Psalm 69c - Praise to God for His Goodness

Background

The focus of our psalm thus far has been lament and implication. In the first twelve verses, David delineated the unjust persecution he has been received from his enemies. He proclaimed his innocence in the face evil against him and pointed to his zeal for the Lord as the source of hatred against him. In the next six verses, he cried out to God for his current time to be one of God’s favor. He pleaded with God to answer him quickly. The next ten after that represented imprecation. David speaks of the Lord’s perfect knowledge of him and his adversaries. In some of the sharpest language we have seen he calls for the justice of God to be poured out upon his enemies. As we look at the last eight verses, there is a power shift in tone as we move from complaint to praise.

We can break this last section into X parts:

David’s final prayer for himself (v. 29)

David’s promise of and call for praise to God (vs. 30 - 34)

The future hope of Judah (vs. 35 - 36)

Verse 29: David has called for God’s wrath on his enemies. He has made the case that they are wicked and deserving of judgment from God. On the other hand, David is ill because of what he has suffered. He has endured physical and mental anguish. He asks for God to put him in a safe place, to be his ultimate security so his enemies can’t get to him

God is our ultimate protector. Nothing can happen to us unless He permits it. Our lives are completely in His arms and His purposes for us will be accomplished.

Verses 30 - 34: In response to the Lord’s goodness David will bring praise from the heart. He will lift us the name of the Lord for all to use. Whereas the wicked and unfaithful offer empty sacrifices, David will bring to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving (cf. ). What matters to the Lord is a heart submitted in true devotion to Him. In the NT Paul instructs us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice () Sacrifice for its own sake in meaningless. Those who are our low estate, that is the poor and humble who lack much will see both God’s goodness toward David praise. They will respond with hope and joy. Indeed, David calls for the hearts of the afflicted faithful to breathe new life. Those whom seek God can rejoice that God hears their cries. He has seen, knows, and cares for the plight of His people, likely speaking of the captive Israelites at this point. All heaven and earth can and should gives God praise for who He is and what he has done. For Christians today, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, together, and forever.

Verses 35 - 36: These two verses seem to be an adaptation from the exilic community. They were likely added after the fact and reflect the heart of the exilic community serving under the wicked nations that removed them from the land of promise. These wicked act as if they didn’t knowing wrong. The hope here seems to be that God will restore what was lost to His people.

Practical Application

As is often the case with lament psalms, the psalm writer doesn’t allow the psalm to conclude with despair. He ends with hope and praise. Why? He understands God will vindicate His people in the end. He knows that God sees and knows all things. He recognizes God’s essential goodness doesn’t change based on our lives and what we experience. He responds with confidence in what the Lord will do. This is what the believer must do. We can’t and shouldn’t allow our prayers to end in despair. The Lord hears (v. 33). He has never forgotten His people. He never will. In the end the Lord will do justice, show mercy, judge the unrepentant, and reward the faithful. Therefore we can have hope. Our God is faithful. He will do all He promised and He is with us, never leaving us nor forsaking us. Because of this we can give the Lord His due spiritual worship. Always end your prayers with praise. It will give needed hope in times of storm.