

2. Reproach had almost broken his heart.

3. His friends had abandoned him, Psalms 69:20.

4. His enemies were inhuman: "They gave me gall," c., Psalms 69:22.

II. Prophetic declaration of God's judgments against them: -

1. Their "table should be a snare to them," Psalms 69:22.

2. They should be given up to judicial blindness, Psalms 69:23.

3. They should be enfeebled in their bodies: "Make their loins shake," Psalms 69:23.

4. God's "wrath should be poured out upon them," Psalms 69:24.

5. Their country should be wasted, Psalms 69:25.

6. They should have the punishment due to their iniquity, Psalms 69:27.

7. They should come to an untimely death: "Let them be blotted out," Psalms 69:28.

III. His profession of thanks. Having spoken of his own condition, that he was poor and sorrowful, he now breaks out into praise: -

1. "I will praise the name of God," Psalms 69:30.

2. This will be the most acceptable sacrifice, Psalms 69:31.

The effect of his deliverance would be double: -

1. It would "gladden the poor," Psalms 69:32 Psalms 69:33.

2. All "creatures would take an interest in it," Psalms 69:34. All shall praise God.

And for this he gives the following reasons: -

1. God's goodness to his Church: "He will save Zion."

2. He will confirm his kingdom among them: "He will build," c.

3. They shall have peace and security: "That they may dwell there, and have it in possession," Psalms 69:35.

4. All that love his name should have it perpetually, Psalms 69:36.

The cruel, the oppressor, the scorner, the irreligious, the hypocrite, shall have nothing of God's approbation here, and shall be excluded from his heavenly kingdom for ever.