READING: Psalms 69-70 – Deliverance from Persecution and Enemies

Again, these Psalms blend into a common theme. These are Psalms of David, written between his sin with Bathsheba and his flight from Absalom. A careful reading of them will give insights into each of those episodes in David’s life and his deep sorrow for each of them. 

Psalm 69, the longer of the two, is a very personal plea to God for deliverance from persecution. He says, “I am weary with my crying… My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God… many are those who would destroy me, my enemies who accuse me falsely… O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.” 

That was a plea for himself; then he prays that his folly will not harm others. “Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me. Do not let those who seek you be dishonored because of me.”  

There are passages in this psalm that are Messianic: “Zeal for your house has consumed me; the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me… For my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Those familiar with the New Testament will recognize these passages Jesus used when He cleansed the temple and from the cross. Paul also used vv. 22-23 in Romans 11:9-10 to explain Israel’s hard-heartedness. 

One of my favorite passages in this psalm is in vv.30-31. “I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.” David knows that merely burning an animal to satisfy God is not sufficient if it does not come from a thankful, grateful heart. Cain made a gift, but Able’s gift was accepted because of his faith. 

In Psalm 70 David asks God to “Be pleased, O God, to deliver me… Let those be put to shame who seek my life. Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor… Let those who say, ‘Aha, Aha!’ Turn back because of their shame.” This is what he asks God to do to his enemies, note that David leaves vengeance to God. 

But he quickly turns to a happier message in this psalm-prayer as he writes, “Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, ‘God is great!’” These lines are certainly useful for God’s children today to pray.  

So many of the psalms contain gems such as this one that we should spend personal time reading and meditating on them. Personally, for the past 2-3 years I have read through the Psalms each month. I regret that I have not spent adequate time in meditating on these wonderful parts of God’s Word. Certainly, Paul was right when he wrote, “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4, NRSV) 

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PRAY FOR YOURSELF 

Father in Heaven, help me always to pray, “Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. Let those who love your salvation say, ‘God is great.’” Help me to make this my constant prayer, in the name of Jesus, Your Son, and my precious Savior, AMEN!  

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for myself)  

Holy Father my prayer for all who read this and for myself, is that we read AND SPEND TIME MEDITATING on the Psalms (and the other Scriptures). I offer this prayer for myself, and for all who read this as a challenge to those who say the Old Testament Scriptures are null and void, in the precious name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN!