In this solemn and affecting Psalm, we listen to an utterance of the Son of Man. His soul passes through the sense of His sorrow, and the anticipation of the judgment of His persecutors, up to His resurrection and His kingdom in Zion in the latter day. We have the communion of the soul of Jesus with God, both as the one who was able to save Him from death (Heb. 5), and as the one who judgeth righteously (1 Peter 2). For He cries to the one, and commits the keeping of Himself to the other. And thus this Psalm illustrates those two things taught us by the Apostles in those two passages: so perfectly do the lights that shine in the old and new Scriptures, whether in the Psalms or Prophets, or in the Epistles or Apostles, blend together.
We may distribute it into the following sections or parts—Psa. 69:1-12. Jesus the Son of Man utters His sorrows.
NOTE—Psalm69:5 shows how He identified Himself with His elect (2 Cor. 5:21), and it is comfort to us to know that our sins have been thus confessed. And God knew the secret of all Jesus’ grief, though man did not. (See Isa. 53:4.) Psalm 69:6: He desires that none may be stumbled or offended because of His shame and sorrow (Matt. 11:6), but learn that it was borne for others. For the affliction of the righteous one will be an offense to them who do not understand and value this. His sorrows from the hand of man were for God’s glory in the world; His sorrows from the hand of God were for our atonement and salvation forever. Psalm 69:4 is quoted by the Lord Himself in John 15.
Psalm 69:13-18. He discloses His source of relief and support in these sorrows. As He says in another place, “for My love they are My adversaries; but I give Myself unto prayer.” He committed Himself to God (Psa. 109:4).
Psalm 69:19-28. He arraigns His Jewish persecutors and calls for judgment.
Note—This is accordingly the occasion of the present state of Israel. (See Rom. 11:8-10.) Judgment rests on them, their souls, bodies, and estate. Their system, as God’s witness, and God’s nation, is in ruins.
Psalm 69:29-31. He pleads for resurrection, making His vow of praise.
Note—“He was heard in that He feared,” or, “for His piety” (Heb. 5:7). He was delivered out of the pit, in one view of the resurrection, by His own virtue and holiness (Psa. 16:10). His people are delivered through His blood (Zech. 9:11, Heb. 13:20). But the great enemy is bound there (Rev. 20:1-3).
He will pay the vows He here makes. (See Psa. 116.) And this praise for resurrection is more grateful to God than sacrifices of oxen and bullocks in remembrance of sin. And it is in fellowship with Jesus in resurrection that the saints now worship. There they lay, as on a new altar, their sacrifices of praise. (Heb. 13:10,15.)
Psalm 69:32-36. He anticipates Israel’s repentance, and then the kingdom.
NOTE—“His prisoners” is the title for the Remnant (Zech. 9:11-12). Compare Psalm 69:32 with Psalm 22:26, where the Remnant are clearly intended. The common joy of heaven and earth, as attendant on the restoration of Zion to be the dwelling-place of His once poor but now enriched people, is sweetly anticipated.
Thus, in this very blessed Psalm, the spirit of Christ muses onward from His suffering up to the full joy of His expected kingdom.