For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Lilies.” By David. Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck!

The Psalm

Psalms. Chapter 69. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Lilies.” By David. Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck! I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail looking for my God. Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn’t take away. God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren’t hidden from you. Don’t let those who wait for you be shamed through me, Lord GOD of Armies. Don’t let those who seek you be brought to dishonour through me, God of Israel. Because for your sake, I have borne reproach. Shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s children. For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards. But as for me, my prayer is to you, LORD, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and don’t let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters. Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don’t let the pit shut its mouth on me. Answer me, LORD, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me. Don’t hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me speedily! Draw near to my soul and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies. You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonour. My adversaries are all before you. Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me poison for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. Let their table before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can’t see. Let their backs be continually bent. Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them. Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime. Don’t let them come into your righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous. But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. It will please the LORD better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs. The humble have seen it, and are glad. You who seek after God, let your heart live. For the LORD hears the needy, and doesn’t despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him; the seas, and everything that moves therein! For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it. The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who love his name shall dwell therein.

Worship Lyrics

For the Chief Musician
To the tune of Lilies
By David
Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck
I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold
I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me
I am weary with my crying
My throat is dry
My eyes fail looking for my God
Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head
Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty
I have to restore what I didnt take away
God, you know my foolishness
My sins arent hidden from you
Dont let those who wait for you be shamed through me, Lord GOD of Armies
Dont let those who seek you be brought to dishonour through me, God of Israel
Because for your sake, I have borne reproach
Shame has covered my face
I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mothers children
For the zeal of your house consumes me
The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me
When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach
When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them
Those who sit in the gate talk about me
I am the song of the drunkards
But as for me, my prayer is to you, LORD, in an acceptable time
God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation
Deliver me out of the mire, and dont let me sink
Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters
Dont let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up
Dont let the pit shut its mouth on me
Answer me, LORD, for your loving kindness is good
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me
Dont hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress
Answer me speedily
Draw near to my soul and redeem it
Ransom me because of my enemies
You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonour
My adversaries are all before you
Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness
I looked for some to take pity, but there was none
For comforters, but I found none
They also gave me poison for my food
In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink
Let their table before them become a snare
May it become a retribution and a trap
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cant see
Let their backs be continually bent
Pour out your indignation on them
Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them
Let their habitation be desolate
Let no one dwell in their tents
For they persecute him whom you have wounded
They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt
Charge them with crime upon crime
Dont let them come into your righteousness
Let them be blotted out of the book of life
And not be written with the righteous
But I am in pain and distress
Let your salvation, God, protect me
I will praise the name of God with a song
And will magnify him with thanksgiving
It will please the LORD better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs
The humble have seen it, and are glad
You who seek after God, let your heart live
For the LORD hears the needy, and doesnt despise his captive people
Let heaven and earth praise him; the seas, and everything that moves therein
For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah
They shall settle there, and own it
The children also of his servants shall inherit it
Those who love his name shall dwell therein

About This Psalm

Psalm 69 is a praise psalm that speaks to the heart of worship and devotion. This ancient song continues to inspire modern believers in their faith journey.

Key Themes: praise, deliverance, righteousness, kingship, conflict

Reflection

This psalm invites us to:

• Meditate on God's word and character
• Apply biblical truth to our daily lives
• Express our hearts in worship and prayer

Music & Worship

Modern worship music for this psalm coming soon. Subscribe to get notified when new recordings are available.

Discussion Questions

1. What does this psalm teach us about God's character?
2. How can we apply the message of Psalm 69 to our lives today?
3. What verse or phrase stands out most to you, and why?

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