Psalm 69

The dangers that the Lord's worshipers face in this life are substantial. We cry out to God best when we are aware of our great need; when the flood is up to our necks and we have no other place to turn.

The best worshiper of God sweat drops of blood in faithful anguish, knowing what was ahead of Him. He asked His Father to provide another way to work the plan of salvation, if that were possible, but then He committed Himself again to the plan of the ages. The eternal counsels of the Almighty brought Jesus to the cross that secured our hope.

He was hated without a cause. We have faults and follies that we can own up to in any trial, but He had none. The death He died, He died for us.

Now we will not be put to shame. Our trust in Christ is well-founded. We seek the Father through the Son and are not disappointed. In facing reproach for us, Christ has willingly obeyed His Father to the very end. The plan of our redemption was accomplished to the glory of Almighty God.

The time came when even His family tried to stop Jesus as He fulfilled the miraculous signs of Messiah in the midst of overwhelming crowds. See Mark 3:20-21, 31-35. But zeal for the new temple of the Holy Spirit, the house of God, consumed Him.

He put His trust in His Father. Through death He found life again, not only for Himself, but for us. He was not saved from death; He was vindicated through resurrection.

The flood of our sin came over Him. Even the grave received Him. Yet this was all in perfect fulfillment of the eternal plan of both the Father and the Son, and now He has been glorified on high at the right hand of the Father. His death has become our ransom.

As those who sinned, we were His enemies, and deserved the curse of the Law that could have justly been heaped upon us. What is our plea, “Yes, guilty; but Christ died for me. The curse that I deserve fell on Him. This is His love for me.”

With this love, this innocence, this righteousness of Christ in mind, we turn toward the Lord now with grateful hearts. We recommit our lives to worship, and we are lifted up above the flood of deceptions and distractions all around us. In the house of the living God, in the worship of God through the Messiah, we offer up our lives and the praise of our lips in joyful song. The humble rejoice, and God is pleased.

Understand the mystery of Psalm 69:32 which reads, “When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.” What do the humble see? We see the suffering of Messiah as a historical fact that fits in with verse 29: “I am afflicted and in pain.” We hear His plee, “Let your salvation, O God, set me on high!” The Father has set Him on high! We confess the fact of the cross, but His resurrection from the dead in three days and His ascension into heaven are also facts that we confess. Therefore, knowing that Jesus lives and reigns, our hearts revive in the midst of our present afflictions. He suffered and was helped. We too shall rise.

Now may heaven and earth praise the Lord forever! God has saved Zion through the death and resurrection of the King of the Jews. His land shall be firmly established, and those who love His Name shall always dwell with Him in peace.