Psalms 69:14-18

Context

69:14 Rescue me from the mud! Don’t let me sink!

Deliver me¹ from those who hate me,

from the deep water!

69:15 Don’t let the current overpower me!

Don’t let the deep swallow me up!

Don’t let the pit² devour me!³

69:16 Answer me, O Lord, for your loyal love is good!⁴

Because of your great compassion, turn toward me!

69:17 Do not ignore⁵ your servant,

for I am in trouble! Answer me right away!⁶

69:18 Come near me and redeem me!⁷

Because of my enemies, rescue me!

[69:14] ¹tn Heb “let me be delivered.”

[69:15] ²tn Heb “well,” which here symbolizes the place of the dead (cf. Ps 55:23).

[69:15] ³tn Heb “do not let the well close its mouth upon me.”

[69:16] ³tn Or “pleasant”; or “desirable.”

[69:17] ⁴tn Heb “do not hide your face from.” The Hebrew idiom “hide the face” can (1) mean “ignore” (see Pss 10:11; 13:1; 51:9) or (2) carry the stronger idea of “reject” (see Pss 30:7; 88:14).

[69:17] ⁵tn Or “quickly.”

[69:18] ⁵tn Heb “come near my life and redeem it.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Ps 19:14).