PSALM 69 - DELIVER ME

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 69, Read 1 Samuel 17-22, 2  Samuel 5, 6, 8, 11-15, 21&24

When David wrote this Psalm he was in deep distress. This could have been at many times in his life, for as we read his story in full, we have found that he had many reasons to cry out to the Lord for deliverance.

1. When Saul and his armies were chasing him and David had to go into hiding. (1 Samuel 18-22)

2. When he was was fighting those giants, the Philistines and many other enemies.
(1 Samuel 17&29); (2 Samuel 5, 8 &21)

3. When his own son Absalom was against him, trying to taking his his throne.  (2 Samuel 13-15)

4. But the hardest of all would have had to have been when facing his own inner battles with pride, guilt and temptation. (2 Samuel 6, 11-12, 24)

David discovered that God was his only help in these times of need. All he needed to do was reach out to Him.

"In my distress I prayed to you Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" Psalm 118:5-6 (NLT)

"I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4 (NIV)

"Prayer spawned David's success......"he strengthened himself in the Lord His God" (1 Samuel 30:6) When Saul's soldiers tried to capture him, David turned toward God....When David soaked His mind in God, He stood! When he didn't, he flopped! Do you think he spent much time praying the night he seduced Bathsheba? Did he write a psalm the night he murdered Uriah? Invite God's help. Pick up the stone of prayer/"  (Max Lucado, 2006)

"You have been my defense and refuge in my day of trouble."  Psalm 59:16  (NIV)

CRYING OUT TO THE LORD - Read Verses 1-12

The more David cried out to the Lord in his weariness, the more relief he received, and his faith and hope were strengthened. 

"Falling down is the first step to learning to walk." Bob Gass (2002)

David was God's chosen and blessed King. The enemy knew he had `God given potential', and he was out to stop him reaching it. Part of David's inner being was eager to serve God, but the other part, 'the sinful nature', needed to go to God daily for strengthening. In God's presence he was able to see himself as God saw him. 

"At the POINT OF REPENTANCE COMES RESTORATION. When God lifts you up your spirit is revived and your body, mind and emotions are healed. Prayer puts s shield of DIVINE PROTECTION around you. Don't live without it! " Bob Gass (2002)

Confession of sin is very serious. Our supplications need to be earnest. Only then, our pleas, like David's, can be POWERFUL.

"Save me, save me, O God, from sinking and despairing." Hebrews 5:7

Like David, we need to believe in God's restoring and healing power. We need to have a "zeal for God" and a reason for hope.

DAVID'S REQUESTS - Read Verses 13-21

In these next verses we read of David supplications:

1. "But I keep calling to you, Lord! I know you will bend down to listen to me, for now is the           season of favour. Because of your great love for me, your answer to my prayer will be my sure         salvation........Oh Lord God, answer my prayers! I need to see your tender kindness (mercies),         your grace, your compassion, and your constant love."    Psalm  69:13&16 (TPT)

David begins with a pleading for God's mercy and truth. He was very committed to a his servitude of the Lord and found it hard at times to cope with the `spiteful reproaches' he received when he fasted and prayed. We too often face these difficulties, but like David we should grasp God's grace and "continue to speak  well of God under these hardships."

Jesus pleaded for mercy from His Father, for He knew the reproach, shame and dishonour He would face. He knew that His enemies would soon stand before, but He is also knew that it was up to Him to take on the sins of the world on the cross, the sign of His Father's `mercy, grace, compassion and constant love.'

2. "Come running quickly to your servant. In this deep distress, come and answer my prayer. Set me free so my enemies cannot say that you are powerless.  Come closer as a friend and redeem me.....You know what I am going through, and you see it all."

 Psalm 69:17-19 (TPT)

David continually pleaded with the Lord when faced with distress and affliction. He remembered trials of the past, but most of all he remembered the victories. This gave him strength to face the future. 

"Write today's worries in sand, chisel tomorrow's victories in stone." Max Lucado  (2006)

Jesus knew that He would suffer his death on the cross, but He also knew the victory of His resurrection. 

3. "I was hungry and they gave me bitter food. I was thirsty and they offered me vinegar." 

       Psalm 69:21 (TPT)

David pleaded the unkindness of his friends and his disappointment in them. He was feeling hurt and let down. They had failed him, especially in times when he needed encouragement. 

Jesus would face this worse suffering of all as His true followers, His disciples, would forsake Him and leave Him at His time of need. 

We can't expect the same from God, for "He is our omnipresent Father of mercy and the God of all comfort and consolation."

PROPHECIES - Read Verses 22-29

These next verses are also prophecies for those Jews who were not only David's enemies, but would later be the crucifiers of Christ.

1. Their table would be a snare - they would live in fear. Their"feasts' would turn to ashes. They would be "feeble, trembling continually". 

2. They wouldn't have the comfort of peace, but would be blinded, "groping around in the dark.".

3. They would fall under God's anger and indignation. 

"Pour out your fury on them all! Consume them with the fire of your anger." Psalm 69:24 (TPT)

"Salvation cannot save those who are not willing to be ruled by it." Matthew Henry

4.Their nation would be in ruin. They would not only lose their homes, but their temple and their possessions. They would become "homeless and desolate". 

5. Those that are self willed and proud will not come into God's righteousness. They will be cut off from all hope of having happiness. Their `names will be blotted out of the book of life.'

"Pile on them the guilt of their sins! Don't let them ever go free! Leave them out of your list of the living! Blot them out of your Book of Life." Psalm 69:27&28  (TPT)

Matthew Henry Commentary, 2018, BlueLetterBible. 

Dr Brian Simmons, The Passion Translation, 2015, Broadstreet

JOY & PRAISE - Read Verses 30-36

David, as usual, concludes his psalm with praises, thanksgiving and songs of joy. 

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30 (NIV)

Often we treat THANKSGIVING as an extra in our time with God. Even though David was feeling down, a thankful heart was his key to entering God's presence. As he reflected on the events of his life, He was reminded that GOD WAS MERCIFUL, LOVING AND FAITHFUL.

'Sincere praise fans our small spark of faith into a large blaze.' God is our constant admiration. God is always at work in our lives, first, as we see in David's life, then as you draw Him to yourself. By resolving to praise God, David encourages his people to praise Him too. Acknowledging humble praises are more pleasing to God than costly sacrifices.

CONCLUSION

David had fought battles with giants, had run away and hid from his enemies, and had faced those inner demons of pride, guilt and temptation. Still, his faith remained strong in His Heavenly Father, because He continued to realize that God would always be with Him. All he needed to do was REACH OUT TO HIM for DELIVERANCE!

The Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011, Biblica

Simmons, Brian, "The Psalms - Poetry on Fire", The Passion Translation, 2005, Broadstreet.

Henry, Matthew, `Commentary on Psalm 69" ,2018, Blue Letter Bible.

Bass, Bob, 2002, "Help, I'm Being Tempted", Synergy Publishers. 

Lucado, Max, 2006, "Facing Your Giants - God Still Does the Impossible', Thomas Nelson