Text: Psalm 69:1-36
“The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.” —Psalm 69:32 (NLT)
In the year 1999, I was staying at a pastor’s home in North Wales who was well known to the locals inside and outside the church. As I slept with the windows open, late in the night some drunk teenagers came staggering down the street singing loud parodies in a clinker of an attempt to mock the preacher. Though their clamorous rendition of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” surely wasn’t going to be nominated for any Grammy awards, that didn’t keep this makeshift street choir from entertaining and amusing themselves along the way. I was waiting for the preacher to wake up, go out and pull an “Elisha” on them by calling two she-bears out of the woods to “quiet” the frivolous youths. But he just slept on… peacefully.
In Psalm 69, David cries out to God for help because his enemies have overwhelmed him. They “hate him without cause” and “attack him with lies” (v. 4), while taking advantage of his suffering. Like my pastor friend in North Wales, even “the drunkards make songs” about him (v. 12). David begins his lament using the metaphor of “sinking” to describe his feelings of “weariness” over “waiting for my God” (v. 3).
Have you ever felt like that? Can you identify with David as one who is crying out for justice and waiting on God while the choirboys of injustice seem to have the loudest voice?
As the attacks pile on, so do David’s pleas for God to show up. Though we never see a shift in David’s circumstances throughout this Psalm, we do see a progression of David’s tune and a shift in the melody of his heart. He goes from one who feels overwhelmed and sinking to one who is “praising” God with a song and “magnifying” the LORD with “thanksgiving.” It culminates with a grand vision of salvation as all of heaven and earth, and everything that moves in the seas, is in a chorus of praise at the wonders of God. A key verse (v. 32) is when David states:
“When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.”
Here we find the contingency to revival: “when the humble see it.” The shift doesn’t take place when the attacks cease or when the circumstances change, but when the perspective shifts—when the worshiper sees “it.”
What is it?
“It” is the better story that God is writing through Jesus. Psalm 69 points to Jesus. Jesus also was hated without cause (John 15:23-25). Just as David was “zealous” for God’s glory and suffered “the reproaches of those who reproach” God (v. 9), these were prophecies fulfilled in Christ (John 2:13-17, Romans 15:3). Additionally, the picture portraying the fate of David’s enemies (v. 22-23) is a foretelling of what becomes of Jesus’ adversaries (Romans 11:5-10).
The beauty from ashes, or shall we say the redemption from the “deep mire,” in Psalm 69, is that God’s Word is true and eternal. The “better story” God is writing has been scripted by centuries of prophetic truths fulfilled in Christ, confirmed by archaeological discoveries, and upheld by endless historical facts. Our faith need not be shaken by any momentary circumstances, for we know our timeless Redeemer lives. Justice is coming, and this truth can help us to even embrace our enemies and love the undeserving along the way. For that is the story of us all—sinners undeserving of God’s love, mercy, and kindness, yet beneficiaries of His amazing grace.
Are you letting the parodies of your circumstances sing louder than the melody of your praise? Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, forgive me for allowing my circumstances to dictate emotional responses rather than channeling my faith to dictate praise responses. Holy Spirit, teach me to abide in your Truth, and revive my heart with the same hope of the psalmist when he sang of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty over creation. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection and/or Group Discussion:
- When was the last time you felt like you were sinking in the “deep” of your circumstances?
- Can you relate to the psalmist’s confession of feeling “weary” with waiting for God?
- Where have you been allowing a certain circumstance to dictate emotional responses, instead of channeling your faith to dictate praise responses over that situation?
- What can this psalm reveal about us (our sin, our brokenness, our humanity), the sovereignty of God, and the Good News we have in Jesus?
- What specific response is the Holy Spirit leading you to take regarding this psalm?
