Psalms

Psalms 69: The LORD hears His needy people

Begin in prayer

Before we hear David's cry from deep trouble, let us bring both our sins and our wounds before God. Ask Him to show us Jesus in the suffering the apostles recognise and give us hope in His mercy.

It shall come to pass that, as you were a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Don’t be afraid. Let your hands be strong.”

Zechariah 8:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the LORD hears His needy people and calls them to entrust justice and salvation to Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David cries for rescue as though sinking in deep mud and rising waters, exhausted by prayer and hated without cause. He confesses his sins before God and asks that his trouble will bring no shame on others who seek Him. Zeal for God's house has brought scorn, estrangement and mockery, yet he continues asking for an answer through abundant loving kindness. When he seeks comfort, none is found, and even his food and drink bring bitterness. He asks God to judge those who add cruelty to his wounds, turning their security into ruin and excluding them from the righteous. Still in pain, he promises the thanksgiving that pleases God more than an outward sacrifice. He invites the humble and creation to praise the LORD who hears the needy and will save Zion for those who love His name.

As you read Psalms 69, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD hears His needy people, judges cruel rebellion and gives hope of salvation that leads to praise.

Mud without a foothold and rising floodwaters picture a sufferer overwhelmed by enemies and worn out with crying to God. David is innocent of their accusations, yet his confession of foolishness and sins keeps his own guilt plainly before the Lord. His concern for fellow worshippers asks that his suffering will never become a reason for their dishonour. Zeal for God's house has brought estrangement and mockery, including scorn for his fasting and sackcloth, the clothing of grief. John 2 verse 17 applies that zeal to Jesus, while Romans 15 verse 3 applies the reproaches borne for God to Him. The New Testament uses these lines of Jesus, but David's confession of his own sins belongs to David, for Jesus had no sin. The prayers for ruined tables, darkened eyes and desolate homes entrust judgment to God against people who cruelly increase the sufferer's pain. Exclusion from the book of life asks that the wicked have no place among the righteous, a fearful judgment before God's holy sight. Yet the needy man's hope rests in God's hearing mercy, which receives heartfelt thanksgiving and promises a home for those who love His name.

How does Psalm 69 show us that the LORD hears His needy people, judges cruel rebellion and gives hope of salvation that leads to praise?

The LORD sees His servant's suffering and knows his sin.

David's enemies hate him without cause and make his devotion a reason for mockery. He also acknowledges that God knows his own sins. His cry seeks mercy without allowing the hostility to shame others who trust the Lord.

God's loving kindness gives the distressed reason to keep praying.

David asks God to draw near and redeem him when no comforter can be found. Gall for food and vinegar for thirst deepen the bitterness he describes. The Lord sees the whole reproach and hears the appeal to His tender mercies.

God judges those who add cruelty to another's pain.

David asks God's wrath to overtake the persecutors, with their security turned into a trap. Crime upon crime means their guilt is charged against them. Their exclusion from righteousness is a judgment David asks the holy God to give.

The LORD hears the needy and gives hope that becomes praise.

David is still in pain when he promises thankful song. His thankful song will please God more than an offering of ox or bull. The hope reaches Zion, Judah and the servants who love His name, inviting heaven and earth to join.

Memorise

For Yahweh hears the needy, and doesn’t despise his captive people.

Psalm 69:33

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what guilt and what hurt do I need to bring to Jesus for mercy?

David says, “In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.” John 19 verses 28 and 29 record Jesus' thirst and the vinegar brought to Him as Scripture was fulfilled. The sinless Saviour entered the bitter suffering this song describes.

David confessed his own sins, and we also must acknowledge ours. Jesus bore the punishment owed by His people and gave His life to secure their pardon. God raised Him from the dead. His completed saving work answers the guilt of His people once for all, and the LORD who hears the needy now welcomes them.

Turn from your sin and come to Jesus in faith. He forgives everyone who seeks His mercy. Tell Him the wrongs you have done as well as the wounds others have caused. Those who belong to Him may entrust justice to God and find reason for thanksgiving in the Saviour who knows their distress.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD hears His needy people and calls them to entrust justice and salvation to Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He hears the needy and that Jesus suffered to bring His people pardon. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

“Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time?’ But for this cause I came to this time.

John 12:27

Lord of mercy and justice, You know our sins and the hurts we struggle to speak about. Please bring us to Jesus for the pardon His finished work gives. Hear Your needy people and teach them to wait for Your righteous judgment. Thank You that Jesus knows suffering and rose victorious. Give us thankful hearts and hope in Your faithful salvation. Amen.