The Haves And The Have-nots

Psalm 69:22-36

22Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare,

and let their security become a trap.

23Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,

and let their bodies grow weaker and weaker.

24Pour out your fury on them;

consume them with your burning anger.

25May their homes become desolate

and their tents be deserted.

26To those you have punished, they add insult to injury;

they scoff at the pain of those you have hurt.

27Pile their sins up high,

and don’t let them go free.

28Erase their names from the Book of Life;

don’t let them be counted among the righteous.

29I am suffering and in pain.

Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.

30Then I will praise God’s name with singing,

and I will honor him with thanksgiving.

31For this will please the LORD more than sacrificing an ox

or presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.

32The humble will see their God at work and be glad.

Let all who seek God’s help live in joy.

33For the LORD hears the cries of his needy ones;

he does not despise his people who are oppressed.

34Praise him, O heaven and earth,

the seas and all that move in them.

35For God will save Jerusalem

and rebuild the towns of Judah.

His people will live there

and take possession of the land.

36The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land,

and those who love him will live there in safety.

In the earlier part of Psalm 69, David detailed his sufferings. It’s clear he is being falsely accused by those who think that they are doing the right thing (see verse 4). In this last section, he asks God to turn the tables—to punish his powerful accusers and reward “humble” and “needy” people like himself.

This depiction of God as being concerned about the have-nots is a common theme in Scripture. David spoke about it over and over in the Psalms. We may not think of such a great king as having ever been poor, but David spent much of his preroyal life running from cave to cave. It seems that he was able to remember how much he needed God even amidst all the trappings of luxury.

Jesus also underscored this theme, especially in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). “God blesses those who realize their need for him. . . . those who mourn. . . . those who are gentle and lowly.” It’s the fulfillment of the promise in Psalm 69:32-33. God does hear the cries of the have-nots.

In any society—and sometimes even in the church—some people seem to have it all, while others are needy. The needy ones may be scorned and ignored, vilified and falsely accused, but if they call to the Lord to help them, he will hear them and bless them richly.

When we seek relief from a long-felt grief,

When oppressed by new temptations,

Lord, increase and perfect patience;

Show us that bright shore where we weep no more.

NIKOLAUS VON ZINZENDORF

Bible Networking

Contrast David’s response to persecution (verse 24) with Jesus’ response in Luke 23:34.

Notable Quotable

“David’s anger was fanned by his zeal for justice, which the Old Testament largely exists to keep before us; but Christ came to crown justice with atonement.”

DEREK KIDNER