The Bible Says
Psalm 69:22-28 Meaning

As the psalm continues, David calls for divine judgment upon those who have turned against him: May their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, may it become a trap. (v. 22). Although these words sound harsh, they reflect the psalmist’s plea for God to intervene against those who foster destruction and injustice. In ancient biblical culture, the table often symbolized blessing and provision. King David prays that what his oppressors view as a source of prosperity would turn into the very means of their downfall. This plea in Psalm 69:22-28 highlights how the consequences of wrongdoing can be self—inflicted, especially when God’s people turn to Him for deliverance.

Building on this idea of reversal, David next portrays the snare as taking shape in the midst of supposed well—being. In situations where oppressors appear confident, David prays for those circumstances to be upended. Elsewhere in Scripture, we see how arrogance often precedes a fall, emphasizing the importance of humility and seeking God’s ways (Romans 11:9-10). These words offer insight into the psalmist’s trust that God will right all wrongs in His own timing.

The psalmist continues: May their eyes grow dim so that they cannot see, And make their loins shake continually. (v. 23). This plea focuses on the spiritual and moral blindness that can plague the oppressors. David calls for their inability to discern the truth, reflecting how persistent rebellion against God dulls one’s spiritual sight. In Scripture, blindness is often used metaphorically to represent an unwillingness to see God’s righteousness.

David also prays that fear and trembling—a result of ignoring God—would overtake them. The trembling in their loins symbolizes ongoing instability, showing how those who resist the Almighty never find true rest. These verses illustrate a growing desperation in David’s cry, but they also remind us that a reverent fear of the Lord leads to wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), while disregard for Him leads to uncertainty.

In a more direct expression, David implores God to react with wrath: Pour out Your indignation on them, And may Your burning anger overtake them. (v. 24). Here, the psalmist highlights the righteousness of divine justice. To cry for God’s indignation is to recognize that perfect judgment belongs to the Lord, who sees the hidden motives of every heart. In David’s era, as in ours, there is comfort in knowing that wrongdoing does not escape God’s notice.

The burning anger depicts the consuming nature of divine judgment upon persistent evil. While it may seem extreme, these prayers serve as a reminder that Israel’s King, during a turbulent period in biblical history, relies on God’s sovereignty rather than personal vengeance. Ultimately, the depth of David’s emotions points to human vulnerability and the need for a righteous Judge.

The next verse intensifies the separation from the wicked: May their camp be desolate; May none dwell in their tents. (v. 25). This image calls back to the communal existence of ancient Israel, where camps and tents represented a household’s security and lineage. David prays that those who do evil would be stripped of their perceived stability, leading to complete isolation.

Historically, a desolate camp meant loss of resources and protection. In arrow—pierced honesty, David asks God to remove the transgressors from any blessing they might otherwise enjoy. This is a stark reminder that continual rebellion carries severe consequences—a theme echoed throughout the Psalms and later reaffirmed by the teachings of Jesus, who warned that persistent rejection of God leads to spiritual and communal barrenness (Luke 13:34-35).

Shifting focus, David laments the injustice: For they have persecuted him whom You Yourself have smitten, And they tell of the pain of those whom You have wounded. (v. 26). This implies that David’s enemies mocked and exploited the psalmist’s suffering, even though his affliction was permitted by God. In the culture of David’s time, gloating over another’s pain was considered especially offensive, because it disregarded the sovereignty and purposes of the Lord.

The phrase whom You Yourself have smitten points to a deeper mystery: even within divine discipline, God’s hand remains on His chosen. David recognizes that sometimes his hardships originate from God’s corrective measures. Yet when enemies take advantage of that discipline, they sin against the One who orchestrates all events for higher purposes (Hebrews 12:6).

David then petitions: Add iniquity to their iniquity, And may they not come into Your righteousness. (v. 27). This is a plea that those who actively persist in evil would face the accumulating weight of their wrongdoings. The idea of iniquity piling upon itself underscores the seriousness of rebellion against God’s ways.

Not to come into God’s righteousness further underscores David’s longing to see those who refuse to repent face the consequences of steadily resisting divine truth. While it may sound like an unyielding stance, it communicates a biblical principle: without humility and repentance, individuals remain outside the covering of God’s grace. The psalm challenges us to consider how crucial it is to respond to God’s call rather than hardening our hearts.

Finally, David utters a sobering conclusion: May they be blotted out of the book of life And may they not be recorded with the righteous. (v. 28). This verse underscores the eternal dimension of judgment. The concept of the book of life resonates throughout Scripture, symbolizing God’s record of those who belong to Him (Revelation 20:15). In requesting that these evildoers not be part of that record, David highlights a somber reality: persistent refusal to follow God eventually excludes one from His covenant community.

For David, who stands historically as the second king of Israel, leading the nation around the turn of the first millennium BC, this prayer conveys the earnest desire for God’s holiness to prevail. Ultimately, we see a merging of divine mercy and justice in Scripture, culminating with Jesus’ invitation for all people to find life in Him (John 3:16). Even as we read these strong petitions, we remember that God patiently calls people to repentance, yet also upholds perfect righteousness.