Sometimes psalms remind us of Jesus as the person described going through things described in the psalm. Other times Jesus plays a different part. This psalm includes both. Let's take a look. These first two verses could easily take us to the story of the Apostle, Peter, walking on water and then sinking. Peter is the one going through the trouble described here and God needs to save him.
I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me. Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs on my head. Many enemies try to destroy me with lies, demanding that I give back what I didn't steal. (Psalms 69:3-4 NLT)
In another place, Jesus teaches his disciples (like Peter) not to worry about what they will eat, sleep, or wear because God already knows that they need these things. When Jesus teaches this concept, He points out that the hairs on their heads are all numbered - God is bigger than any trouble they face. They can trust Him. Little did they know at the time, they were facing Him in person.
O God, You know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from You. Don't let those who trust in You be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign LORD of Heaven's Armies. Don't let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel. For I endure insults for Your sake; humiliation is written all over my face. Even my own brothers pretend they don't know me; they treat me like a stranger. (Psalms 69:5-8 NLT)
The first class I taught about building Christ into other people, the people in the class all wanted to leave. They weren't struggling with my teaching style. They were struggling with His Word on leadership. Leadership is about walking with God, then helping others get there. When we started reading passages about what it meant to walk with God, many of the class participants felt unqualified and unworthy because of their sin. To their credit, they didn't want their sin to get in the way of somebody else's walk. I would guess that Peter and the other apostles felt much the same way.
Passion for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. When I weep and fast, they scoff at me. When I dress in burlap to show sorrow, they make fun of me. I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me. But I keep praying to You, LORD, hoping this time You will show me favor. In Your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with Your sure salvation. (Psalms 69:9-13 NLT)
This part of the psalm takes us right back to Jesus. This time, He is the one with passion for the Father's house. He is being insulted no matter what He does. Jesus shows us, though, that God will answer this prayer for "sure salvation," through Him. Jesus is the solution to the problem of sin. His time overturning the tables in the temple court pointed us straight to him.
Rescue me from the mud; don't let me sink any deeper! Save me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters. Don't let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me. (Psalms 69:14-15 NLT)
Remember the flood waters with someone sinking? Peter was in this picture because he walked on water and then lost faith. Jesus was the one who saved Peter from sinking. Jesus pulled him from the deep waters. Jesus calmed the storm. Jesus is God's answer for "sure salvation." Jesus is the way.
Answer my prayers, O LORD, for Your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for Your mercy is so plentiful. Don't hide from Your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble! Come and redeem me; free me from my enemies. 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. (Psalms 69:16-21 NLT)
Jesus again comes to mind as the psalm continues to be sung. He prays earnestly in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is in deep trouble. No one helps him in his despair. Even his closest friends fall asleep when He asks them to stay and pray. They scatter when He is taken away to be crucified. He is even offered sour wine on the cross.
Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare and their prosperity become a trap. Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and make their bodies shake continually. Pour out Your fury on them; consume them with Your burning anger. Let their homes become desolate and their tents be deserted. To the one You have punished, they add insult to injury; they add to the pain of those You have hurt. Pile their sins up high, and don't let them go free. Erase their names from the Book of Life; don't let them be counted among the righteous. (Psalms 69:22-28 NLT)
This is where we can see the beauty of God's teaching. Anyone singing this psalm in their head would recognize the parallel to Jesus' life. When He is offered sour wine on the cross, they would expect the next part to be lived out. They would expect Jesus to call for the destruction of His enemies. Instead, they hear something completely different.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice. (Luke 23:34 NLT)
God's solution for sin is forgiveness. Yes, He will destroy His enemies in the end. He would rather, though, forgive those who return to Him. Jesus forgave His enemies rather than call down the curses in Psalm 69. Jesus showed us God's answer to the anguish described in this psalm.
I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by Your saving power. Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor Him with thanksgiving. For this will please the LORD more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. (Psalms 69:29-31 NLT)
God's forgiveness means salvation. God's saving power raised Jesus from the dead. That same saving power raises us from the sickness and death that comes through our sin. When He saves us, we praise Him with singing and honor him with thanksgiving. Once again, we see more clearly what Jesus was doing on the cross that day. He was saving us.
The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged. For the LORD hears the cries of the needy; He does not despise His imprisoned people. (Psalms 69:32-33 NLT)
Right when we expect condemnation, God offers forgiveness. Right when we realize we are God's enemies, He says we don't know what we're doing. Right when we are sinking in the waters of despair, He reaches out and rescues us. God is our rock and our salvation. He saves us.
Praise Him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them. For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land. The descendants of those who obey Him will inherit the land, and those who love Him will live there in safety. (Psalms 69:34-36 NLT)
What about you? Do you expect God to punish your rebellion by wiping your name out of the Book of Life? Or, do you trust Jesus to pull you out of the waters of despair? Do you see the God who saves us?
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