Psalm 69 is often referred to as a Messianic psalm, meaning its chief interpretation is found in Christ.  The Lord Jesus said in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”  This chapter clearly indicates the suffering and triumphant savior. The chapter may be divided as follows:

1. Hated without a cause (Verses 1-6)

2. Bearing reproach (Verses 7-12)

3. His own prayer (Verses 13-21)

4. The retribution (Verses 22-28)

5. His exaltation and glory (Verses 29-36)

Let’s briefly look at these divisions.

Verses 1-6 – The first three verses show the pitiful suffering and cries of our precious savior as He was on the cross of Calvary.  Oh, how He suffered for you and me.  And while He suffered, He was made to say, “THEY THAT HATE ME WITHOUT A CAUSE are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.” (Verse 4).  Listen to the words of the Lord in John 15:25, “But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.”  Indeed, these words were fulfilled in the Lord Jesus.  Although He came in love to save the lost, He was hated by most for no reason.

Verses 7-12 – These verses speak of the reproach Christ bore.  Reproach speaks of shame or disgrace and verse 7 says, “Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.”  For the cause of God, Christ endured the hatred and taunts of the vilest of men.  We read in Mark 15:19, “And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.”  Our blessed redeemer was mocked severely while on the cross.  Verse 9 says, “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.”  This was clearly fulfilled in John 2:16-17 where we read, “And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.”

Verses 13-21 – These verses reflect the pitiful prayer of the Lord Jesus when He was suffering on the cross.  To read these verses with quiet reflection will lead the believer to appreciate how the Lord hurt for our sakes.  I’m reminded of the prophetic words concerning the Lord Jesus in Lamentations 1:12, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”  Verse 21 says, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”  We find the realization of this saying in Matthew 27:34, “They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.”  Truly, this prayer reflects what the Lord Jesus endured when He was on the tree of Calvary.

Verses 22-28 – Verses 22-23 say, “Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.”  These words are quoted by the Apostle Paul to describe the rejection of the Jews who refused to receive the Lord Jesus in Romans 11:9-10.  This governmental judgment of the nation of Israel is far different from the cry of the Lord Jesus from the cross when He prayed for the individual forgiveness of those who had crucified Him.  (Luke 23:34).

Verses 29-36 – Confident of receiving the deliverance for which He had prayed, He anticipates it by at once offering thanksgiving to God.  What a song of triumph!  We join in with the joy of the Lord’s disciples when they exclaimed, “The Lord is risen indeed!” (Luke 24:34).

There is so much more that could be said concerning this Messianic Psalm 69.  It is so rich in truth and in revelation of the Lord Jesus.  At this point, I can only encourage you to read, study, and meditate on this important psalm for it speaks of Christ.  (CC)  (671.2)