Psalm 69:4-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 69:1-12

In these verses David complains of his troubles, intermixing with those complaints some requests for relief. I. His complaints are very sad, and he pours them out before the Lord, as one that hoped thus to ease himself of a burden that lay very heaven upon him. 1. He complains of the deep impressions that his troubles made upon his spirit (Ps. 69:1, 2): ?The waters of affliction, those bitter waters, have come unto my soul, not only threaten my life, but disquiet my mind; they fill my head... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 69:4

They that hate me without a cause ,.... As the Jews did; see John 15:18 ; for he did no injury to the persons or properties of men; but went about continually doing good, both to their souls and bodies; so that he merited their highest esteem and love, and not their hatred; and yet they were his implacable enemies; see Luke 19:14 ; are more than the hairs of mine head ; they were a multitude that came to take him in the garden; and it was the multitude that the priests and Pharisees... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 69:5

O God, thou knowest my foolishness ,.... Not that there was real foolishness in him, who, as man, from his infancy was filled with wisdom, and increased in it; and, as Mediator, had the spirit of wisdom on him, and the treasures of wisdom in him; and, as a divine Person, he is the Wisdom of God, and the only wise God; and, as in our nature, there was no foolishness in his heart, nor in his words, nor in his actions: but this is to be understood either of what was accounted so by others; he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 69:4

Then I restored that which I took not away - I think, with Calmet, that this is a sort of proverbial expression, like such as these, "Those who suffered the wrong, pay the costs." Delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi. "Kings sin, and the people are punished." "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." Our fathers have grievously sinned against the Lord, and we their posterity suffer for it. See on Psalm 69:12 ; (note). Some have applied it to our Lord. I... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 69:5

Thou knowest my foolishness - Though we have been brought into captivity in consequence of the crimes of our fathers, yet we have guilt enough of our own to merit a continuation of our miseries. How can such words as are in this verse be attributed to our blessed Lord, however they may be twisted or turned? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 69:4

Verse 4 4.They who hate me without cause are more in number than the hairs of my head The Psalmist now expresses without figure what he had said under the metaphors of the mire and of the impetuous rushing of the waters. Persecuted as he was by so great a multitude of enemies, he had too good reason to be afraid of death in innumerable ways. Nor is his language hyperbolical, when he represents his enemies as more in number than the hairs of his head, since he was mortally hated and detested by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 69:5

Verse 5 5.O God! thou knowest my foolishness Augustine has labored to little purpose to show in what way these words are applicable to Christ; and at length he transfers to his members that which could not properly be said of the Head. (72) David here uses the language of irony; and by this mode of expressing himself he meant to intimate, that, overwhelmed with the unrighteous judgments of men, he betakes himself to God, and implores him to appear as the defender of his cause. This is much more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 69:1-4

contain a pathetic complaint, expressed first in figurative language ( Psalms 69:1-3 ), but (in Psalms 69:4 ) plainly connected with the wicked designs of human enemies. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 69:1-13

The psalmist in three aspects. I. AS A MAN TO BE PITIED . The sufferings described are many and great. They threatened to be overwhelming. Without, there was no escape; within, there was no peace. Crying for help brought no rescue, and waiting upon God brought no deliverance. Hope deferred made the heart sick. Disappointment only called forth more bitter scorn from enemies, and made the ills that multiplied more and more hard to bear. Besides, there was the distressful feeling... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 69:1-18

Suffering and prayer. "The psalm is a prayer and complaint of one suffering severely from men for the sake of God." I. GREAT SUFFERING . ( Psalms 69:1-4 .) 1 . Exposing him to great danger. ( Psalms 69:1 , Psalms 69:2 .) He is in peril of his life. "The floods overwhelm him." 2 . Entailing great bodily exhaustion. ( Psalms 69:3 .) Weary of crying, parched throat, failing eyes. 3 . Arising from the unjust hatred of his enemies, who are numerous and strong. ... read more

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