When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. David's practice of fasting appears both here and also in Psalms 35:13 ; Psalms 109:24 ; 2 Kings 12:16 , 22. As fasting was not enjoined by the Law, he might be reproached for over-righteousness, and perhaps also for ostentation, on account of it. read more
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up - My zeal - my ardor - in the cause of religion (that is, of thy pure worship) has been so great as to consume me. It has been like a devouring fire within me. Zeal is represented under the idea of heat - as it is in the Greek language; and the characteristics of heat or fire are here applied to it. This passage is quoted in John 2:17, and applied to the Saviour, not as having had originally a reference to him, but as language which would accurately... read more
When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting - The words “and chastened” are not in the original. The literal translation would be, “And I wept (away) my soul with fasting;” that is, I gave myself so much to fasting accompanied with weeping, that my strength was exhausted. This refers to his acts of devotion; to his endeavors to discipline his soul so as to lead a strictly religious life.That was to my reproach - This may either mean that they accused him of hypocrisy and insincerity; or,... read more
Psalms 69:7-9. Because for thy sake For my trust in thy promises, obedience to thy commands, and zeal for thy glory; “because I adhere to thee, and will use no unlawful means to right myself;” I have borne reproach For they turn all these things into matter of contempt and derision. I am become a stranger to my brethren, &c. They behave themselves toward me as if I were a perfect stranger, or a man of another country and religion. For the zeal of thy house That fervent love which... read more
Psalms 69:10-12. When I wept For their impiety, and the reproaches they cast upon God and godliness; and chastened my soul with fasting That is, either my body or myself; that was my reproach They derided me for my piety and devotion, and for my faith in God’s promises and hopes of assistance from him. I made sackcloth also my garment In token of my humiliation and hearty sorrow, as the manner then was in days of fasting. I became a proverb to them They used my name proverbially of... read more
Psalms 69:0 Undeserved sufferingAs a person sinking in a muddy pit, or someone drowning in swirling floodwaters, so the psalmist fears he is being overwhelmed by his sufferings. No human help is near (1-3). His enemies cruelly injure him, forcing him to suffer for sins that he did not commit (4). He knows he is not sinless, but he also knows that he has tried to live uprightly before God. On the basis of this he cries out to God to rescue him. He does not want his enemies to triumph over him,... read more
the zeal, &c. Quoted as fulfilled in John 2:17 . the reproaches. Quoted in Romans 15:3 . read more
I wept, and chastened my soul. The Septuagint reads "I humbled my soul". read more
Psalms 69:9. For the zeal of thine house— That is, "My concern for thy holy worship has drawn a confederacy of irreligious men upon me, who are now just upon the point of compassing my ruin." But this verse had a more eminent completion in our Redeemer. See Joh 2:17 and Romans 15:3. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 69:9
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. David's "zeal for God's house" was shown, first, in his establishment of the tabernacle on Mount Zion ( 2 Samuel 6:12-19 ); next, in his earnest desire to build a permanent and magnificent dwelling for the ark of the covenant ( 2 Samuel 7:2 ; Psalms 132:2-5 ); then, in his careful collection of materials for the building which he was forbidden to erect himself ( 1 Chronicles 28:11-18 ; 1 Chronicles 29:2-5 ); and finally, in the... read more