Psalm 69:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 69:13-21

David had been speaking before of the spiteful reproaches which his enemies cast upon him; here he adds, But, as for me, my prayer is unto thee. They spoke ill of him for his fasting and praying, and for that he was made the song of the drunkards; but, notwithstanding that, he resolves to continue praying. Note, Though we may be jeered for well-doing, we must never be jeered out of it. Those can bear but little for God, and their confessing his name before men, that cannot bear a scoff and a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 69:21

They gave me also gall for my meat ,.... Either some bitter herb mentioned with wormwood and hemlock, Deuteronomy 29:18 ; or the gall of some animal The Targum renders it, "the gall of the heads of serpents:' the poison of some serpents is in their heads, and the word that is here used signifies the head; see Deuteronomy 32:33 . This was literally fulfilled in Christ, Matthew 27:34 ; and showed that he bore the curse of the law; that being given to him for food, which was not fit... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 69:21

They gave me also gall for my meat - Even the food, necessary to preserve us in their slavery, was frequently mingled with what rendered it unpleasant and disgusting, though not absolutely unwholesome. And vinegar, sour small wines, was given us for our beverage. This is applied to our Lord, Matthew 27:34 , where the reader is requested to consult the notes. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 69:21

Verse 21 21.And they put gall into my meat. Here he again repeats that his enemies carry their cruelty towards him to the utmost extent in their power. He speaks metaphorically when he describes them as mingling gall or poison with his meat, (85) and vinegar with his drink; even as it is said in Jeremiah, “Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.” (Jeremiah 9:15) But still the Apostle John justly declares that this Scripture was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 69:1-36

The psalm divides into five unequal portions, consisting respectively of four, eight, nine, eight, and seven verses. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 69:13-21

The psalmist now betakes himself to earnest prayer—he has sufficiently represented his condition, though he still adds a few words respecting it ( Psalms 69:19-21 ), and the immediate need is relief. He therefore approaches God in what he hopes is "an acceptable time" ( Psalms 69:13 ), and humbly entreats for mercy ( Psalms 69:14-18 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 69:21

They gave me also gall for my meat . Here, at any rate, the psalmist is inspired to be Messianic, i.e. to use words which, while they can only be applied to himself metaphorically and loosely, are in the strictest and most literal sense applicable to Christ. Gall was actually mingled with the drink which was given to Christ just before he was crucified, and which he tasted, but would not swallow ( Matthew 27:34 ). And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Similarly, when upon the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 69:21

They gave me also - My enemies; all persons around me. No one would show me even so much kindness as to give me food when I was hungry, or drink when I was thirsty. They utterly forsook me; they left me to die unpitied. Nay, they did more than this. When I was perishing with hunger, they not only refused to give me wholesome food, but they mocked my sufferings by giving me a bitter and poisonous herb for food, and vinegar for my drink.Gall for my meat - For my food. Or, they gave me this... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 69:21

Psalms 69:21. They gave me gall for my meat Instead of affording me that pity and comfort which my condition required, they barbarously added to my affliction. These words were only metaphorically fulfilled in David, but were properly and literally accomplished in Christ; the description of whose sufferings, it seems, was principally intended here by the Holy Ghost, who therefore directed David’s pen to these words. And hence what follows may as truly, and perhaps more properly, be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 69:1-36

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

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