Psalm 69:18 - The Waters Are Up to My Neck

Audio Bible

Context

The Waters Are Up to My Neck
…17Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly! 18Draw near to my soul and redeem me; ransom me because of my foes. 19You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You.…

Cross References

Isaiah 63:9
In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.Lamentations 3:57-58
You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not be afraid.” / You defend my cause, O Lord; You redeem my life.James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.Psalm 22:11
Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.Psalm 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.Psalm 31:2
Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.Matthew 28:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Psalm 119:151
You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true.John 14:18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.Psalm 38:21-22
Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God. / Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

Psalm 10:1
Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

Psalm 22:1,19
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? …

Jeremiah 14:8
O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

redeem

Psalm 31:5
Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

Job 6:23
Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

because

Deuteronomy 32:27
Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

Joshua 7:9
For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?

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Psalm 69

Draw near to my soul and redeem me;
This phrase is a plea for God's intimate presence and deliverance. The psalmist, traditionally identified as David, often found himself in dire situations, seeking God's intervention. The request for God to "draw near" suggests a deep desire for divine closeness and support, reflecting the personal relationship between the believer and God. The concept of redemption here is multifaceted, involving both physical deliverance from enemies and spiritual salvation. In the broader biblical narrative, redemption is a central theme, pointing to God's saving acts throughout history, culminating in the work of Jesus Christ. The plea for redemption echoes the Israelites' cry for deliverance from Egypt, symbolizing liberation from bondage.

ransom me because of my foes.
The term "ransom" implies a price paid for freedom, resonating with the sacrificial system in the Old Testament where offerings were made to atone for sin. This concept foreshadows the ultimate ransom paid by Christ, as described in the New Testament, where Jesus' sacrifice is seen as the fulfillment of the ransom for humanity's sin. The mention of "foes" highlights the psalmist's immediate danger and the adversarial forces at play, which can be both physical enemies and spiritual adversaries. This reflects the ongoing struggle between good and evil, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. The psalmist's appeal for deliverance because of his foes underscores the belief in God's justice and protection for those who are oppressed or persecuted.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 69, David is expressing a deep personal plea for God's intervention and redemption amidst his adversities.

2. God
The central figure to whom David directs his plea, seeking divine intervention and redemption.

3. Enemies/Foes
The adversaries that David is facing, representing both physical and spiritual opposition.

4. Soul
The innermost being of David, which he is asking God to draw near to and redeem.

5. Redemption/Ransom
The act of being saved or delivered, which David is seeking from God in the face of his enemies.

Teaching Points

The Need for Divine Nearness
Just as David sought God's presence in times of trouble, believers today should seek closeness with God, especially during trials.

Understanding Redemption
Redemption is a central theme in the Bible, and it involves being delivered from sin and its consequences. Reflect on how Christ's sacrifice fulfills this need.

Facing Adversaries with Faith
David's reliance on God amidst his foes teaches us to trust in God's power and protection when facing our own adversities.

Prayer as a Tool for Deliverance
David's plea is a model for how we can use prayer to seek God's intervention in our lives.

The Assurance of God's Response
Trust in the assurance that God hears and responds to the cries of His people, as demonstrated in David's life.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 69What is the meaning of Psalm 49:7?Psalm 121:4 - If God 'never slumbers nor sleeps,' why do disasters and injustices seemingly go unchecked?In Psalm 49:7, it states no one can redeem another--how does this align with later claims that Jesus pays humanity's ransom?How do Psalms foreshadow Jesus Christ's life and mission?

Verse 18. - Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it. David often complains that God is far from him (Psalm 10:1; Psalm 22:19; Psalm 38:21; Psalm 71:12, etc.), and prays that he will "draw nigh," the sense of distance and alienation being intolerable. Deliver me because of mine enemies; i.e. because of their plots and machinations (see ver. 4). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Draw near
קָרְבָ֣ה (qā·rə·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

my soul
נַפְשִׁ֣י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

and redeem me;
גְאָלָ֑הּ (ḡə·’ā·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

ransom me
פְּדֵֽנִי׃ (pə·ḏê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 6299: To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preserve

because of
לְמַ֖עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Preposition
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

my foes.
אֹיְבַ֣י (’ō·yə·ḇay)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

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